March 31, 2021
by Drew Robertson
Air
Climate change
Litigation
Public Lands
State and Local
By Alec Williams, Managing Editor
After a record-breaking wildfire season in 2020, lawsuits are likely to flood the dockets of federal and state courts across the United States. Wildfire liability determinations at either level can be complex, typically implicating many parties and exorbitant damage awards. However, in light of the projected impact of climate change on wildfire frequency and severity, such lawsuits may become increasingly commonplace.
December 1, 2020
by Scott Fletcher
State and Local
Water
By: Alexander Collingsworth, Staff Contributor
Residents of Flint, Michigan will likely receive some compensation soon for the poisoning of their drinking water. In August, the state of Michigan settled claims against it and Michigan officials, including former Governor Rick Snyder, for $600 million. What are the implications of the Michigan Supreme Court decision that opened the way for this settlement? And how much money are individual residents likely to see?
October 20, 2020
by Alec Williams
Air
Climate change
Fossil Fuels
State and Local
By Camden Douglas, Staff Contributor
On September 23, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newson issued an executive order[1] that is expected to reduce the impact of climate change by drastically transforming the State's transportation industry. California experiences many unique climate change-related problems. For instance, as a result of climate change, the duration of California's wildfire season has more than doubled since 1980.[2] Indeed, this year, California is experiencing a record-breaking burn,[3] with wildfires scorching millions of acres of land.[4] The executive order, in an attempt to attenuate some of these climate change-related impacts on the State, requires all new passenger vehicles sold in California to be zero-emission by 2035, effectively banning the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles in just fifteen years.[5]
April 29, 2020
by De Vann Sago
Climate change
International
State and Local
By Jie Yang, Managing Editor for Development
February 26, 2020
by Sara Douki
Energy
Fossil Fuels
Natural Resources
Oil and Gas
Renewable Energy
State and Local
Water
Gabriel Dowdell, Staff Contributor
Should the EPA regulate fracking more heavily? Currently, states that benefit financially from fracking regulate the industry.
February 13, 2020
by Maxwell Unterhalter
Renewable Energy
State and Local
By Kayla Steinberg, Staff Contributor
In July 2019, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that the state’s Public Service Commission has the final say on the siting of solar and wind energy projects, prompting concerns by local governments over how to protect farmland from development.
April 26, 2019
by Caitlin Meagher
State and Local
By Ilse P. Johnson, Staff Contributor.
Whether a project is one of “special merit” is often a “tug of war” among preservationists, developers, neighbors, and the community-at-large. One way to tug towards special merit status is to incorporate eco-friendly features into the new development.
March 18, 2019
by Alexander Pappas
State and Local
Water
By Catherine Schluter, Staff Contributor
Pork is a big part of the American diet, but pig farming has serious environmental and human health consequences. North Carolina is one of the biggest pork producers in the country, but its state legislature, like many other states, is putting pork profits over sufficient protections.
November 15, 2018
by De Vann Sago
Climate change
Public Lands
State and Local
Water
By Ryan Levandowski, Staff Contributor. As rising sea levels threaten California’s coast, the state’s characteristic beaches have become a battleground for homeowners, cities, and state regulatory agencies. Because coastal adaptation policies often pit preservation of public beaches against private property rights, recent litigation over the issue has posed a difficult question for courts: Who should (literally) give ground?
October 17, 2018
by Samuel Ruddy
Climate change
State and Local
By Cecilia Turchetti, Staff Contributor
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Houston has continued to develop at an incredible rate. Historically, the city and its residents have strongly opposed zoning, but development in floodplains has sparked a debate about how expansion should look for the booming city. How can Houston continue to grow while ensuring the safety of its residents?
