Blackstone Headwaters Coalition v. Gallo Builders, Inc.
In an en banc decision, the First Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part summary judgment for an environmental group in a CWA citizen suit against developers of a construction site in Massachusetts. The group argued the developers violated the CWA by failing to comply with the construction ge...
The New Law of Geology: Rights, Responsibilities, and Geosystem Services
Humans are inescapably dependent upon geological processes and structures. Many of these interactions are direct, such as when we cultivate the soil or mine the earth. However, the terms of our interaction with geology are usually invisible and unacknowledged. Although the relationships are complex, a firm understanding of the environment and our dependence on it cannot ignore the interconnections between earth’s systems, including subsurface geology, vegetation, oceans, and atmosphere.
Greenflation: Are Commodity Prices Actually Rising?
What impact does inflation have on environmental sectors? Economists have recently raised concerns about “greenflation,” a term coined to describe rising commodity prices associated with going green, due to a higher demand for sustainable materials. The implementation of more carbon-neutral regulation and increasing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices may contribute to these rising costs. On January 26, 2022, the Environmental Law Institute hosted leading experts for an in-depth economic discussion about greenflation, regulations, and ESG practices.
Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center v. Stanislaus National Forest
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of summary judgment for environmental groups in a challenge to the Forest Service's allowance of livestock grazing in the Stanislaus National Forest. The groups argued the grazing led to fecal matter runoff that polluted streams in the area, impai...
Louisiana v. American Rivers
The U.S. Supreme Court, 5-4, granted states' and industry groups' application for an emergency stay of a district court ruling that had vacated the 2020 Clean Water Act 401 Certification Rule. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Kagan asserted the states and groups had failed to show they would suffer ...