April, 2020

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Corona and Energy Law

Energy and Climate Law

The coronavirus (COVID-19) keeps affecting all areas of life and also impacts upon energy law. This blog entry provides a first overview of energy law measures that selected European countries (Germany and the Netherlands) have taken to tackle the energy-related repercussions of the corona-crisis. Germany The legislator in Germany reacted in early March and established three so called ´moratoria´ for the duraction of three months: one safeguarding tenants who cannot pay their rent anymore, one a

Law 130
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Is the universe conscious? It seems impossible until you do the maths

New Scientist

The question of how the brain gives rise to subjective experience is the hardest of all.

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Ranking the 5 Levels of Ag Data Transparency

JANZEN AG

As someone who is immersed in legal issues related to data privacy and ownership, it should come as no surprise that I have a Google alert set up so that I get notified when a company uses the words “transparency” and “ag data” in a sentence. I get 2-5 emails per week, so there is still a lot of buzz in the industry surrounding ag data. What I observe from the email traffic is interesting.

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Climate Neutral Certification – Is It For Your Organization?

Eco Coach

Tomorrow is Earth Day. Unlike past Earth Days, this one will be celebrated remotely as we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the large majority of us are practicing shelter in place. Even though the climate change and single use plastics (can you say plastic gloves?) discussions have been tabled to focus on this more immediate threat, it is important to remember that climate change is still here.

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How to Drive Cost Savings, Efficiency Gains, and Sustainability Wins with MES

Speaker: Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions

Is your manufacturing operation reaching its efficiency potential? A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) could be the game-changer, helping you reduce waste, cut costs, and lower your carbon footprint. Join Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions, in this value-packed webinar as he breaks down how MES can drive operational excellence and sustainability.

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Louisiana Second Circuit Provides Guidance as to Good Faith Required When Conducting Operations Necessary to Interrupt Prescription of Mineral Servitude

The Energy Law Blog

While the long-term fallout from the recent decline in oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear, it is clear that drilling activity has already started to decline. During this downturn in activity, mineral rights owners must remain cognizant of the maintenance activities necessary to preserve their mineral rights. Cannisnia Plantation, LLC v.

2006 40
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Pandemic Response, other Policy Challenges, and Joint Federal-State Agencies

Environmental Law Prof Blog

Imagine, for a moment, that our current discussions about coronavirus shelter-in-place orders were happening in a somewhat different political reality. In that alternative reality, the President and state governors agree that states need to be key players in decisions, but.

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We may have spotted a parallel universe going backwards in time

New Scientist

Strange particles observed by an experiment in Antarctica could be evidence of an alternative reality where everything is upside down

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A Look at the Australian Farm Data Code

JANZEN AG

The National Farmers Federation of Australia has published a Farm Data Code to assist tech providers with development of policies for collection of agricultural data. The Australian Farm Data Code arrived nearly five years after the North America’s “ Core Principles ” for ag data, the Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data, so I thought it would be worth examining how these two documents compare, and whether Australian Farm Data Code is a refinement of North America’s Core Principles or a

Law 52
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Environmental Sustainability in a Time of Adversity

Eco Coach

As the time of this writing, we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, with most of the globe adopting shelter in place. This is an unprecedented time in modern history, and small businesses, self-employed individuals and freelancers are wondering what the future will hold post-pandemic – as is everyone else. One thing is for certain, once business as usual resumes – if there will be such a thing – businesses of all sizes and across most industries will be re-evaluating what projects they c

2019 52
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Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board Approves Resolutions Providing Relief for State Lessees

The Energy Law Blog

A special meeting of the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board was held on April 29, 2020, to address the impacts of both COVID-19 and historically low oil prices on operation and maintenance of Louisiana State Leases. The Board approved two proposed resolutions (1. Proposed Enforcement Moratorium Resolution 2. Proposed Penalty Waiver Resolution ) that will assist State Lessees during these difficult times.

2020 40
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The Key to Sustainable Energy Optimization: A Data-Driven Approach for Manufacturing

Speaker: Kevin Kai Wong, President of Emergent Energy Solutions

In today's industrial landscape, the pursuit of sustainable energy optimization and decarbonization has become paramount. ♻️ Manufacturing corporations across the U.S. are facing the urgent need to align with decarbonization goals while enhancing efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive energy data poses a significant challenge for manufacturing managers striving to meet their targets. 📊 Join us for a practical webinar hosted by Kevin Kai Wong of Emergent Ene

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Supreme Court Green Lights State Law Claims in Superfund Context

Environment Next

In Monday’s split decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) (i) does not preclude owners of contaminated property from pursuing state law claims for nuisance, trespass and strict liability, but (ii) requires EPA approval of any remedial action conducted on the landowners’ property.

