Giffords, Grijalva move to stymie Rosemont Mine Jun 16, 2009
Gabrielle Giffords and Raul Grijalva, both Democrats from Arizona, sent a letter Monday to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack saying, we ask that you direct the Forest Service to remain open to the possibility that their analysis will result in a no action recommendation, as stipulated under federal environmental law ... Opponents include the owners of Farmers Investment Co., Dick and Nan Walden, who have hired prominent environmental lawyers and expect a court fight after the Forest Service... (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
University pledges fewer carbon emissions Jun 16, 2009
Purchasing carbon offsets means that after reducing carbon emissions by a certain amount, a company would offset the rest of the carbon they could not reduce by planting trees or supporting renewable energy sources, said Arnold Reitze, a professor emeritus of environmental law at the GW Law School. A Renewable Energy Certificate is proof that a company purchased their energy from a renewable source, like wind or solar power, Reitze added. (GW Hatchet, Washington DC)
Combative lawyer aims to protect the planet Jun 6, 2009
But James Thornton, founder of the environmental law firm Client Earth, has done both. His inspiration comes in part from a meeting years ago with the Dalai Lama, who advised him that environmentalists should meditate, because "solutions never come from an angry mind". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
State appealing Juneau road call Jun 6, 2009
Sedwick decided that the Federal Highway Administration violated federal environmental laws by failing to consider an alternative that used existing state ferries ... The case against the road was brought by the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, which was represented by Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm. (Juneau Empire)
PCS Phosphate gets mining permit (608) Jun 6, 2009
The Southern Environmental Law Center had yet to review the decision, but was wary of the permit. Center lawyer Derb Carter said he hoped to be surprised by the decision when he does review it. (Washington Daily News, NC)
Judge Delays NY Water Bottle Deposits Until April Jun 3, 2009
"We are using all options legislative and judicial to ensure that the state can implement this vital environmental law as soon as possible," Paterson spokeswoman Erin Duggan said Tuesday. She did not elaborate. (ABC News -- Wire)
Australia, Singapore renew troop treaty Jun 1, 2009
Mr Fitzgibbon said the new treaty, though substantially similar to the current treaty, includes additional references to domestic legislation to further clarify responsibilities under local environmental law. "This year marks the 20th anniversary of Singapore's use of Shoalwater Bay Training Area for Exercise Wallaby and it is fitting that we were able to renew this treaty," he said in a statement. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Record 25 apply for Supreme Court May 31, 2009
One, Palmer Superior Court Judge Eric Smith, during the 1980s was executive director of the environmental law firm Trustees for Alaska, which has had disputes with Palin. The other, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Morgan Christen, was on the board of Planned Parenthood in the mid-1990s, an abortion rights group that's been on the opposite side of Palin on issues. (Anchorage Daily News)
On the road to freedom: An original musical drama at First Presbyterian Church tells a story of the Underground Railroad in Racine May 30, 2009
It s about how small acts of goodness and commitment to others really can change a life, said Hall, who is also an attorney specializing in litigation, environmental law and elder care, as well as a mother of two. Community effort. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Green is in, read on May 30, 2009
It is no accident that Esty, a Yale professor who specialises in environmental law and policy, and Winston, a consultant on green business, have chosen a title that echoes Jim Collins business classic, Good to Great. The two books are similar in that they examine companies that are on the right track and explain what differentiates them from the rest. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
PUC adopts renewable connection standards May 29, 2009
The standards create a consistent statewide process, letting residents and small businesses avoid the uncertainty and costs of the previous patchwork of regulations, according to the Environmental Law y Center. The Sioux Falls-based center provided technical expertise and advice to the commission since the rule-making process began in 2007. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Uncertainties Abound Amid Uncharted Legal Territory Related To Eco-Friendly Construction Projects May 27, 2009
"And that is because the same macroeconomic factors that have been so visible this year -- as reflected in the extreme volatility in gas prices and the capital markets -- also tend to have a moderating impact over time. Not so long ago, many observers still wondered whether the green movement that emerged in recent years, in part because of rising concern about global warming, would follow historical precedent and quickly fade. "Memories of the early 1990s are still strong, noted Kosch, a... (RealtyTimes)
Tasmanian devils listed as endangered May 23, 2009
The upgrade from "vulnerable" under Australian environmental law entitles the world's largest marsupial carnivore to greater protection in the island state of Tasmania, Environment Minister Peter Garrett said in a statement. Devils do not exist in the wild outside Tasmania, although mainland zoos are breeding captive populations as a strategy against total extinction. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Australia: Tasmanian Devils Listed As Endangered May 22, 2009
