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.
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Blog
Toxics, Under the Radar
When it comes to protecting Americans from cancer-causing toxic chemicals, pesticides and other hazardous materials, our environmental law system has come up short.
June 11, 2020
David J. Hayes -
Reports
A Pass to Pollute: Environmental (Non)Enforcement Under the Trump Administration
Under the Trump administration, environmental regulation enforcement has dropped to historic lows as a result of deliberate efforts to restrict and curtail federal agencies’ compliance monitoring and enforcement activity.
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Blog
COVID & Cars: The Benefits of Rules
COVID-19 reminds us of the benefits of rules. Rules can (and are) saving lives. Flaunting them is making some people very sick, and killing others.
May 28, 2020
David J. Hayes -
Blog
Unequal Effects
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey released a remarkable document this week: COVID-19’s Unequal Effects in Massachusetts: Remedying the Legacy of Environmental Injustice & Building Climate Resilience.
May 14, 2020
David J. Hayes -
Blog
Why Are Federal Energy Regulators Disrespecting States’ Rights?
The Trump administration knows better than to disrespect states’ energy rights. In a recent Federal Register entry, the administration confirmed that FERC is required to defer to state choices regarding electricity generation, quoting the Federal Power Act and Supreme Court opinions.
April 30, 2020
David J. Hayes -
Blog
Leadership in a Crisis
With the 10th year anniversary of the Gulf oil spill disaster coming up in a few days, many are writing about lessons learned from that tragedy.
April 16, 2020
David J. Hayes -
Blog
Earth Day at 50: Our System of Protections Is Failing Us
Earth Day 1970 energized America to construct the system of environmental protection that is in place today. Fifty years later is a propitious time to issue a report card on how well the system is doing.
April 15, 2020
David J. Hayes -
Op-Eds
Trump Is Aggressively Pushing His Anti-Environment Agenda Amid a Pandemic. It’s Inexcusable.
“The coronavirus pandemic has virtually shut down the U.S. economy. The lights remain on, however, at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior Department, where the Trump administration is working to push through its radical reordering of our nation’s environmental and conservation priorities — pandemic or no.”
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Blog
Flatten the (Climate) Curve
COVID-19 is teaching us an important lesson about “flattening the curve” and this teaching also applies to the climate crisis.
March 31, 2020
David J. Hayes -
Projects
Guidance for States on Potential Steps to Opt Out of PJM’s Capacity Market
Assisting state attorneys general in evaluating whether and how to opt out of PJM’s capacity market in response to FERC’s recent decision that penalizes state-supported clean energy resources.
March 23, 2020
State Impact Center -
Blog
Our Health
We usually take our health for granted. No more. The COVID-19 pandemic presents an acute health risk that is upending our country, and our world.
March 19, 2020
David J. Hayes -
Blog
Energy & Culture Wars
The administration is fomenting another culture war. The president has ridiculed the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs, claiming that their replacements give off bad light. Wind turbines cause cancer and toilets now require multiple flushes (really?).
March 5, 2020
David J. Hayes