Environmental
Subcontractors Sue Valero Over Explosion at Texas City Refinery
News
The workers are seeking damages based on claims that they suffered orthopedic injuries and hearing loss from the accident and are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, reports the San Antonio Business Journal.
Renewable Energy Deals Targeted for More Scrutiny in New Trade Report
Insight
Even investments in renewable energy businesses may be affected by this broadening of interest in the industry, and should be considered by parties as part of deal due diligence and negotiations of investment and acquisition agreements, according to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
Judge Dismisses Exxon’s Lawsuit, Letting Multi-State Fraud Investigation Continue
News
A U.S. district judge in New York on Thursday dismissed Exxon’s lawsuit claiming officials in New York and Massachusetts conspired with environmental groups in planning the securities-fraud probe.
Hunton & Williams Adds Daniel J. Grucza to Environmental Practice
News
Former energy and chemical company lawyer Daniel J. Grucza has joined Hunton & Williams LLP as counsel in Atlanta.
Global Warming Public Nuisance Actions Will Stay in Federal Court
News
The cities claim that the companies, despite knowing of the risks associated with climate change and global warming, continued to produce and sell their products to the public that uses fossil fuels.
Exxon’s Response to Climate-Change Case: Sue the Lawyers
News
One expert asks: Does Exxon really need these depositions or is Exxon seeking the depositions to harass mayors and city attorneys into dropping their lawsuits?
Top 10 Environmental Lawyer Joins Boutique Law Firm
News
Jennifer Nijman and Susan Franzetti announce the addition of E. Lynn Grayson, to Nijman · Franzetti LLP of Chicago.
Chevron Fights California Cities’ Climate-Change Lawsuits With ‘Creative Lawyering’
News
Adding foreign companies to the litigation is a tactical maneuver to keep the dispute out of state court, where the cities have more favorable prospects, and force it into federal court, reports The Los Angeles Times.
Does the Insurance Policy Incorporate the Service Contract by Reference? An Examination of In Re Deepwater Horizon
Insight
A Steptoe & Johnson article takes a look at the way additional insured coverage under an insurance policy is analyzed when there is an underlying drilling contract limiting the additional insured coverage to the scope of the liability assumed in the service contract.
Sidley Adds Environmental Partner in Houston
News
Heather Palmer has joined Sidley Austin LLP in its Houston office as a partner in its Environmental practice. She joins Sidley from Bracewell LLP.
Environmental Attorney Dorothy Watson Returns to Foley in Orlando
News
Foley & Lardner LLP announced that Dorothy Watson has rejoined the firm’s Environmental Regulation practice as of counsel in the Orlando office.
Oil Majors Face Lawsuits on Climate Change Issues
News
The plaintiffs hold the fossil fuel companies accountable for rising sea levels, changing landscapes, higher global temperatures and increased risk of storms and droughts, Zacks reports.
Litigating Climate Change: An Overview of Suits Against the Oil and Gas Industry
Event, Oct. 18, 2017, 1 p.m. EDT
The Institute for Energy Law will present a webinar discussing the various climate change-based lawsuits and current trends in climate change litigation.
Alabama Lawyers, Coal Executive Indicted On Bribery Charges
News
Two partners in prominent Alabama law firm Balch & Bingham have been placed on indefinite leave after named on charges including conspiracy and bribery, the AP reports.
Trump Administration Working Toward Renewed Drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
News
The Trump administration is quietly moving to allow energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for the first time in more than 30 years, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post, with a draft rule that would lay the groundwork for drilling.
BLM Proposes Rescission of 2015 Hydraulic Fracturing Rule
News
The Bureau of Land Management has announced its recommendation that the hydraulic fracturing rule from 2015 entitled, “Oil and Gas; Hydraulic Fracturing on Federal and Indian Lands,” be rescinded, reports Fox Rothschild.
Suit for Bad Frac Job Requires a Certificate of Merit
Insight
Gray Reed & McGraw’s Energy & the Law Blog discusses a case that asked whether a court must dismiss an engineering defect lawsuit filed without a certificate of merit with prejudice or may dismiss without prejudice.
A New Start for U.S. Offshore Oil, Gas Drilling?
Podcast
A podcast from the Center on Global Energy Policy discusses the latest executive order on offshore oil and gas drilling and what political and legal challenges the order will face.
Sidley Expands Environmental Practice in Washington, D.C.
News
Sidley Austin LLP announced that Richard Alonso has joined the firm as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office. He will be a member of the firm’s Environmental practice.
The Nation’s First Legislative Fracking Ban Is on the Books
Podcast
In an episode of Kane Russell Coleman Logan’s energy law podcast, director Tom Ciarlone discusses the nation’s first legislative fracking ban.