The upgrade from "vulnerable" under Australian environmental law entitles the world's largest marsupial carnivore to greater protection in the island state of Tasmania, Environment Minister Peter Garrett said in a statement. (). (Time.com)
Energy capital may also become carbon trading central May 22, 2009
Many other major companies, as well as the law firms that service them, have been interested in carbon trading expertise for some time now, says Tracy Hester, a partner at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP and head of the firm s environmental law section in Houston. I see practices already being reshaped by climate trading, Hester says. (Houston Business Journal, TX)
CNNF wins Fishel case May 22, 2009
The case, filed by Habitat Education Center and Environmental Law and Policy Center, is the third consecutive favorable ruling for the CNNF.. Goodsteins decision on issues about public participation in the Forest Services environmental analysis process means that the CNNF is able to move forward with implementing the Fishel Project. (Forest Republican, WI)
Surfrider 8th on Heal the Bay's Beach Bummer list (3) May 21, 2009
"Paradise Cove routinely receives an "F" rating in the annual reports; The Kissel Co., owner of the Paradise Cove Mobilehome Park, was assessed a fine of 1.65 million in February for its repeated discharge of raw sewage and failure to submit monitoring reports.The good news is that some local beaches appear to be healthy. Zuma Beach rated an "A+" for dry year-round assessments, including the important April through October data-gathering period required by AB 411, a 1999 environmental law that... (Malibu Times, CA)
Letters for Tuesday, May 19, 2009 (1000) May 20, 2009
We have not spoken to the major landholders for available land and we are not environmental law attorneys. We are Kaua i residents, who can see the bigger picture. (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Groups Attempt to Educate Georgians About Dangers of Proposed Plant Washington May 20, 2009
And, according to a guide map prepared by the Southern Environmental Law Center based on a 2008 Georgia report on guidelines for eating fish from Georgia waters, sections of four rivers in the 62 mile range of Sandersville already contain mercury in excess of state water quality standards ... The proposed Plant Washington supported by Power4Georgians is projected to use up to 16 million gallons of water a day from ground water sources and surface water from the Oconee River, according to the... (Dublin Courier Herald, GA)
Obama to unveil most aggressive auto fuel standards May 19, 2009
California had sought a waiver from federal environmental law to impose its own regulations to cut auto emissions but Bush administration would not permit it. Also, auto companies sued to stop California on grounds the initiative would create a patchwork of rules if other states followed suit instead of a single national fuel efficiency standard. (Scientific American)
Work on Wawona camp can proceed May 16, 2009
He said Mariposa County had not followed California environmental law in approving the project. The county should have required Adventists to consider a smaller project, according to the complaint. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Trump Strikes Back in Co-Op Fight Over Unpaid Rent May 16, 2009
The Am Law connection was Andrew Perel, who, when not heading Trump Plaza's co-op board or suing The Donald, is an environmental law partner at. Never knowing Trump to be one to back down from a fight, we were hardly surprised when we learned that his company fired back on Thursday. (Law.com)
Stormwater Committee needs members May 15, 2009
Appointments to the Stormwater Advisory Committee will first be made from interested members of the liaison boards and committees listed above, then from volunteers from the community, with preference given to people with relevant professional qualifications, including licensed professional engineers in hydrological or environmental specialties, architects and attorneys specializing in environmental law, and public relations professionals. Interested candidates are requested to submit a letter... (Cohasset Mariner, MA)
Trump the Tenant Misses Rent, Trump the Co-op Sues the Gent May 14, 2009
Leading the charge to remove Trump from the properties is Andrew Perel, the president of the co-op, Trump Plaza Owners Inc. When he's not suing Donald Trump, Perel works as an environmental law partner at. "The funny part of it is what one of his internal lawyers must have done years ago," Perel says. (Law.com)
Steve Jobs wins 6-1 vote for demolition permit May 14, 2009
Douglas Carstens, an environmental law attorney from Santa Monica, countered that the newspaper ads never said the house was for sale, nor did they mention a "reasonable contribution" from Jobs to defray the costs of the move. The size of that contribution, initially put at $500,000 by Town Manager Susan George, has been a point of contention with preservationists, who have suggested $5 million as a starting point. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
W.R. Grace trial verdict: Not guilty on all charges May 9, 2009
The jurors gave 10 1/2 weeks of their lives, and performed an essential public service in hearing and deciding the case based on the evidence before them, said Uhlmann, now director of the Environmental Law and Policy Program at the University of Michigan. It's unfortunate that so much evidence was withheld from the jury by the district court's evidentiary rulings, including some of the most compelling internal memos written by W.R. Grace officials about the harmful effects of their mining... (Missoulian, MT)
Corps’ decision hopefully portends end of PCS permit process May 9, 2009
