Insights by State Impact Center

Building Power in the Environmental Movement

Green 2.0 Blog

The field of environmental law has been slower to diversify than the larger environmental movement. The sector needs more diversity to represent key environmental issues.

PFAS Federal Legislation in the 117th Congress

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are bioaccumulative and environmentally persistent, have been widely used in commercial applications since the 1950s, and have been linked to a series of human health harms. The widespread public exposure to dangerous levels of chemicals in drinking water and other potential pathways has triggered significant concern in Congress.

State of Play Reference Guide

State attorneys general brought or were otherwise involved in many legal challenges to regulations, policies and decisions made during the Trump administration by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Interior Department, the Energy Department and other executive branch agencies. Use the tabs at left to explore the status of these lawsuits and other issues, sorted by agency or department.

Midnight Watch Project

Tracking last-minute actions by the outgoing Trump administration on environmental, climate and energy issues during the presidential transition through Inauguration Day on January 20.

The Health & Environmental Settlements Project

The Health & Environmental Settlements Project evaluates mechanisms that have been used by state AGs, Congress, and others to address the toughest large-scale health and environmental liability and compensation challenges over the last 50 years.

Climate Change and Public Health

Climate change has many adverse health consequences, and if robust climate action is not taken, these health impacts are expected to worsen, resulting in tens of thousands of additional people sick and lives lost, with disadvantaged communities hurt most of all. Thankfully, state attorneys general have stepped in to challenge the rollback of climate regulations and fight to protect human health and the environment from the ravages of climate change.

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.

Climate & Health Showdown in the Courts

State attorneys general have bee vigorously fighting against the Trump administration’s attempts to replace existing rules that require greenhouse gas emissions reductions with new rules that unlawfully and harmfully negate those reductions.

PFAS Federal Legislation in the 116th Congress

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are bioaccumulative and environmentally persistent, have been widely used in commercial applications since the 1950s, and have been linked to a series of human health harms. The widespread public exposure to dangerous levels of chemicals in drinking water and other potential pathways has triggered significant concern in Congress.

State Attorneys General: 13 Months of Critical Actions

State attorneys general have focused their at least 80 actions – from letters and comments to complaints and amicus briefs on areas ranging such as air and water pollution, toxics, clean energy, climate impacts, federal lands, regulatory reform, and more.