Many cities across California are turning to the judiciary to address the effects of climate change. In the past year, eight California cities and municipalities have filed lawsuits against major oil producers seeking damages for the companies’ contribution to climate change via their production of fossil fuels. In September of 2017, the cities of San Francisco and Oakland filed suit against BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Exxon Mobil, claiming damages and […]

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The Department of the Interior (DOI) recently proposed a series of new changes to offshore drilling regulations as a part of President Trump’s sweeping de-implementation of Obama-era regulations and policies. These changes will affect both the scope of offshore drilling operations in federal waters around the United States as well as the safety standards in place at each facility. These revisions are included as a part of a new budget […]

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A recent ruling by the California Court of Appeal may have some hazardous substance manufacturers concerned that they could more frequently be the target of cost recovery actions by California agencies who have remediated redevelopment sites.  In City of Modesto et al., v. The Dow Chemical Company et al., 19 Cal.App.5th 130 (2018) (“City of Modesto”), the court expanded on an earlier holding that the Polanco Redevelopment Act (Cal. Health […]

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Valentine’s Day has become synonymous with flowers, candy, balloons, and cards but one thing that often accompanies many of these gifts is not actually so cheery.  Scientists and environmental experts are calling on the public to eliminate one Valentine’s staple from their celebrations today and throughout the year: glitter. Environmental experts argue that glitter is a direct environmental threat to aquatic environments worldwide.  Most glitter is made of plastic and, […]

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