According to Derb Carter, with the Southern Environmental Law Center which represents a coalition of environmental groups in the matter, including the Washington-based Pamlico-Tar River Foundation the organization will push the EPA to fight to limit the proposed PCS expansion. Though environmental groups are well-justified to push for protecting wetlands, we d like to see this process finally end. (Washington Daily News, NC)
PCS decision solicits different reactions May 8, 2009
Derb Carter, with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said the decision wasn t good and wasn t a surprise. The real surprise would have been if the Corps had determined that more needed to be done to protect the environment, Carter said. (Washington Daily News, NC)
• Snowmobile groups sue over lynx habitat May 7, 2009
Geoff Hickcox, lawyer with the Western Environmental Law Center in Durango, Colo. said Wednesday that the group expects to file its lawsuit as soon as its required 60-day notice of intent to sue period expires in coming weeks. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Dinsmore opens office in Kentucky capitol May 6, 2009
Dinsmore said the arrival of the firm s new partners should boost its capabilities in government affairs, regulatory and administrative areas and environmental law. Dinsmore has more than 400 attorneys and 11 offices company-wide. (Columbus Business First, OH)
Amazon Crude May 5, 2009
That would make it the largest environmental lawsuit in history ... I am familiar with this story as it is the largest environmental law suit in history. (CBS News)
Don't Avoid Budget Discussion Like the Swine Flu May 4, 2009
In other words, any individual can sue any person, company, or government agency and extract a settlement with far more ease than under current environmental laws. Bruce Benson of the property and Environment Research Center says in a 2006 Wall Street Journal opinion editorial that the current, more-stringent laws already amount to "environmental bounty hunting, noting that settlements bring in money environmental groups can use to pursue other goals. Such lawsuits have been labeled "the engine... (Human Events Online)
Concordia to offer 'green' MBA May 2, 2009
The concentration will include core MBA courses and five of six courses selected from the following class offerings: green sustainability, environmental chemistry, limnology (water quality), current topics in environmental studies, ecology and environmental law. To be true to our university mission, we need men and women who are good stewards of the earth in business, said David Borst, dean of the School of Business and Legal Studies at Concordia. (Milwaukee Business Journal, WI)
Editorial: Ho-hum on the economy Apr 30, 2009
And if employers happen to run afoul of an environmental law, the attorney general wants to put them in jail. (hh). (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Top Entertainment Transaction Group Joins Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro, LLP Apr 28, 2009
Offering legal services in most practice areas, including litigation, corporate law, real estate, taxation, international business transactions, intellectual property and environmental law, the firm represents many prominent corporate and individual clients engaged in commerce, manufacturing, financial services and trade, with clients located in California and in countries around the world. Additionally, the firm is an acknowledged leader among law firms in the gaming/hotel/resort/ and... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Radicals Run Obamaland Apr 28, 2009
Jonathon Z. Cannon -- Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: Cannon, who worked for the EPA s General Counsel for Litigation under Bill Clinton, has focused his career on environmental law issues and was a campaign contributor to the presidential campaigns of John Kerry and Barack Obama. Steven Chu -- Secretary of Energy: The former University of California at Berkeley professor and Nobel laureate calls himself a friend of former Vice President Al Gore and supports shutting... (Human Events Online)
High stakes in Hurricane Katrina flooding trial Apr 20, 2009
"The claims are not new, nor is the defense new, but their application is novel in two ways: One, the size of the stakes and, two, the amount of the alleged negligence and malfeasance," said Oliver Houck, environmental law professor at Tulane University. The outcome of the trial may pivot on technical arguments. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Congress weighs far-reaching global warming bill Apr 20, 2009
WASHINGTON The last time Congress passed major environmental laws, acid rain was destroying lakes and forests, polluted rivers were on fire and smog was choking people in some cities ... We had two decades of extraordinary legislation and almost two decades of nothing, said Richard Lazarus, a Georgetown University law professor and author of The Making of Environmental Law ... Unlike the 1970s, when the first environmental laws passed nearly unanimously, Republicans are opposed. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Lawmakers start work on global warming bill Apr 19, 2009
WASHINGTON - The last time Congress passed major environmental laws, acid rain was destroying lakes and forests, polluted rivers were on fire and smog was choking people in some cities ... "We had two decades of extraordinary legislation and almost two decades of nothing," said Richard Lazarus, a Georgetown University law professor and author of "The Making of Environmental Law." "If this one passes, it will certainly be an outburst." ... Unlike the 1970s, when the first environmental laws... (MSNBC -- Environment)
Obama names Portland in vision for high-speed rail network Apr 19, 2009