Law 40
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Opinion on the Global Policy journal’s website: global health governance in the age of COVID-19

Dario Piselli

At the beginning of last year, the Global Policy journal published a research article on ‘Gridlock, Innovation and Resilience in Global Health Governance‘, that I had co-authored with Ilona Kickbusch, Michaela Told, Kyle McNally and the late David Held. One of the arguments of the study was that our era of growing health risks and Continue reading "Opinion on the Global Policy journal’s website: global health governance in the age of COVID-19".

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USEPA Enforcement is Declining

Environmental Crimes

The enforcement activities by the USEPA have declined in a significant way, under the current administration.  Look no further than the USEPA Inspector General’s report  “ EPA’s Compliance Monitoring Activities, Enforcement Actions, and Enforcement Results Generally Declined from Fiscal Years 2006 Through 2018 ” (Report No. 20-P-013) (“Enforcement and Compliance Report”).  And this comes on the heels of the USEPA announcing plans to “exercise discretion” in the face of COVID-19

2006 40
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Carbon-Labeled Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner

Vermont Law

Carbon-Labeled Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner. Ethan Pauling*. Seared, juicy, cooked to a rosy medium with a mouth-watering aroma, and carbon-labeled¾that’s how I like my steaks. If you drive across the great state of Texas, you will see ranch after ranch after ranch. As someone who was born on a farm in Iowa and grew up in Texas, I have a personal connection to farming and ranching.

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Implementing D.E.J.I. Strategies in Energy, Environment, and Transportation

Speaker: Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (DEJI) policies, programs, and initiatives are critically important as we move forward with public and private sector climate and sustainability goals and plans. Underserved and socially, economically, and racially disadvantaged communities bear the burden of pollution, higher energy costs, limited resources, and limited investments in the clean energy and transportation sectors.

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Local Governments Across the Country File Legal Brief Challenging EPA’s Failure to Address Power Plant Pollution

Columbia Climate Law

Today, the Sabin Center filed an amicus brief on behalf of local governments in support of state and environmental petitioners in American Lung Association v. EPA , the lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s repeal of the Clean Power Plan and the dangerously weak replacement rule. The Clean Power Plan was the Obama Administration’s rule regulating greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants, the nation’s largest stationary source of climate pollution.

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The Supreme Court Looks for a Middle Ground to Determine When Clean Water Act Permit is Required for Discharges to Groundwater

The Energy Law Blog

On April 23, the Supreme Court of the United States issued an opinion in County of Maui, Hawaii v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, et al. , where the Court held that, in limited circumstances, a party discharging pollutants into groundwater that ultimately end up in navigable waters will need a permit under the Clean Water Act. By way of background, the Clean Water Act forbids the “addition” of any pollutant “from any point source” to “navigable waters” without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination S

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Supreme Court Adopts Major New “Functional Equivalent Test” for Discharges under Clean Water Act

Ohio Environmental Law

On April 23rd, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a major ruling interpreting the breadth and scope of the Clean Water Act in County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund. The central issue was whether the Clean Water Act requires a permit when pollutants originate from a point source but are conveyed to navigable waters by a non-point source (in this case groundwater).

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ARCO v. Christian: Supreme Court Allows State Law Claims for Restoration Damages in Excess of EPA Superfund Cleanup, but EPA Must Approve Any Additional Remedial Action

The Energy Law Blog

This week, in a split 7-2 opinion authored by Chief Justice Roberts, the Supreme Court held that Montana state law claims brought by private landowners against Atlantic Richfield Company (“ARCO”) for alleged impacts from the Anaconda Smelter Superfund site are not preempted by CERCLA and are not precluded by ARCO’s settlement of EPA’s CERCLA claims; however, any restoration damages awarded to the landowners must be spent on actual restoration of the property, as required by Montana state law, an

Law 40
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Shaping a Resilient Future: Climate Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Speaker: Laurie Schoeman Director, Climate & Sustainability, Capital

As households and communities across the nation face challenges such as hurricanes, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and cold, and thawing permafrost and flooding, we are increasingly searching for ways to mitigate and prevent climate impacts. During this event, national climate and housing expert Laurie Schoeman will discuss topics including: The two paths for climate action: decarbonization and adaptation.

