N.C. seeks compromise on Duke's Save-A-Watt proposal Aug 20, 2008
Duke is involved in talks with the public staff, the N.C. Attorney General s Office, the N.C. Justice Center and the Southern Environmental Law Center ... Gudrun Thompson of the environmental law center declines to discuss her group s precise position. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Nevada Jury Awards Inventor Gil Hyatt $388 Million Against California's Taxing Agency Aug 18, 2008
Mr. Hyatt was grateful for the verdict rendered by the jury and stated that he "hoped this will prevent other taxpayers from going through the same nightmare I have had to endure for over a decade." About Hutchison en, LLC Hutchison en, a Martindale-Hubbell(R) AV-rated law firm, provides a wide variety of legal services, including business and commercial litigation, real estate, appellate litigation, creditor's rights, construction law, employment law, insurance litigation, landlord/tenant law,... (PR Newswire)
Endangered, indeed Aug 18, 2008
The Bush administration has taken to such mischief as trying to have the endangered in Endangered Species Act apply more to the landmark environmental law itself than to any of the animals and plants it's supposed to protect ... Here's what that would mean, in the straightforward language of environmental lawyer Eric Glitzenstein, who specializes in fighting to protect threatened or endangered species and habitats from shortsighted environmental policies. (Albany Times Union)
Global Ambitions at California Law Schools Aug 16, 2008
Hastings student David Takacs, who spent the past year in London studying environmental law and policy making, said that he missed some constitutional and administrative law courses and certain Bar prep classes that students typically take in their third year ... He developed an expertise in environmental law, from the developing-country perspective. (Law.com)
A California contractor agrees to pay a $48,000 penalty and $192,000 to restore creeks dirtied while 7 miles of U.S. 20 was straightened Aug 16, 2008
Had the company simply paid $240,000 in fines, the money would have gone to the state's general fund under Oregon law, not to environmental projects, said Jeff Bachman, a DEQ environmental law specialist. Granite will have to use third-party contractors and submit receipts to show that it paid at least $192,000 for the stream work, Bachman said. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Duke pursuing compromise on Save-A-Watt Aug 16, 2008
Individuals close to the situation say Duke is discussing a possible agreement with the N.C. Utilities Commission s public staff, the Southern Environmental Law Center, the N.C. Justice Center and the N.C. Attorney General s office ... An agreement with the environmental law center would be interesting ... Also, environmental group N.C. Waste Awareness and Reduction Network isn t part of the group associated with the Southern Environmental Law Center. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
One For The Books Aug 10, 2008
Efflandt characterized by love for history, environmental law. Wichita Business Journal - by. (Wichita Business Journal, KS)
Profile: Chuck Efflandt Aug 8, 2008
Efflandt characterized by love for history, environmental law ... "Environmental law is a pretty good mixture of both the scientific and the legal. You have to have a handle on both to do well at it." ... He got into environmental law following several years trying cases. (Wichita Business Journal, KS)
Unstable atmosphere: State execs cool on climate change Aug 8, 2008
However, a Milwaukee attorney with expertise in environmental law said the skepticism reflected by the survey results shows that business leaders don t grasp climate change science as well as they should. The big take-away for me is the need to educate, said Arthur Harrington, of Godfrey & Kahn SC. Everything I ve seen on the science side says that (climate change) is real and we have a limited amount of time to do something. (Milwaukee Business Journal, WI)
Developer helping to fund AB 1991 lobbying efforts Aug 7, 2008
Building the homes on the property that has been declared wetlands requires a legislative initiative to create an exemption from state environmental law. The bill has thus far been stymied in the Senate. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
Business, Trade Groups Unite to Oppose Court Order Spiking Power Plant Aug 2, 2008
"This is as difficult and as complicated technically and legally as anything in environmental law," said Patricia T. Barmeyer, head of King & Spalding's environmental practice. "The superior court judge just with only a limited amount of information and a limited understanding reversed all the hard work by the ALJ and all the determinations of the agency.". (Law.com)
Driving is flash point at national seashore Jul 31, 2008
"This is working exactly like scientists predicted it would," said Derb Carter, attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, who testified Wednesday ... "We felt it was the lesser of two evils."But Carter, of the Southern Environmental Law Center, said it was Dare County that declined to negotiate this spring. (News & Observer)
US Should Find Way to Price Carbon Emissions - Execs Jul 30, 2008
