In re Oil Spill by the Oil Rig “Deepwater Horizon”
A district court issued its findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding phase one of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill trial, holding various companies liable for the spill. In the 150+-page opinion, the court determined that BP Exploration & Production, Inc., is subject to enhanced civil pe...
Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. United States Food & Drug Administration
The Second Circuit reversed a lower court decision that FDA was required to hold hearings to determine whether to withdraw approval for the use of penicillin and tetracyclines in animal feed. Looking at the text of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the context, the regulations, and the backg...
High Country Conservation Advocates v. United States Forest Service
A district court vacated the government's approval of on-the-ground mining exploration activities in a part of western Colorado's North Fork Valley and enjoined the intervening mining companies from proceeding with the project until the agencies comply with NEPA. Although the federal agencies provid...
Alec L. v. McCarthy
The D.C. Circuit dismissed teenagers' lawsuit against the federal government for failing to cap greenhouse gas emissions. Invoking the federal question statute, 28 U.S.C. §1331, as the basis for subject matter jurisdiction, the minors alleged that the federal defendants are trustees of essential na...