Howard Learner, president of the Chicago-based Environmental Law and Policy Center, a group promoting the rail network, said that with about $2 billion of the stimulus money they could complete or upgrade lines linking Chicago with St. Louis, Detroit and Milwaukee-Madison. "It's a way of solving our global warming problems that also creates jobs and provides a boost to the economy," he said. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR)
Sentencing of McWane Corp. Executives Expected Monday Apr 18, 2009
A 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation of massive OSHA and environmental violations at McWane plants in five states revealed some of the worst examples of criminal employer misconduct in the 35-year history of the OSHAct as well as multiple environmental laws ... Despite a worker death, massive worker safety and health violations, and corporate obstruction of the investigation by the US Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Justice Department was able... (PR Newswire)
Environmentalists Lose Lawsuit Over Virginia Coal Plant (12:54 p.m.) Apr 18, 2009
Cale Jaffe, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said opponents of the $1. 8 billion project still hope to overturn the plant's air emission permits. (WTVR.com, VA)
U.S.: Warming gases are health threat Apr 18, 2009
The EPA should be required "to follow up with standards under the Clean Air Act, the nation's most effective environmental law, to curb carbon pollution from our cars, power plants and other industrial sources," said David Doniger, climate policy director at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Frank O'Donnell, director of Clean Air Watch, said he expected federal limits on "emissions from the biggest sources, including power plants and motor vehicles.". (MSNBC -- Environment)
Law firms building anew Apr 17, 2009
The initiative also includes attorneys who focus on environmental law. Real estate that s distressed mostly involves a property that isn t producing income, whether through loan payments or rental or lease income. (Columbus Business First, OH)
Iowa Senate rejects coal power plant foe for state board Apr 17, 2009
"As President of Plains Justice, a Cedar Rapids-based environmental law center, Ms. La Seur has raised money and brought forth litigation intended to stop the construction of that plant as well as others like it," he added. She also was a leading opponent of LS Power's now-defunct proposal to build a coal-fired power plant in Waterloo. (Waterloo Courier, IO)
Species protections debated amid water shortage Apr 16, 2009
Farmers face long odds in their drive to loosen strict environmental laws that have aggravated the Valley's water shortage ... Democratic congressional leaders support existing key environmental laws ... George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, introduced a bill to exempt two federal pumping plants near Livermore and Tracy from the environmental law during drought emergencies. (Fresno Bee)
Senate rejects Power Fund nominee Apr 16, 2009
"As President of Plains Justice, a Cedar Rapids-based environmental law center, Ms. La Seur has raised money and brought forth litigation intended to stop the construction of that plant as well as others like it," he added. "She has ignored the guidelines and intent outlined by the governor and the Legislature for the Iowa Power Fund and instead pushed the power fund to become a policy making institution instead of its original intent to expand energy production in Iowa," McKinley said in his... (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Making the desert bloom Taxpayers paid over $687M since 2007 to big agri-business so it could happen Apr 16, 2009
"If farmers' business model depends on getting taxpayer-subsidized water to grow taxpayer-subsidized crops and they still say they have a hard time making it, there's something wrong," said Bill Walker, campaign director for the Oakland-based environmental law firm Earthjustice. "Why do we let them buy water so cheap?". (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ)
Iowa Senate rejects Gessow to head DHS Apr 16, 2009
Republicans said they opposed the appointment because La Seur heads a Cedar Rapids-based environmental law center that had opposed construction of a coal-fire power plant in Marshalltown. "She has ignored the guidelines and intent outlined by the governor and the legislature," said McKinley. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Your Week: Delia's Pick April 15 Apr 16, 2009
Other sponsors of this event include Suffolk Sustainability, Environmental Law Society and Suffolk University Environmental Club. The presentation will take place in the Amenities Center (first floor 73 Tremont). (The Suffolk Journal, MA)
Hawaii land fund may conserve 5,700 acres Apr 15, 2009
Denise Antolini, director of the environmental law program at the University of Hawai'i law school, said it took a lot of hard work to decide how the commission would work, including establishing criteria for applications ... The environmental law professor said programs in Hawai'i that help landowners voluntarily sell their property or restrict use to protect land historically have lagged behind other states, though in the last five years significant ground has been gained. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Field Stations Foster Serendipitous Discoveries In Environmental, Biological Sciences Apr 15, 2009
4, 2009) International environmental law on biological diversity is now being called into question by new research. Unclear legislation entails that biological diversity falls under an old legal system, and. (Science Daily)
Pending ruling restores water to 4 streams on Maui Apr 13, 2009