Daniel Esty, a professor of environmental law at Yale University, told the panel that a cap-and-trade system would be the best way to encourage investment in energy efficiency, which is directly proportional to emissions. "We have an element of harm that's not being priced," Esty said. (Planet Ark, United States)
Lawsuits Against Power Plant in Southwest Virginia Groundless and Emotional Rhetoric, Not Sound Science, Says ACCCE Jul 29, 2008
"Again, they provide no practical or substantive solutions to our energy's needs in the state. "The Southern Environmental Law Center and its co-petitioners fail to recognize that state officials based their decisions to permit the plant on sound science," Lucas added. "The rhetoric used to incite unwarranted fear among local residents concerning health issues and phantom environmental impacts are not supported by facts. Additionally, these lawsuits do nothing to advance realistic solutions to... (PR Newswire)
Lawmakers to ban toxins in kids products Jul 29, 2008
Daryl Ditz, senior policy adviser at the Center for International Environmental Law, said industry viewed the ban as a benchmark that might signal a shift in Congress's willingness to toughen restrictions on toxins. "The great fear is that if a big, established chemical like this can be driven from the market, what's next?" he said. (MSNBC -- Health)
Burning causes foes to react Jul 26, 2008
On Friday afternoon the Campaign to End Field Burning, based at the Western Environmental Law Center in Eugene, sent out an e-mail passing on a report that two mushroom clouds were visible to the north and headed in the direction of Eugene. Please join the effort to stop this antiquated and dangerous practice, pleaded Dan Galpern, co-director of the campaign. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Helping Small Farms Survive Jul 26, 2008
The forum was sponsored by the Environmental Law Center on campus ... "It's clear that there is a need. People come from all over the country, both to speak and to attend," says Marc Mihaly of the Environmental Law Center. (WCAX.com, VT)
Congressman to bring Washington to Connecticut Jul 25, 2008
Dr. Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University, is also director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and the Center for Business onment; and John Rice, Vice Chairman of General Electric, is also CEO of General Electric Infrastructure. East Hartford Gazette 2008. (East Hartford Gazette, CT)
EPA urged to control mercury from cement kilns Jul 25, 2008
Large bodies of water - San Francisco Bay, Chesapeake Bay and Lake Huron, among others - are vulnerable to airborne mercury from 150 cement kilns across the country, said a report issued by Earthjustice and the Environmental Integrity Project, two groups specializing in environmental law. Even small amounts of mercury are toxic and can cause numerous health problems, particularly for children. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Covington Set for Asia With Beijing Office Launch Jul 24, 2008
The office will play to the firm's regulatory and policy strengths, advising on antitrust, corporate and environmental law among others. Timothy Hester, chair of Covington's management committee, commented: "Covington has been advising its international clients on legal and business matters in Asia for decades; but we concluded that opening an office in China was the logical next step to serve our clients.". (Law.com)
Letter: Rosemont imperils wildlife Jul 23, 2008
Farmer s Investment Company has hired two high-powered lawyers who will rely on the water issue and federal environmental law in opposing the mine. They expect to drag out the process before the Forest Service and possibly in court for a decade or more. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
As Games near, China tackles its polluted air Jul 21, 2008
"If you stop the sources of pollution for a while, pollution goes away," said Alex Wang, Beijing-based director of the China Environmental Law project at the National Resources Defense Council. "But the Olympics is only two weeks. Hopefully this will spur added investment for the long term.". (Albany Times Union)
• William Mercer's charmed life at Justice Jul 20, 2008
In addition, the report cited an e-mail exchange in which Mercer scoffed at a candidate with an interest in environmental law and who once served as a law clerk to a judge seen as sympathetic to plaintiffs' lawyers. Eventually, the Gonzales era imploded before Mercer was confirmed to the senior Justice position. (Q13.com, WA)
Letters for Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Jul 17, 2008
Everyone knows the Hawaiian Superfailure was in violation of state environmental law when it tried to enter the harbor at Nawiliwili. Well, except maybe you, Mr. One Way. (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Environmentalists sue Duke Energy Jul 17, 2008
Southern Environmental Law Center says the air-quality permit issued to Duke doesn t comply with the ruling ... Southern Environmental Law Center s Gudrun Thompson says that approach is not sufficient. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
The new legal hot topic: animal law Jul 16, 2008
