Author: Jesse G. Richheimer

Young plant in the morning light on nature background
Climate Change / Emerging Issues
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Earth Day 2025: States Step Up for Biodiversity Amid Global Goals

As we reflect on environmental stewardship this week, the accelerating loss of biodiversity remains one of the most critical challenges facing our planet. Healthy ecosystems provide essential services – clean air and water, pollination, climate regulation, and more – underpinning human well-being and economic stability. While international efforts aim to address this crisis, action within the United States increasingly relies on state-level leadership and legal innovation.

Globally, the primary framework for conservation is the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In 2022, parties to the …

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Emerging Issues / Legislation / Litigation / North Dakota
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Is Environmental Activism Litigation in Trouble?

In a landmark decision, a North Dakota jury has ordered Greenpeace to pay over $660 million in damages to Energy Transfer, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). This verdict stems from Greenpeace’s involvement in the 2016-2017 protests against the pipeline’s construction near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Energy Transfer accused Greenpeace of defamation, trespassing, nuisance, and civil conspiracy, alleging that the organization orchestrated violent protests and disseminated false information about the pipeline, leading to significant financial losses.

The DAPL project…

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Spraying trees against pests
EPA / Water Contamination
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Green Groups Urge Ninth Circuit to Push EPA on Atrazine Re-evaluation

Environmental groups are once again urging the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to compel the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expedite its re-evaluation of atrazine, a widely used herbicide with significant environmental and health concerns. This legal push highlights the ongoing struggle between regulatory bodies and environmental advocates over the safety and regulation of chemical substances in agriculture.

Atrazine is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States, primarily applied to control broadleaf and grassy weeds in crops like corn, …

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Wind turbines at London Array offshore wind park, North Sea, near England, United Kingdom.
Clean Power
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Navigating the Shifting Sands: Legal Challenges and Opportunities in Offshore Wind Development

Offshore wind energy is rapidly emerging as a critical component of the global transition to renewable energy sources. Harnessing the vast wind resources available at sea offers significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy security. However, the development of offshore wind projects presents a complex web of legal and regulatory challenges that must be navigated effectively to ensure successful implementation.

One key legal area involves the permitting process. Offshore wind projects typically require a multitude of permits and approvals from various federal, …

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Smoke emission from powerfull SUV car with exhaust pipe
Emissions / EPA
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SCOTUS Declines to Review EPA’s Authority on California’s Vehicle Emission Standards

SCOTUS Declines to Review EPA’s Authority on California’s Vehicle Emission Standards

    In a significant development for environmental law and state autonomy, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently declined to review whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to grant California a waiver to set its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for vehicles. This decision leaves in place California’s ability to implement stricter emission rules, marking a key moment in the ongoing battle over federal and state environmental regulations.…

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