CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
Sweden, The ‘Most Sustainable Nation,’ Leads the Charge in Renewable Energy Market63
California Cap-and-Trade Auction Falls Far Short, Delivering Blow to State Revenue and High Spped Rail Financing64
CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE
Recent Scientific Studies on Climate Change66
PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS
Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties, and Sanctions68
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
California Department of Water Resources Adopts Final Groundwater Sustainability Plan Regulations70
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
U.S. Supreme Court:
U.S. Supreme Court Holds Jurisdictional Delineation by Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act May Be Judicially Challenged73
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers v. Hawkes Co. Inc., ___U.S.___, Case No. 15-290 (May 31, 2016).
Circuit Court of Appeals:
Ninth Circuit Finds Further Analysis under NEPA Required for Wind Energy Project in Oregon75
Oregon Natural Desert Association v. Jewell, ___F.3d___, Case No. 13-36078 (9th Cir. May 26,2016).
Ninth Circuit Supports BLM Decision to Grant Right of Way on Public Lands to Facilitate Wind Project76
Protect Our Communities Foundation v. Jewell, ___F.3d___, Case No. (9th Cir. June 7, 2016).
District Court:
District Court Delays Ruling on the Constitutionality of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Pending Further Briefing78
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, et. al. v. Richard W. Corey, et al., ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 1:10-cv-163-LJO-BAM (E.D. Cal. May 13, 2016).
RECENT STATE DECISIONS
California Court of Appeal Rules Removing Minimum Residential Density Requirements in General Plan Not CEQA Categorically Exempt80
People for Proper Planning v. City of Palm Springs, ___Cal.App.4th___, Case No. E062725 (4th Dist. May 20, 2016).
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Finds that State Department of Environmental Protection Falls Short in the Regulation of GHG Emissions82
Isabel Kain & Others v. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Case No. SJC-11961 (Mass May 17, 2016).
Washington State Appellate Court Upholds State Regulator’s Decision to Restrict Utility Cost Recovery to In-State Power Facilities84
PacificCorp v. Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, Case No. 46009-2 (Wash.App. Apr. 27, 2016).