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EEOC Authorizes Testing of Employees for COVID-19

The Energy Law Blog

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has authorized employers to test employees for the COVID-19 virus before permitting them to enter the workplace. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that any mandatory medical testing of employees be “job related and consistent with business necessity.” Having determined that “an individual with the virus will pose a direct threat to the health of others,” the EEOC announced on April 23 that COVID-19 testing of employees does not

Law 40
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Main Street Lending Programs

The Energy Law Blog

In addition to the SBA’s Payment Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), on April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced that it was going to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to support the economy through various programs, including the Main Street Lending Program (“MSLP”). The MSLP will support credit flow to small and mid-sized businesses by providing support to businesses that were in good financial standing prior to the COVID-19 crisis.

2019 40
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New IRS Guidance on Obtaining Refunds for Net Operating Loss Carrybacks, Corporate AMT Carryforward Credits and Filing Amended Returns for Partnerships

The Energy Law Blog

In a previous post to the Liskow website, we advised clients and friends that the CARES Act, P.L. 116-136, enacted modifications to the rules for the use of net operating losses (“ NOLs ”) and corporate alternative minimum tax carryforward credits (“ AMT Carryforward Credits ”) for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2021.

2018 40
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COVID-19 Lending Resources

The Energy Law Blog

Liskow & Lewis is committed to serving its clients as they adapt to the unprecedented economic consequences of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this commitment, the firm has created a COVID-19 Lending Resource page for the lending programs established by the CARES Act, which provides economic relief for small and medium firms, including non-profits.

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Sustainability at Retail

Sustainability impacts every nation, company, and person around the world. So much so that, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) issued a call for action by all countries to work toward sustainable development. In response to this and as part of a global Sustainability at Retail initiative, Shop! worked collaboratively with its global affiliates to address these critical issues in this white paper.

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Judicial Review on the Validity of Contract Concerning Natural Resources Exploitation and Utilization in Special Regions

Vermont Law

When the idea of ecological civilization and green development became part of China’s national strategy, the issue of illegal exploitation and utilization of natural resources in nature reserves and other special regions also became a public concern. In China, natural resources exploitation and utilization is subject to administrative examination and approval.

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The Common Law as a Critical Lever in Expanding Rights Beyond the Human: Reflections on the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law’s 2018 “Rights of Nature Symposium”

Vermont Law

. The Common Law as a Critical Lever in Expanding Rights Beyond the Human: Reflections on the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law’s 2018 “Rights of Nature Symposium”. .

2018 40
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How Courts Are Developing River Rights Jurisprudence: Comparing Guardianship in New Zealand, Colombia, and India

Vermont Law

. How Courts Are Developing River Rights Jurisprudence: Comparing Guardianship in New Zealand, Colombia, and India. .

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Cruising Into a New Energy Future: A Look Into the Energy Transition in the Cruise Ship Industry

Vermont Law

. Cruising Into a New Energy Future: A Look Into the Energy Transition in the Cruise Ship Industry. .

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Implementing Nature’s Rights Through Regulatory Standards

Vermont Law

. Implementing Nature’s Rights Through Regulatory Standards. .

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Using the Public Trust to “Make it Rain”

Vermont Law

. Using the Public Trust to “Make it Rain”. .

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Volume 20 Issue 3

Vermont Law

. Volume 20 Issue 3. .

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Emerging on the Other Side of the Coronavirus Pandemic: Raising Structured Capital for Small and Mid-Size Businesses

The Energy Law Blog

Background The Coronavirus Pandemic has wreaked havoc on small and mid-sized businesses (“ SMBs ”) throughout Texas and the rest of our country. Many SMBs have had to close their doors due to mandatory stay-at-home orders and other social distancing orders and requirements. The CARES Act and other recent legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump contain several programs designed to assist these businesses in their efforts to make it through the hardships of the next

Law 40
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Earth Day’s 50th Sees Explosion in Rights of Nature Movement Worldwide

Vermont Law

Linda Sheehan, [link]. April 2020. The. 50. th. anniversary of Earth Day. , expected to be celebratory, arrives at a somber moment. COVID-19 human tragedies. continue to ravage communities, and UN Environment warns that “. nature is sending us a message. ” we must heed to avoid future pandemics. This Earth Day demands both deep reflection and bold action.

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EPA’s COVID-19 Policy Will Further Restrict Public Access to Climate Data

Columbia Climate Law

By Romany Webb. Last Thursday, March 26, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a temporary policy on environmental enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy declares that EPA will “exercise enforcement discretion” – code for “take no action” – in relation to certain civil violations of environmental law “caused by COVID-19.” The policy identifies several situations in which COVID-19 may be considered the cause of a violation, including where a regulated entity’s ability