Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 20, 2025

The rules, known as the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), were finalized in December 2024. The Clean Electricity Regulations are an important part of Canadas climate plan. The regulations work by placing an annual limit on the pollution from electricity produced using fossil fuels. So, do they do the job? Lets have a look.

Electricity 79

Electricity Regulations Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 79

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Although the country’s federal energy regulator has had a disconcertingly nonchalant attitude towards these events.) But in the long-term, the jury is still out, and clean energy technologies such as long-duration energy storage could play a major role in meeting grid reliability needs if we accredit gas capacity more accurately.)

Fossil Fuels 240

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Technology 240

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 15, 2022

The EPA is getting ready to finalize a critical regulation limiting emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NO X ) and soot (or particulate matter, PM 2.5 ) from new heavy-duty trucks. This is the first time EPA has sought to limit emissions in over two decades, and it is long overdue.

Regulations 212

Regulations 2027 Nitrogen Oxides Technology 212

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 1, 2024

This decision , reached with a 6-3 majority led by Chief Justice John Roberts, marks a significant shift in administrative law and has profound implications for environmental regulations and climate accountability. Successful court cases could limit the scope of future regulations. Worse, agencies may decide not to even try.

Regulations 351

Regulations Fossil Fuels Environmental Protection Clean Air Act 351

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 19, 2025

over the existing technology. Reusing depleted oil and gas wells would allow operators to access geothermal heat in hot rock formations underground, eliminating upfront costs of drilling new wells and potentially making the technology more appealing to industry, the scientists said.

Technology 70

Technology Technology Renewable Energy Clean Energy 70

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 23, 2024

Assembly Bills: A major focus of environmental regulation in California has been on ways to alleviate the health disparities faced by environmentally burdened frontline communities. Let’s see which of the environmental bills I’ve been tracking for Legal Planet were touchdowns and which ones were sidelined.

Law 264

Law Carbon Monoxide 2029 2024 264

Law Columbia

JANUARY 31, 2025

The Sabin Center has previously discussed the regulation of OAE here and here. A new Sabin Center report continues the conversation by focusing on the regulation of OAE in Washington State. OAE projects conducted in near-shore areas off the Washington coast may be subject to regulation at the federal, state, tribal and local levels.

Ocean 59

Ocean Regulations Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere 59

Legal Planet

MARCH 28, 2025

While many environmental effects may already be considered and regulated under other statutes, there may be many other effects that are not considered under other statutes. It might be because the environmental effect is an uncommon one, one that was not seen as widespread or important enough to justify regulation.

Clean Water Act 130

Clean Water Act Clean Air Act Endangered Species Act Regulations 130

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

You don’t have to look beyond the front pages of newspapers , or beyond rooftops in your neighborhood to know that we are in the midst of a clean energy revolution, with renewable energy technologies dramatically decreasing in price and increasing in availability.

Law 325

Law Renewable Energy Clean Energy Fossil Fuels 325

Environment + Energy Leader

MAY 5, 2023

Likewise, the implementation of the truck marks an important step toward new California regulations that require the adoption of zero-direct emission truck refrigeration technologies.

Electricity 244

Electricity Technology Technology Regulations 244

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 16, 2021

Utilities were famously set in their ways, using nineteenth century technologies to produce and deliver their products. Technological changes. Wind and solar energy aren’t new ideas, but rapid technological changes have driven prices down to a fraction of their earlier levels. Only specialists really paid much attention.

Law 246

Law Fossil Fuels Regulations Electricity 246

Legal Planet

JUNE 24, 2024

Without such data, state and federal water regulators can’t administer and enforce water rights systems effectively and on a timely basis. Berkeley report provides an excellent set of recommendations for state policymakers and water regulators as to how these monitoring deficiencies can and should be corrected.

Technology 289

Technology Technology Environmental Science Law 289

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

I’ve written previously about how the truck industry is fighting regulations at the state and federal level with everything they’ve got. One of the scare tactics truck manufacturers have been pushing is the old industry canard of job-killing regulations. Why would truck regulations impact jobs?

2007 288

2007 Nitrogen Oxides Regulations 2004 288

Law and Environment

AUGUST 18, 2023

In rejecting Montana’s SIP, EPA repeatedly pointed to Montana’s failure to comply with EPA’s guidelines for determining Best Available Retrofit Technology, even though the guidelines were not enforceable regulations. The post Guidance Is Still Not the Same as Regulation first appeared on Law and the Environment.

Regulations 130

Regulations Clean Air Act Technology Technology 130

Legal Planet

AUGUST 5, 2021

In much of the country, those wholesale transactions are under the control of regional transmission organizations established by federal power regulators, but that’s not true everywhere. In those states where rates are regulated, regulators can do some things to shift these incentives.

Fossil Fuels 299

Fossil Fuels Regulations Clean Energy Renewable Energy 299

Legal Planet

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Although the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has existing regulations intended to control fugitive dust emissions, outdated dust mitigation measures and inconsistent enforcement have left communities like Sun Valley without adequate protection. We look forward to this bill heading to committee after 30 days.

Recycling 130

Recycling 2006 Technology Technology 130

Legal Planet

AUGUST 22, 2023

States and local air quality regulators have the legal authority to set particulate matter (PM), ozone, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions standards and adopt regulations for these pollutants when they are already in attainment of the national ambient air quality standards ( NAAQS ) set by the U.S.

Regulations 130

Regulations Ozone Air Pollution Clean Air Act 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 17, 2025

In the rush to integrate artificial intelligence into the economy, fast-moving information technology companies are running into a problem: slow-moving electric utilities. The notion that an existing power plant can serve a data center, and not use the grid, is now before regulators for consideration.