" The new question might be: Can they sue? Animal law classes are the hot new offering at Canadian law schools. The University of Toronto and Queen's University will both start teaching animal law this fall, joining at least six other Canadian universities where dogs and cats are already on the curriculum. Before you reel at the notion of Rover retaining a lawyer to petition for 10 walks a day or the fish suing the cat for harassment, fear not. It's a serious field of study; even in the U.S.,... (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Alston & Bird Chief Mum on Merger With Calif. Firm Jul 15, 2008
Alston's potential merger with Weston Benshoof would instantly give it 80 California attorneys specializing in litigation, real estate development and environmental law. Clients of Weston Benshoof, which was founded in 1984, include the Boeing Co.. (Law.com)
Brookline residents ranked as top attorneys Jul 15, 2008
Goodheart concentrates her practice in environmental law, real estate and general business litigation, and insurance coverage disputes. Clients described her excellent combination of great judgment and know-how and her clear and concise legal advice. (Brookline TAB, MA)
BAY AREA BIZ Jul 13, 2008
He succeeds former Dean Frederic White and previously served as director of the LLM environmental law program and acting director of the JD environmental law program. -- Maksim Ovsyannikov was named vice president of product strategy at Novato's Enwisen. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
EPA knocks $900,000 off value of a life Jul 13, 2008
Dan Esty, a senior EPA policy official in the first Bush administration and now director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, said that "it's hard to imagine that it has other than a political motivation.". Agency officials say they were just following what the science told them. (MSNBC -- Environment)
George Hartzog Jr.; expanded US park system Jul 7, 2008
For the remainder of his life, Mr. Hartzog practiced environmental law and spoke about issues facing the nation's parks. He wrote an autobiography, "Battling for the National Parks," in 1988. (Boston Globe)
Merger: Growing in two capitals Jul 7, 2008
It also gives O Connor & Hannan a foothold in Sacramento, considered the front lines of environmental law and policy. This article is for Paid Print Subscribers ONLY.. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
SBY told to push G8 on climate Jul 7, 2008
Noted environmental law expert Mas Achmad Santosa said it was unlikely the current state of impasse over reductions would be resolved at the G8 summit. "The President must push G8 leaders to stick to the Bali road map. But I am still pessimist the U.S. or China and India will change their position at the summit," he said. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia)
Black day in court for greens? Jul 6, 2008
Plaintiffs in Clifton Park lawsuit say 1991 ruling limits environmental law. By , Staff writer First published: Sunday, July 6, 2008. (Albany Times Union)
9th Circuit: Judges shouldn't act as scientists Jul 4, 2008
The 9th Circuit judges wrote they wanted to remedy past mistakes the court had made when weighing in on matters of environmental law. A service of the Associated Press(AP). (Montana Standard, MT)
Hartman: Rock Meadow summer update Jul 3, 2008
Those that prove to be invasive are causing serious damage to our nation s croplands, forests, wetlands, waterways, and parks by destroying native plant and animal communities, disrupting ecological processes, and threatening the stability of our ecosystems (Environmental Law Institute 2002). Herbicides are a powerful tool to use within a regime of natural area stewardship. (Belmont Citizen Herald, MA)
Sebelius: Clean power a winning issue Jun 28, 2008
Sebelius told the crowd at an event sponsored by Earthjustice, an environmental law firm, that even conservative Kansans worry about coal power. "What's happened in Kansas in the last six months is really incredible. Citizens became remarkably engaged in the process," Sebelius said. (Durango Herald)
Wait costs contracting jobs Jun 26, 2008
PCS Phosphate, the local arm of a Canadian minerals conglomerate, first applied for the permit in 2000, and it has faced opposition from groups including the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation and Southern Environmental Law Center. PTRF has called the proposed expansion the largest wetland destruction in N.C. history. (Washington Daily News, NC)
New Protection for the Polar Bear Jun 25, 2008
By listing the polar bear as threatened, it is protected under the United States most powerful environmental law, The Endangered Species Act of 1973. Listing the bear as threatened also means that the US will take measures to protect its habitat and assist in recovering the population to a healthy number. (Suite101.com)
Group blasts DSA Trinitas endorsement Jun 25, 2008
Mayhew expressed surprise that the DSA would issue the endorsement while Trinitas is under review by federal and state agencies for alleged violations of environmental law. The Trinitas project has been the focus of controversy because it was constructed on land which was under a restrictive agriculture-only contract. (The Union Democrat)
Criminal Justice Degrees are in Demand Jun 25, 2008
You'll learn about the relationship of the legal system to business, government and society as you study subjects such as economics; state, local and national government; environmental law and practice; e-commerce; sports law; and patents, trademarks and copyrights. Cybersecurity-Cybercrime investigations and forensics. (Harrisburg Daily Register, IL)
