Teresa Buckingham, CSP, SMS’ Post

Here is a good local opportunity for some PDU’s on two interesting industry topics.

Interesting article from two of my colleagues on the evolving world of Environmental Justice.

How is implementation of Justice40, the federal government's marquee environmental justice initiative, progressing? Read more at my new blog below, co-authored with the amazing Lydia Kubiak-Cardona. Whether you're a grant applicant or a policy nerd, you'll find something interesting here.

#Louisiana is one of only four states that has a public trust doctrine enshrined in the state’s constitution. The doctrine, which requires that state regulators protect the environment, is now being reexamined in a new case concerning #EnvironmentalJustice and air permitting in Louisiana. In a recent article from InsideEPA, several Liskow blog posts authored by our environmental justice lawyers were featured in discussing how the doctrine may fare in this court challenge. Some of the issues brought up in the article include: • Whether an #EnvironmentalJustice analysis is required under the public trust doctrine.  • What standards apply to an #EnvironmentalJustice analysis. Click the link in the comments to read the mentioned blogs authored by Emily von Qualen, Clare Bienvenu, Greg Johnson, Cherrell Simms Taplin, and Louis Buatt

The latest post from GreenLaw discusses the problems with the Major Questions Doctrine and the future of administrative agency authority in the wake of West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency. You can read it here: https://lnkd.in/edheAxGs

In discussing environmental enforcement as part of our essay series on regulatory compliance, former Department of Justice official John C. Cruden emphasizes the importance of enforcement to the economy and the new role for private actors. https://buff.ly/3Nx7l8S

To avoid runaway global heating — which would spell the end of human civilization within this century, and the likely deaths of billions within 2-3 decades — human civilization must cut greenhouse gas emissions (which means cutting fossil fuel uses) 75% BEFORE 2030, and 90% by 2040. Human civilization is also in a state of extreme ecological overshoot, using natural resources far faster than they can replenish. This creates the risk of collapse of large segments of human civilization by mid-Century, even if there were no global heating. Mitigation requires global energy cuts of >60% by 2040. In short, 75% of fossil fuel uses must be eliminated BEFORE 2030, 90% by 2040, if there is to be any possibility for avoiding runaway global heating that will end human civilization and cause the deaths of many billions of people during this century. These cuts must be made no matter what the consequences... because any other consequences will be of less scale and severity than failing to make these cuts. It is imperative that INGAA, and others in the fossil fuel industries, accept these facts, and select pathways to phase out their businesses, beginning immediately — for their own good, as well as for the greater good.

The Hill Attorneys general from 13 Democrat-led states and Washington, D.C., are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen a proposal that seeks to limit Americans’ exposure to lead service lines. The EPA last year proposed that nearly all lead pipes that carry water be replaced in 10 years because lead exposure can damage children’s brains and nervous systems. Read the full story at: https://bit.ly/49Jzrq5 #environmentallaw #environmentallawyer #newportri #desautelbrowninglaw #rhodeisland #newengland

We would like to personally thank everyone who joined us earlier this week for our online briefing – Safeguarding WA’s EPA and Environment and being a part of the conversation including our speakers - Dr. Richard Yin, President of the Conservation Council of WA and Ruby Hamilton, from the Environmental Defenders Office. Demand to join the briefing was overwhelmingly high and we apologize to those that were not able to join. You can now view the recording - https://lnkd.in/gEMkFJde. We look forward to working collectively with all of you to campaign on this critical issue. The briefing delved into the potential threats to WA's unique natural environment and the independence of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), as well as how we can take action together. Find the next steps below: 1) Email Your MPs and Premier Cook - https://lnkd.in/g7UZ9qQ6 2) Join a working group to coordinate a response to the Cook Government's proposed overhaul of the EPA - https://lnkd.in/gRAy6ibC 3) Save the date - 7th February 2024 - for our first Environment Matters where we will further discuss the critical issues surrounding the proposed overhaul.

Environmental justice is a growing priority at the federal and state level in permitting new and existing industrial facilities, as well as a federal enforcement priority. The Liskow #EnvironmentalJustice team applies their multidisciplinary expertise to guide clients in effectively managing the complex dynamics of environmental justice issues and considerations. Learn more about our EJ team at the link in the comments. Clare Bienvenu | Greg Johnson | Cherrell Simms Taplin | Emily von Qualen