Electricity 196

Electricity Nuclear Power Technology Technology 196

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 13, 2022

The article quotes a range of economists and other climate policy experts to the effect that subsidies and regulations are superior to carbon pricing because they can address equity issues, and that they can move investment in decarbonization technology more quickly than carbon pricing.

Politics 246

Politics Climate Change Fossil Fuels Technology 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 24, 2022

But while the scoping plan talks a lot about the low carbon technologies we need, it also should be clearer about the implications for the technologies we are leaving behind, so everyone can plan for what comes next. What is a petroleum phaseout plan and why does California need one?

Technology 287

Technology Technology Carbon Dioxide Electricity 287

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 22, 2024

The federal Clean Water Act directs the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set and enforce the rules that regulate this pollution. The proposal also introduces regulations for E. Importantly, the agency affirmed that affordable technologies exist to help slaughterhouses meet the proposed standards.

Clean Water Act 273

Clean Water Act Regulations Technology Technology 273

New Scientist

DECEMBER 11, 2023

The European Union is finalising its AI Act, which attempts to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, but it isn't clear that the legislation can keep pace with the cutting edge of technology

Regulations 113

Regulations Technology Technology 113

Legal Planet

MARCH 21, 2022

But this seemingly simple calculation turns out to be riddled with uncertainties, particularly when you’re talking about regulating the energy industry. Those uncertainties need more attention in designing regulations. That’s because figuring out what the regulation actually cost is tricky.

2011 246

2011 Regulations Natural Gas Pollution Control 246

Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) A. Investment and incentives for clean technologies under the Inflation Reduction Act. Nuclear power regulation D. FERC pipeline regulation (natural gas and hydrogen). California authority to regulate new vehicles D. Social Cost of Carbon D.

Law 246

Law Endangered Species Act Clean Air Act Biofuels 246

Legal Planet

JANUARY 2, 2023

Last week, MIT’s “Technology Review” reported that a small startup firm is proposing to spray reflective aerosols in the stratosphere commercially as a climate corrective. And in all likelihood, they are not breaking any current law or regulation. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection or SAI.) Could this activity change the climate?

Cooling 364

Cooling Atmosphere Regulations Government 364

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

But switching to electricity has also opened the door to new automakers, as complex engines with proprietary technologies are replaced with comparatively simpler electric motors and batteries. Regulations still important to ensure the transition to EV accelerates.

Electricity 299

Electricity 2026 Regulations 2015 299

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

And current EPA regulations for public health don’t require facilities to account for fugitive emissions , meaning companies have no reason to rein them in. These GHGs are not regulated, so producers can emit them freely. And any fines for violating regulations are paltry sums to companies that make billions of dollars per quarter.

Climate Change 304

Climate Change Regulations Recycling Greenhouse 304

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

It is important to acknowledge this oversight in Carson’s work, and in the subsequent regulatory infrastructure designed to regulate chemicals, and to commit ourselves to do better in today’s world by working to identify and address these environmental injustices. And yes, they really were that hyperbolic.

Toxic Substances Control Act 325

Toxic Substances Control Act Regulations Government Technology 325

Scientific American

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

As social media more frequently exposes people to brutality and untruths, we need to treat it like a consumer product, and that means product safety regulations

Regulations 118

Regulations Technology Technology 118

Legal Planet

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Our system of environmental regulation divides up regulation of a single substance based on each of its environmental impacts. But this excuse is wearing thin as clean technologies have advanced. We think of fossil fuels as a source of climate change, but that’s only a one part of the problem. Consider coal.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Water Act Climate Change 246

Legal Planet

MAY 19, 2023

In 2016 Monterey County voters passed Measure Z, a citizen initiative intended to bar the drilling of new oil and gas wells in the county and ban the use of fracking technology for existing wells in Monterey County. The oil and gas industry, led by Chevron U.S.A.,

Law 264

Law Fossil Fuels Climate Change Regulations 264

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 18, 2024

On January 18, the Department of Environmental Protection presented the final version of technical guidance on using trenchless technology to construct natural gas, other pipelines and underground utilities to the DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee. Each project that proposes trenchless technology (e.g.,

Natural Gas 107

Natural Gas Technology Technology Regulations 107

Circle of Blue

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Satellite data is one monitoring tool regulators turn to in this very dry year. Regulators at the State Water Resources Control Board voted in August to cut off many farms and towns that withdraw water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed, which drains about 40 percent of the state’s land. Photo taken June 15, 2021.

Regulations 345

Regulations 2014 2021 Technology 345

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 13, 2022

This new regulation would apply to delivery vans, big rigs, box trucks, and buses. Regulate more tractor trucks, including the smaller fleets. and NOx emissions reductions from tractor trucks while still only regulating around 13 percent of California tractor fleets.

Electricity 239

Electricity Air Pollution Nitrogen Oxides 2030 239

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 24 PA Bulletin the final technical guidance on using trenchless technology to construct natural gas, other pipelines and underground utilities is now available and effective. A copy of the related Comment and Response Document is also available. Read more here.] [On

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Technology Technology Regulations 98

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 29, 2024

On April 29, Max Environmental Technologies, Inc. EPA officials inspected the facility in March 20-24, 2023, to determine MAX’s compliance with environmental regulations, including the terms of its PA DEP-issued CWA and RCRA permits. There is no timetable on when the regulation is to be finalized. Read more here.

Waste 100

Waste Technology Technology Clean Water Act 100

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

Renewable energy generation increases faster than any other technology. Generation from renewable technologies more than covers the increase in electricity demand, also making up for coal and nuclear plant retirements. Source: US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (AEO2022).

Natural Gas 289

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 289