Insights

Examining the Role of AGs in a Just Transition

This article reviews many of the policies and tools that can be and are being harnessed to bring about a “just transition,” ensuring that the emerging clean energy sector provides high quality jobs and that needs of current fossil fuel workers are also adequately addressed. These policies exist at the intersection of workers’ rights and environmental policy.

DOL Paves the Road Green for Retirement

The Department of Labor has just released a finalized rule around its Investment Duties regulation in order to clarify how Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)-regulated fiduciaries can take into consideration climate and environmental, social, governance (ESG) issues.

Get a GRIP on DOE Funding

The acronym soup of federal laws that will turbocharge clean energy is ready for primetime. This week, we’ll take a look at the Infrastructure Law, signed last year (sometimes referred to as the BIL or the IIJA).

2022 AG Elections Results

Tuesday, November 8 was election day, and AG elections in thirty-three states and territories were held. Here is a breakdown of the results. Last updated 1/5/2023.

Carving Out Funds for Clean Energy

Hocus Pocus? Not in the IRA! The Inflation Reduction Act is designed to push money towards clean energy and clean transportation and to supercharge these issues at the state and local level. Here is a breakdown of some of its major goals along with the current status.

A Dormant Threat to State Clean Energy, Public Health Programs

“In the Courts” Column: This term, the Supreme Court is considering a case about the Dormant Commerce Clause—with the potential to curtail state powers to issue rules that favor a certain energy mix along with safety and health standards. How did we get here?

Take the Next Exit: Getting to Decarbonized, Equitable Transportation

Electric vehicles (EVs) are going from zero to sixty due to changing consumer preferences, recent state policies, and federal legislation. With EV investment accelerating, it is time to consider what a just transition to a decarbonized transportation sector looks like.

Agencies Can Avoid Major Questions Risks

“In the Courts” Column: The decision in West Virginia v. EPA required the Supreme Court to take two analytical steps that pose threats to future environmental regulation—but they should not be insurmountable.

WOTUS, SCOTUS, and Pigs, Oh My!

The Supreme Court is starting up its new term next week. What is on its environmental docket, you ask? Could it be bigger than last year? Quite possibly!

EJ Statutes Grow at the State Level

Several states have started to address the disproportionate and inequitable effects that their low-income and minority communities have long faced through new statutes that impose permitting limits or enshrine additional environmental review requirements.

EJ Issue to Watch: Governor Hochul Sitting on Passed Cumulative Impact Analysis Bill

Student Blog Series

The passage of New York’s cumulative impacts analysis bill by the state legislature in April 2022 was heralded by environmental justice groups as groundbreaking. If Governor Hochul signs the bill, New York can pave the way toward environmental equity in the state.

FERC Judicial Review Tracker

Updated September 1, 2022

This tracker collects court decisions reviewing orders of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and includes the underlying orders in each case, information about the commissioner composition, and the outcome of judicial review. The tracker also includes brief analysis of the data.