CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
California Spearheads Memorandum of Understanding with Eleven Nations and Provinces to Limit Global Average Temperature59
CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE
Recent Scientific Studies on Climate Change61
PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS
Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties, and Sanctions64
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Most Current El Niño Predictions Forecast High Likelihood of Wet California Winter66
California Air Resources Board Preparing to Regulate Short-Lived Climate Pollutants67
California Public Utilities Commission Issues Drought Restrictions in Response to Governor Brown’s 25 Percent Reduction Mandate68
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
California Assembly Bill 779 Attempts to Delay Implementation of ‘Vehicles Miles Traveled’ Standard in CEQA Analyses71
Oklahoma Governor Signs Bill Outlawing Municipal Fracking Bans in the State72
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
Environmental Group Sues California Department of Water Resources over Delta Drought Barrier74
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Ninth Circuit Partially Grants a Clean Air Act Petition Challenging EPA’s Approval of Revisions to California’s State Implementation Plans76
Committee for a Better Arvin, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al., ___F.3d___, Case Nos. 11-73924, 12-71332 (9th Cir. May 20, 2015).
D.C. Circuit Vacates Portions of EPA Rule Exempting Backup Generators from Clean Air Act Emission Standards78
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ___F.3d___, Case No. 13-1093 (D.C. Cir. May 1, 2015).
Ninth Circuit Holds No Formal Consultation or Environmental Impact Statement Is Necessary for a Private Wind Project80
Sierra Club; Center for Biological Diversity; Defenders of Wildlife v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management, ___F.3___, Case No. 13-15383 (9th Cir. May 27, 2015).
RECENT STATE DECISIONS
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules City of Green Bay Erred in Revoking a Use Permit for a Pyrolytic Gasification Technology Waste-to-Energy Plant82
Oneida Seven Generations Corp. v. City of Green Bay, 2015 WI 50, 353 Wis.2d, 553, 846 N.W.2d 33 (Wis. Published, May 29, 2015).