Air Quality
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of December 4, 2023
Pipelines: FERC Authorizes Construction of the Southeast Energy Connector Project ⚡
On November 16, 2023, FERC issued an order authorizing the construction and operation of the Southeast Energy Connector Project (SECP). Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC, 185 FERC ¶ 61133, Docket No. CP22-501-000 (2023). The order authorizes the construction and operation of Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC (Transco)’s pipeline and associated compression facilities in Chilton and Coosa Counties, Alabama. Transco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams Gas Pipeline Company, LLC. According to the order by FERC, the SECP is designed to supply energy to Mississippi and […]
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—October 23, 2023
Ag-Gag Statutes: Supreme Court Denies Petition to Decide Whether First Amendment Protects ‘Newsgathering Activities’ in Non-Public Farm Areas 🌾
On October 16, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for a writ of certiorari for a case seeking reversal of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s decision upholding parts of North Carolina’s Property Protection Act—but enjoining enforcement of the act for “newsgathering activities.” Stein v. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc., No. 22-1150 (U.S.); PETA v. NC Farm Bureau, No. 20-1776 (4th Cir.). The Fourth Circuit’s opinion, which held that […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of July 17, 2023
National Energy Policy: DOE Announces $90 Million Intended to Update State and Local Building Energy Codes ⚡
On July 12, 2023, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) posted a press release announcing $90 million to help municipalities, states, tribes, and other partnering organizations implement updated building energy codes. The funding has been awarded to 27 projects in 26 states and the District of Columbia. Updated state and local building codes are projected to save Americans $138 billion on utility bills and reduce CO2 emissions by 900 million metric tons by 2040, according to the DOE’s impact analysis.
Air Quality: […]
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—June 19, 2023
Pesticides/Herbicides: Environmental Groups Challenge EPA’s Registration of Enlist One and Enlist Duo 🌾
On June 6, 2023, the Center for Food Safety and two other advocacy groups filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking injunctive and declaratory relief against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) registration decision for Enlist One and Enlist Duo. Ctr. for Food Safety v. U.S. Envtl. Prot. Agency, No. 1:23-cv-01633. In January 2022, EPA granted an extended seven-year registration for the two herbicides in 34 states, which may be expanded to six other states pending a […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of May 22, 2023
Air Quality: The EPA Announces Proposed Standards for Carbon Emissions from Fuel Fired Power Plants ⚡
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule which would impose new standards for carbon emissions for coal and natural gas power plants. The EPA is proposing these new standards under the Clean Air Act, providing “emission limits and guidelines for carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel-fired power plants.” The proposed standards and guidelines are aimed to enhance public health by helping to reduce particulate matter and other harmful air pollutants. The EPA will be opening […]
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—April 17, 2023
Water Quality: North Dakota Federal Court Enjoins WOTUS Final Rule in 24 States 🌾
On April 12, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota issued a preliminary injunction immediately effective in 24 states against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) January 2023 WOTUS Final Rule in West Virginia v. U.S. EPA, No. 3:23-cv-00032. In addition to a previously-issued federal court injunction issued in Texas, effective in Texas and Idaho, the new injunction is effective in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, […]
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—March 27, 2023
Biosecurity: Pennsylvania Suffers Renewed 2023 HPAI Outbreak, Issues Additional Quarantine Order for Live Bird Market Supply Chain 🌾
From February 1, 2023, through March 17, 2023, Pennsylvania has confirmed thirty-two (32) premises, both commercial and non-commercial, infected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the last eight (8) weeks, totaling approximately 295,000 depopulated birds, primarily smaller mixed species growers (7,000 birds or less) supplying East Coast live bird markets, but also including six (6) commercial production premises (turkey—3, ducks—2, and broilers—1). Twenty-three (23) of the detections have been in Lancaster County, as are the overwhelming majority of active control […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of January 16, 2023
GHG Emissions: Council on Environmental Quality Issues New Guidance for Agency Analysis of Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change Impacts ⚡
On January 6, 2023, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued new guidance for agencies in their analysis of how proposed actions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will impact the climate and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. CEQ states that the purpose of the guidance is to help federal agencies better evaluate the impact of their agency actions on climate change. The new guidance asks agencies to consider both “(1) the potential effects of a proposed action on […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of June 20, 2022
Air Quality: PA DEP Releases Rulemaking Proposal for VOC Emissions ⚡
On June 14, 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection held a meeting and released a Final Rulemaking regarding volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. It affects the following VOC sources, “storage vessels; natural gas-driven continuous bleed pneumatic controllers; natural gas-driven diaphragm pumps; reciprocating and centrifugal compressors; and fugitive emissions components.” In addition, the rulemaking includes EPA’s emission limits based on “reasonably available control technology,” otherwise known as RACT requirements. An executive summary can be found here. Next, the DEP will submit the rulemaking to the U.S. Environmental Protection […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of November 29, 2021
Public Lands: Interior Review of Oil and Gas Leasing Programs Finds Failures to Provide a Fair Return
On November 26, 2021, the Department of the Interior (DOI) released a report critiquing the functioning of the federal government’s onshore and offshore leasing programs. The report specifically condemned the leasing programs’ financial operations, suggesting that the royalty rates for leasing on public lands be increased, and that the bonding levels should likewise be increased. The report was requested by President Biden as part of Executive Order 14008 and it was based on studies previously conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) […]
