Environmental
Law Profs Issue Takedown of Decision Striking Fracking Rule
News
The 36 professors take issue with the lower court’s interpretation of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, writes E&E Publishing reporter Ellen M. Gilmer.
Supreme Court’s Environmental and Administrative Law Decisions in 2015-2016 Term
Insight
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman has posted a client advisory reporting on some of the significant U.S. Supreme Court actions from January through June 2016 related to environmental and administrative law.
Nuclear Waste Policy: Defining the Problem, Searching for Solutions
On-Demand
The Council of State Governments has posted a two-part series of on-demand webinars exploring the status of nuclear waste management in the United States
Chevron’s Pollution Victory Opens Door for Companies to Shirk Foreign Verdicts
News
Corporations seeking to avoid enforcement of foreign judgments they contend are based on corrupt proceedings may have a new weapon now, thanks to a ruling by a federal appeals court over Chevron’s long-running Ecuadorian pollution litigation, reports BloombergBusinessWeek.
Managing Catastrophic Events: What to Expect With Incident Investigation Reports
On-Demand
Norton Rose Fulbright has posted an on-demand video from a recent webinar that discusses best responses for companies dealing with sudden catastrophic events.
A.M. Best Webinar Examines Legal, Insurance Ramifications of Lead Injuries
Event, August 3, 2 p.m. EDT
A panel of legal and insurance professionals will discuss the sources of lead injury claims, developing liability issues and the industry impact of lead-based claims.
Report: VW to Pay About $10.2B to Settle Emissions Claims
News
USA Today is reporting that German automaker Volkswagen Group is expected to deliver a $10 billion settlement to cover government fines and compensate owners of vehicles fitted with software that cheated emissions standards.
Could $200 Billion Tobacco-Type Settlement Be Coming Over ‘Climate Change?’
News
Seventeen state attorneys general are investigating whether fossil fuel companies mislead investors in public disclosures about the risks associated with climate change, reports Bloomberg.
New Judge, Same Result – $81 Million CWA Civil Penalty Appealed
News
The Fifth Circuit’s response to CITGO’s second appeal may provide guidance on whether these types of judgments could be a trend in future Clean Water Act enforcement actions.
Judge: Substantial Progress in Volkswagen Emissions Talks
News
The Associated Press is reporting that Volkswagen and attorneys for vehicle owners affected by the company’s emissions cheating scandal are on target to meet a June deadline for a final settlement proposal, a federal judge said Tuesday.
Agreement to Arbitrate May Not Require a Written Contract
Article
From two different courts in two different states on two very different claims come the same concept: an agreement to arbitrate may be binding even without a signed contract, according to a report by Stan Martin on the Commonsense Construction Law website.
Environmental Attorney Laura Whiting Joins Gardere’s Dallas Office
News
Environmental lawyer Laura Whiting has joined Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP as a partner in the firm’s Dallas office.
U.S. State Prosecutors Met With Climate Groups As Exxon Probes Expanded
News
A coalition of U.S. state attorneys general received guidance from well-known climate scientists and environmental lawyers in March as some of them opened investigations into Exxon Mobil for allegedly misleading the public about climate change risks, documents seen by Reuters showed, Reuters is reporting.
Texas Power Players Sit Out Political Opposition to Clean Power Plan
Article
Some Texas energy companies are not joining the effort to block the Obama administration from implementing its new clean power regulations, reports Mose Buchele for NPR.
Significant New Safety Requirements Proposed for Natural Gas Pipelines
Article
The proposed rule could expand the definition of regulated gathering lines, accelerate pipeline repairs, and set a higher bar for data gathering and analysis of risk, among other changes.
The Plaintiffs’ Lawyer Chasing VW
News
Elizabeth Cabraser’s eloquence and focus on the clients contrasted with dozens of others who pitched the judge to lead the massive case against Volkswagen, bragging about their most recent newspaper awards, school credentials and trial prowess.
Where Oil is King – When State and Local Fracking Rules Clash
White Paper
Municipalities may be able to ensure compliance with environmental regulations by oil and gas companies and minimize some of the environmental harms associated with fracking, even when they cannot enact outright bans on the practice.
Texas Lawyers Sued for Allegedly Bankrolling BP Spill Scam
News
Plaintiffs blame the lawyers in part for obstructing their efforts to pursue their own claims for payments under BP’s restitution program for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Judge Gives Volkswagen a Month to Present Diesel Compliance Plan
NEWS
Volkswagen has been given until March 24 to present an acceptable fix for bringing nearly 600,000 diesel cars into compliance with clean air laws, reports DW Akademie.
Taylor Energy Executive Blames Decade-Old Oil Leak on ‘Act Of God’
NEWS
A decade-old oil leak that could last for another century was caused by an “act of God” during a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, the president of the company responsible said Wednesday.
