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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Projects
Rounding Up the 2023 Regulatory Process with #StateImpactAlert
This past year has seen federal agencies take significant actions on climate and clean energy, while state attorneys general (AGs) continue to push the Biden administration to finalize stronger rules. Our #StateImpactAlert hashtag on X helps us keep track of these actions and provide the data to folks interested in engaging with actions that may affect their lives.
December 15, 2023
Carlos E. Minaya Arnao -
Trackers
2021 and Beyond: Environment & Energy Cases Involving the Biden Administration
Updated December 8, 2023
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. -
Blog
A Missed Opportunity for Environmental and Energy Justice Engagement
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently held its day-long Annual Reliability Technical Conference. Notably absent from the conference’s panels was any discussion of environmental justice, energy justice, or equity considerations, even though environmental and energy justice communities often face the harshest impacts from reliability and security issues during an energy crisis.
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Blog
Focus on the "Focused MOPR": Third Circuit Upholds FERC 2-2 "Action"
The Third Circuit kicked off the month of December with an order affirming a market rule that better accommodates state clean energy goals. This blog post breaks down the three significant findings in the decision.
December 1, 2023
Jessica Bell -
Blog
What's on the Table as the Farm Bill Deadline Looms
The end of the year means Congress will be turning to legislation that has not yet hit the table, the Farm Bill, which is overdue for reauthorization. The Farm Bill affects much more than its name implies, including climate and conservation practices. We take a look at the status of the bill and the work of advocates in this space.
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Blog
How to Tell If Your House is Being Haunted (by Phantom Power Loads)
As spooky season begins, there a fright you to need to keep your sight set on: energy vampires! Sucking electricity from the grid (and money from your pocket book), everyday appliances are haunting your home.
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Blog
Powering Up for a Clean Energy Transition
Today’s grid has many demands; it needs to keep the lights on, charge cars, and power heat pumps. At the same time, the changing climate means that extreme weather is straining the system in the times of greatest demand. Regional market operators and their regulators are grappling with what the grid of the future will look like and how to get there.
October 12, 2023
Jessica Bell -
Articles
A Do-Nothing Rule in the Court Threatens Much Agency Regulation
“In the Courts” Column: There aren’t many environmental disputes on the Supreme Court’s docket this term. But in one case the Court has granted certiorari on the question of whether it should overrule Chevron v. NRDC, one of the most important precedents in all of law.
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Blog
Spelling Out the Meaning of ESG
Every day, customers vote with their dollars, and businesses make commitments to sustainability, more robust diversity, equity, and justice practices, and climate action. Ideally, these policies and practices – often encompassing issues such as human rights and sustainability – would be held to a reliable standard. All this is encompassed by the acronym ESG.
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Blog
Youth Planting the Seeds for Climate Justice
Across the world youth are demanding protections from government-endorsed and climate change-induced harms. Recent cases illustrate the momentum of youth-led legal battles to enforce their rights to a clean and safe environment.
September 14, 2023
Tatiana Zapata -
Blog
The Electrification of the Nation: How the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project is Charging Up Our Roadways
Student Blog Series
A major obstacle to electric vehicle adoption is the lack of available charging infrastructure. The $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, created to support EV infrastructure nationwide, signals an important step for America’s transition into cleaner roadways.
August 2, 2023
Natalie Heun -
Articles
Green Amendments: Lessons From Hawai'i, New York, and Montana
“In the Courts” Column: Green amendments are sprouting up in state constitutions around the country and are starting to be tested in court. These provisions generally guarantee a right to a clean and healthy environment and, if recent cases are any indication, they may have teeth.