Obama
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President Obama Bans Drilling in Over 100 Million Acres of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans
On December 20, 2016, President Obama announced that he was using his authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. §§ 1331 et seq.) to prohibit drilling and oil exploration in certain areas of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. Continue reading
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EPA Publishes Proposed Rule to Ban Certain Uses of TCE
On December 7, 2016, EPA published a proposed rule to ban certain uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) under section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) due to risks to human health from those uses. Continue reading
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En Banc D.C. Circuit Hears Oral Arguments in Clean Power Plan Challenge
On Tuesday, September 27, 2016, an en banc panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard nearly seven hours of oral arguments in one of the most significant environmental cases of the year: West Virginia v. EPA, Case No. 15-1363. This case involves more than 100 parties, who have filed dozens… Continue reading
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TSCA Reform Act Passed, Sent to the President for Signature
Late on June 7, 2016, the Senate voted in favor of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (HR 2576) (a/k/a the TSCA Reform Act). The TSCA Reform Act regulates the manufacture, transportation, sale and use of thousands of chemicals, and provides a much needed update to the 40 year old… Continue reading
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Frisbees, Flatulence and the Impact of Scalia’s Vacancy on Important Environmental Cases
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia undoubtedly had a significant impact on environmental law during his 30 years on the High Court. Known for his strong opinions and quotable prose, he often showcased both in opinions on environmental issues. Continue reading
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Supreme Court Grants Stay of Clean Power Plan
In an unusual step, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of EPA’s “Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units,” 80 Fed. Reg. 64,662 (October 23, 2015) (a/k/a “the Clean Power Plan”). Continue reading
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President Obama Appoints Water Czar to Address Flint Water Issues
Yesterday evening, the Department of Health and Human Services designated Dr. Nicole Lurie, an agency assistant secretary, to lead the federal government’s response to the elevated lead levels allegedly found in the drinking water being provided by the City of Flint, Michigan, to its residents. Continue reading
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Climate Change, Energy Addressed in State of the Union
While the President covered a wide range of topics, he spent time to discuss the often politicized and controversial topics of climate change and alternative energy. Continue reading