Dominion Seeks OK For Coal-Fired Plant Jun 25, 2008
"It's literally an example of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," said Cale Jaffe, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. "This plant is just flawed in its basic design.". (W-USA News, DC)
Supreme Court won't hear W.R. Grace appeals Jun 24, 2008
Uhlmann, currently director of the Environmental Law and Policy Program at the University of Michigan, has called the Grace prosecution one of the most significant cases ever brought under the federal environmental crimes program. In its appeal for Supreme Court intervention, Grace argued that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's definition of asbestos doesn't cover most of the fibers that contaminated the vermiculite in Libby. (Missoulian, MT)
Local groups oppose Bush's drilling plan Jun 19, 2008
The Santa Barbara-based Environmental Defense Center (EDC), a nonprofit environmental law firm, and Coastkeeper, an agency and permit watchdog based in San Luis Obispo, said the time and energy that would be spent on drilling would be better spent on alternative sources of energy. For the U.S. and our energy situation, we need to look forward not backward, said Linda Krop an attorney with EDC. We need to look at renewables, sustainables and nonfossil energy supplies. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Shower curtains harbour over 100 toxic chemicals Jun 17, 2008
The study was conducted by the US-based Center for Health, Environment ce (CHEJ) and in Canada by Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA). Though ubiquitous in homes around the world, PVC shower curtains contain many harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates and organotins. (Sify.com, India)
Africa: Whose Money On the Table for Climate Change? Jun 16, 2008
PPP is widely acknowledged as a general principle of international environmental law and is one of the fundamental principles of the European community's environment policy. The World Bank in a statement on the CIFs pointed out that the money will be in the form of highly concessional loans. (allAfrica.com)
Plastic shower curtains may leak PVCs Jun 13, 2008
Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law Association released the study in Canada and are calling on Ottawa to ban PVC curtains and force manufacturers and retailers to sell cotton ones instead. Recommend this article. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Climate cures: Technology, not ideology Jun 13, 2008
(His most recent paper Emissions Not Accomplished was published last month in the Environmental Law and Policy Review, a journal of the William and Mary School of Law in Virginia. But he isn't alone. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Cle Elum council clashes over H2O policy Jun 12, 2008
After attending a meeting in Ellensburg on exempt wells sponsored by the Center for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP) and Aqua Permanente, a local group that has worked to try to limit development of exempt wells in the Upper County, Reay said she came away convinced the city has more research to do before moving ahead with adoption of a new water policy. She called the draft policy an experiment and said the city should put it on hold. (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)
Law professor wants to use courts to fight global warming Jun 1, 2008
Her theory began to get some traction among public interest attorneys in March after she spoke at an environmental law conference in Eugene ... It goes back to Roman times, said Costello, executive director of the Eugene-based Western Environmental Law Center ... Jay Austin, a senior attorney with the Environmental Law Institute, also sees merits in Wood s approach, especially in light of a Supreme Court decision last year in a case known as Massachusetts v. EPA.. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Louisville, Lexington carbon footprints among nation's worst May 30, 2008
The report, written by the Washington, D.C.-Based Brookings Institution, with additional analysis by the Southern Environmental Law Center, said the Lexington area had the worst per capita carbon emissions from transportation and energy use of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Lexington was followed by the metropolitan Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Toledo, Ohio and Louisville areas. (Louisville Business First, KY)
The Center For Justice, Sunshine Sheriffs May 26, 2008
The Center for Justice leans left, traditionally focusing on things like legal aid for the poor and environmental law. Activists say this shows government accountability isn't a partisan issue. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Legislative analysis identifies potential costs of AB 1991 May 23, 2008
However, the legislative analysis that is reviewed by all committee members before voting on the bill, is nonetheless critical of many aspects of AB 1991, particularly the danger of setting a precedent to skirt environmental law. "While the specific circumstances leading up to this settlement are unique, passage of this bill will nevertheless create an unwanted precedent that may undermine the state's legitimate role and responsibility in its coastal zone," the analysis notes. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