5 million gallons a day of water would be restored to four Maui streams under a proposed ruling by the state Commission on Water Resources Management, according to a news release from the environmental law group Earthjustice ... 5 million gallons a day of water would be restored to four Maui streams under a proposed ruling by the state Commission on Water Resources Management, according to a news release from the environmental law group Earthjustice. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Aspects of judge selection trouble governor Apr 12, 2009
The other nominee was Eric Smith, a Palmer Superior Court judge who once was head of the environmental law firm Trustees for Alaska. Palin initially agreed to a live interview concerning Alaska's judicial selection process but changed to written questions and answers. (Anchorage Daily News)
Counsel for Gitmo detainees to speak Apr 10, 2009
In addition, he received a Master of Laws degree in environmental law from the George Washington University School of Law and an M.S. degree in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Gunn chairs the American Bar Association's Commission on Youth at Risk, serves on the board of Christian Service Charities, and, in 2005, he was named president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. (East Tennessean, TN)
Obama’s bow, America’s eating woes Apr 10, 2009
A windmill may kill a few birds, but eliminating just about every environmental law like Bush did has done far more damage. The private insurance marker should die, if it can compete with lower prices. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
• Jerome County creates new e-mail policy Apr 8, 2009
Charlie Tebbutt, an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center in Eugene, Ore. and one of three who filed last fall for a judge to review the decision, said the county had agreed to find e-mails dating from 2006 to the present at a court hearing on March 16. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Mine expansion halt sought Apr 8, 2009
Timothy Preso, an attorney with the environmental law firm Earthjustice, told the three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that J.R. Simplot Co.'s plan for expanding the Smoky Canyon phosphate mine, approved by the Bush administration last June, would create a "massive environmental disturbance" without adequate scientific review. He said the mine, which produces phosphate for fertilizer, has historically sent large amounts of naturally occurring selenium into local waters,... (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Pristine land Apr 7, 2009
"The companies and the state will try to make us respect the concession. He insists he is "not against investment per se", but stresses that companies working here "must respect the environment". "We have to defend life and that means the right to have access to clean water," he declares. Active conflicts The two lawyers believe this case goes right to the heart of the Peruvian government's model of development and proves that its one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Environmental groups in... (BBC News -- Business)
Woman, foundation share Little Award Apr 7, 2009
The grants include a total of $124,959 to environmental groups in the Athens area, including Sandy Creek Nature Center, Oconee River Land Trust, Athens Land Trust, the Joseph LeConte chapter of The Sierra Club, Georgia ForestWatch, the Georgia River Network, the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Broad River Watershed Association, the Upper Oconee Watershed Network and Garden Clubs of Georgia. The award, named for the late environmentalist John A. "Alec" Little, was established in 1991 to... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Political Grapevine Apr 7, 2009
And a new environmental law in Washington state is turning some law-abiding citizens into smugglers. Spokane County is trying to reduce pollution by cracking down on dishwater detergents made with phosphates. (Fox News)
New Ontario law to target toxic-chemical use Apr 7, 2009
Ontario "will be the first" jurisdiction in the country to have this kind of a strategy to cut hazardous substances and "should really be applauded for that," says Sarah Miller, a spokesperson for the Canadian Environmental Law Association, which has been lobbying the province for the measure along with health organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society. The minister's office did not respond to a request for comment. (Globe and Mail)
Bankruptcy trial reveals more details of asbestos contamination Apr 5, 2009
David M. Uhlmann, director of the Environmental Law and Policy Program at the University of Michigan, said evidence that Libby residents were getting sick just from living amid the town's contaminated environs would be powerful evidence. The evidence already admitted supports the prosecution's claim that Grace and its executives knowingly exposed Grace employees to deadly asbestos contamination, said Uhlmann, a former chief of the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section and an early... (Missoulian, MT)
Progress, efficiency key for Arizona Apr 5, 2009
Education: Bachelor's, Wake Forest University; law degree, Emory University; Master of Laws in environmental law, George Washington University. Work experience: Former assistant administrator for the Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; former deputy chief of staff and environmental counsel for the Science Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. (AZCentral -- News)
Will Dow challenge Quebec pesticide law? Apr 4, 2009
The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) has written to both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama, asking that they repeal or amend the section of the North American Free Trade Agreement, known as Chapter 11, covering investor disputes with government over expropriation ... For instance, she said the free trade agreement with Columbia that Mr. Harper announced in November has much more restrictive language over investor challenges to environmental laws. (Globe and Mail)
