Introduction - Continuing the regulatory whiplash over greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from power plants, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed repealing the Biden administration’s GHG...more
On June 11, 2025, the US Environmental Protection Agency, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, proposed repealing two key Biden–Harris-era rules targeting greenhouse gas and air toxic emissions from fossil fuel–fired power plants....more
Two weeks ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed repeal of the rules governing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants. Included within the proposal is a new legal...more
On June 11, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") issued a proposed rule to repeal all greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired electric generating units ("EGUs") under § 111 of the...more
The methodology outlines a three-step approach for obtaining credits: retirement of coal-fired power plants, generation of replacement renewable electricity, and assurance of a just transition....more
The Trump administration is proposing two repeals: one on regulations of power plants and the other on certain amendments to the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. The administration believes these regulations have...more
Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lee Zeldin on June 11, 2025, announced a proposed rule titled “Repeal of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units.” In...more
The National Environmental Protection Act ("NEPA") requires that federal agencies assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making final decisions, including decisions on issuing federal permits,...more
In welcome news for developers and stakeholders in new carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and fossil-fueled energy transition projects, on 22 May 2025, England’s Court of Appeal dismissed an application for...more
In the latest NEPA news, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the withdrawal of its interim guidance on “Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate...more
A local state court in Pennsylvania recently dismissed an array of climate tort claims brought against major fossil fuel companies by a local government--in this case, Bucks County. Among the three dozen or so climate tort...more
As we have noted previously, a number of states have enacted legislation and/or brought claims against fossil fuel producers seeking payment for damages resulting from climate change. Legislative efforts include New York...more
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a series of federal lawsuits against four states—New York, Vermont, Michigan and Hawaii—alleging that recent legislative and enforcement efforts to hold fossil fuel companies...more
A group of 24 Republican AGs, along with several trade associations, sued Vermont over the state’s Climate Superfund Act, which authorizes the state to levy billions of dollars in fines on fossil fuel companies for alleged...more
President Trump’s executive orders prioritize energy production from fossil fuels and pause both onshore and offshore wind projects....more
On April 8, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14260, Protecting American Energy From State Overreach. Framed as part of the Administration’s broader strategy of unleashing American energy, the Order directs...more
A Peruvian farmer's climate action lawsuit against a German energy company was continued recently before the Higher Regional Court in Hamm, Germany....more
On December 26, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Climate Change Superfund Act (“CCSA” or the “Act”) into law. The law requires certain fossil fuel producers and refiners with sufficient connections to New York...more
A coalition of industry associations and 22 state attorneys general (AG), led by West Virginia AG JB McCuskey, filed a lawsuit against the State of New York in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York...more
In California's continuing war on businesses, a legislator recently introduced a bill to enact the "Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025", AB 1243 (Addis). This bill would establish the a program to be administered by...more
In December 2024, the State of New York enacted the “Climate Change Superfund Act,” which would impose retroactive fines on fossil fuel producers for greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. (New York was...more
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison has obtained an order denying in large part motions to dismiss filed by defendants ExxonMobil Corp., the American Petroleum Institute, Koch Industries, Inc., Flint Hills Resources LP, and Flint...more
As climate adaptation and mitigation costs escalate, a wave of state climate superfund legislation is emerging across the United States. This novel approach to climate accountability, pioneered by Vermont and New York,...more
A group of 22 Republican AGs, along with several coal, oil, and gas companies and industry trade associations, sued New York over the state’s Climate Superfund Act, which authorizes the state to levy billions of dollars in...more
On December 26, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law S02129B, also known as the New York Climate Change Superfund Act (Act). This law is modeled after the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,...more