Insights

We regularly produce original research and analysis that highlight attorney general work on clean energy and the environment and provide commentary on important and timely topics in these areas of work.

  • Articles The Environmental Forum - ELI logo

    The High Court’s Environmental Docket Continues to Make Waves

    July-August 2023


    The Supreme Court decided two cases in May that will have profound implications for environmental protection around the country, Sackett v. EPA and National Pork Producers Council v. Ross.

  • Trackers A soft pink, blue, and navy illustration of a lightbulb overlaid on an illustration of wind turbines sprawled out across a hilly landscape

    AG Actions Database

    Updated 6.1.23
    Launched 1.19.17


    This database tracks actions of regional and national significance taken by state AGs to advance clean energy, climate and environmental laws and policies since 2017. The database is updated on a monthly basis.

  • Blog Transmission towers, text from FERC's docket on EJ roundtable comments for permitting, sound waves, and torn paper.

    Reflections on FERC’s Environmental Justice Roundtable


    Organizations and individuals recently submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) following its Roundtable on Environmental Justice and Equity in Infrastructure Permitting. This post discusses a few themes from some of the comments.

  • Reports An illustration of a just transition: construction workers overlook a green valley with a winding road; solar panels are being installed in the foreground; in the distance, transmission towers and lines connect wind turbines on one side of the image to a skyline on the other side; a train riding along a viaduct connects the foreground and background.

    A Role for State Attorneys General in a Just Transition

    Resources Updated 5.25.23
    Report Published 12.1.22


    This report considers how state attorneys general (AGs) can help ensure that the shift to renewable energy supports communities and leads to good climate jobs. The report provides insight into the role of AGs, highlights recent AG enforcement of workers’ rights and environmental protection, and offers additional ideas for what state attorneys general can do in relation to a just transition.

  • Trackers A transmission tower in front of an orange sky; a flock of birds flies past; a snippet of text from FERC's Building for the Future NOPR; the State Impact Center logo.

    Tracking Transmission Reform

    Updated 5.23.23
    Launched 10.29.21


    Transmission planning needs to change to support a clean, affordable, and equitable grid. Hear from state AGs on why transmission reform is a critical aspect of climate response, get background on how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is approaching its overhaul to the process, and stay up to date on how AGs are getting involved.

  • Blog An illustration of a pork cut diagram, but the lines are actually U.S. state borders; the text of the Supreme Court decision in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross fills the background.

    Pigs Fly! SCOTUS Upholds State Sovereignty in CA Pork Case


    Last week, SCOTUS upheld a California ballot initiative addressing animal cruelty in the pork industry against a dormant Commerce Clause challenge, affirming states’ authority to tackle far-reaching problems. The decision offers four key takeaways for states seeking to regulate complex environmental, energy, and climate issues that involve effects in other states.

  • Blog An abstract, outline drawing of an offshore wind turbine and a construction worker in front of a yellow sun.

    Winds of Change: Developing a Domestic Supply Chain & Good Jobs in the Offshore Wind Sector


    The buzz around the nascent offshore wind sector is palpable, with huge amounts of untapped power, waiting to be unleashed. But the U.S. lacks a domestic offshore wind supply chain, and the anticipated job growth will need to be accompanied by strong labor parameters in place to ensure that these jobs will be good jobs.

  • Blog A graphic depicting the U.S. Capitol from a money bill, a bullhorn with noise symbols, a plaque that says "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency" on it, all in various shades of green.

    A Call from Communities to Remove Barriers to Access EPA's EJ Grants


    A wave of community-based and resident-led organizations recently submitted comments calling for the removal of systemic barriers to participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program.

  • Projects Two aerial shots; one of an intersection in a city, the other of a winding interstate system.

    Expanding AG EJ Practice — A Resource

    Updated 4.18.23
    Launched 1.10.22


    This resource gives an overview of environmental justice and provides guidance for AG offices looking to set up or expand their work in the EJ practice area. It highlights influential moments in EJ history, provides a look into state mapping tools, identifies current federal and state EJ policies, and tracks EJ updates in the media.

  • Blog An illustration of patchwork farmland from a bird's-eye view

    Growing Calls for a More Just, Climate-Savvy Farm Bill


    There has been a flurry of climate justice advocacy in recent weeks—from social media posts to rallies at the capitol—around the Farm Bill. So what is the Farm Bill, what does it have to do with climate justice, and why does it matter right now?

  • Articles The Environmental Forum - ELI logo

    Not an Afterthought: Remedies Receiving Their Day in Court

    May-June 2023


    There is news in the world of remedies for agencies that violate the law. These developments could have repercussions for any incoming president seeking to roll back the prior administration’s policies, as well as implication for parties seeking to avert environmental harms.

  • Trackers An illustration of a court house with four columns; the spaces between the three columns show, from left to right, water, land, and sky.

    2021 and Beyond: Environment & Energy Cases Involving the Biden Administration

    Updated 4.7.23
    Launched 4.7.22


    This tracker col­lects court deci­sions on chal­lenges to fed­er­al actions relat­ed to ener­gy and the envi­ron­ment dur­ing the Biden admin­is­tra­tion. It will be updat­ed as new cases are brought and new deci­sions are released.