Regulators deny industry request to limit new oil, gas rules May 23, 2008
The proposed changes are urgently needed and somewhat overdue, said Mike Chiropolos of Western Resource Advocates, a Boulder-based environmental law and policy group. The proposed rules would implement two laws passed last year to give more weight to public health, wildlife and the environment when making decisions about oil and gas development. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Strict guidelines urged for nanomaterials May 22, 2008
Tiny substances should be banned in foods, clearly labelled in personal-care products, environmental law group says ... Nanomaterials should be banned in foods and some packaging, and there should be mandatory labelling for these novel compounds in cosmetics, personal-care products and cleaning agents, says the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. (Globe and Mail -- Technology)
Half Moon Bay legal fix will put state in a legal fix May 21, 2008
It would exempt Keenan's 129-unit housing development from every single environmental law in the state - including the laws protecting water quality, air quality, endangered species and wetlands - as well as the city's own ordinances on affordable housing, traffic mitigation and sustainable growth rates ... If signed, AB1991 will signal the willingness of the Legislature to override environmental laws and the public's right to participate in local land-use decisions to enrich savvy developers... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
ELI's Gold Standard for Sustainable Aquaculture Labeling to Influence Development of International Standards May 20, 2008
A report released by the Environmental Law Institute () (ELI) and The Ocean Foundation (), Gold Standard for Sustainable Aquaculture Ecolabel Design, establishes a definitive standard for the institutional design of sustainable aquaculture ecolabels ... This report was produced by the Environmental Law Institute with funding and guidance from the Munson Foundation, the Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, The Ocean Foundation and an anonymous foundation ... The Environmental Law... (PR Newswire)
Kempthorne angers both sides of species debate May 15, 2008
That's why Kempthorne remains an advocate for reforming the law, which is the toughest environmental law ever written. He wants less emphasis on listing and more on recovery of species already on the list. (Anchorage Daily News)
Cibolo Creek bridge on hold May 9, 2008
On Monday Allee wrote to Melinda Taylor, director of the Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Texas Law School, recapping his Friday visit to the Yates Ranch and telling her that he does not believe any further action is necessary by his office, at this time. Search The Web. (Boerne Star, TX)
Groups may sue Duke Energy over Cliffside project May 8, 2008
The Southern Environmental Law Center says it will sue within 60 days if the Charlotte-based electric utility doesn't halt construction of the new coal-fired unit at its Cliffside power plant ... The Southern Environmental Law Center says recent actions by a federal court open the door to challenge Duke's construction of the plant as illegal. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Sierra Club Threatens Suits Over Coal Power Plants May 7, 2008
"There are affordable technologies widely available today that can substantially reduce mercury and other toxic pollution," said Pat Gallagher, director of the Sierra Club's environmental law program. "In their rush to build new coal plants, developers have turned a blind eye to these technologies, and correspondingly the health of children everywhere.". (Planet Ark, United States)
Family pledges forest preservation May 6, 2008
The Smith family, longtime Calaveras County residents, has entered into an agreement with the Pacific Forest Trust to manage its property, on the borders between the Stanislaus National Forest and Big Trees, in a way that is most compatible with California's landmark environmental law. A trapper named Andrew Jackson Smith homesteaded the property in the 1890s, when Grover Cleveland was president. (The Union Democrat)
FULL HIGHLIGHTS May 2, 2008
A Civil Action is required reading at many law schools across the country, in courses on civil procedure, ethics, torts, trial practice and environmental law. It was the basis of a film starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall. (Univeristy of Chicago Chronicle, IL)
Pine Bush environmentalists lose appeal May 2, 2008
The environmentalists said the company was not protecting or re-establishing the endangered Karner Blue butterfly on the land, as was required by the agreement with the DEC. In the most recent court ruling, the Appellate Court said Save the Pine Bush did not establish specific environmental injury that confers standing under state environmental law. According to the decision, having members of the group go to the site or next to it to observe the butterfly was not enough to confer standing. (Community News Weekly, NY)
More of this story» May 2, 2008
R.J. has played football and soccer, and has been a member of the Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, 4-H and FFA. He will attend SMC for two years, then transfer to MSU to major in Environmental Law. . (Cassopolis Vigilant, MI)
