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Monthly Archives: October 2016

The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan is Underway

Mon Oct 17th, On Environmental Law, by

On September 14, 2016, in a long-anticipated move certain to interest renewable energy project developers, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement for Phase I of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), which is specifically focused on federal lands. The DRECP implements a holistic framework to facilitate streamlined permitting of renewal energy projects and facilities in the Mojave, […]

Comment Period Ends October 31, 2016 for EPA Draft ICR Surveys That Could Lead to Expansion of GHG Regulations of Methane Emissions to Existing Sources in Oil and Gas Sector Under Clean Air Act

Mon Oct 17th, On Environmental Law, by

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published a second draft for public comment of an information collection request (ICR) that will provide information for EPA to use to develop comprehensive regulations to reduce methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from existing sources. Public comments are due by October 31, 2016. In particular, EPA is seeking information about natural gas venting during maintenance activities at existing oil and gas facilities, […]

Rejection of the New Project Test in Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens v. College of San Mateo: More Consistency for Project Developers

Tue Oct 11th, On Environmental Law, by

On September 19, 2016, in a unanimous decision affecting project developers concerned about extensive and wasteful subsequent CEQA review, the California Supreme Court in Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens v. College of San Mateo rejected the arbitrary “new project test” and confirmed that California courts would continue to give deference to the guidance of lead agencies and would apply the “substantial evidence” test to determine whether an […]

California Environmental Lawyers Monitor NAM’s Petition for Writ of Cert on WOTUS Jurisdictional Issue and Possible Impacts on California Ag and Property Owners

Mon Oct 10th, On Environmental Law, by

In the latest move to shut down EPA’s Clean Water Rule, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to decide a threshold jurisdictional question. This question has haunted the 22 court challenges to the rule from the start; namely, which court has original jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to hear legal challenges to EPA’s rule — the federal courts of appeal or federal trial […]

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