FEATURE ARTICLE
The Endangered Species Act, Global Climate Change and the Trump Administration by David C. Smith, Esq., Stice & Block, LLP, Oakland,
California275
CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
President Trump Signs Executive Orders to Advance the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines282
U.S. Senate Confirms Scott Pruitt as EPA Administrator283
UPDATE ON THE SCIENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Recent Scientific Studies on Climate Change285
PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS
Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties, and Sanctions287
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
California’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update: The Proposed Scenario290
California Utility Companies Propose to Spend $1 Billion to Electrify Transportation Sector291
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Congress Passes Waters Infrastructure ‘Improvements for the Nation’ Act, Promises to Support California Water Agencies294
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Court of Appeals:
Climate Scientist’s Defamation Claims Survive Early Dismissal Motion at the D.C. Circuit Based on Anti-Slapp Statute295
Competitive Enterprise Institute v. Mann, ___F.3d___, Case No. 14-CV-101 (D.C. Cir. Dec. 22, 2016).
District Court:
District Court Holds Payment Pursuant to Settlement Agreement for Crude Oil Spill Was a Civil Penalty Not Subject to Contribution Action298
Chevron Pipe Line Company v. Pacificorp, d/b/a/ Rocky Mountain Power, ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. 2:12-CV-287-TC (D. Ut. Jan. 27, 2017).
District Court Requires EPA to Study Financial Costs of Administration or Enforcement of the Clean Air Act299
Murray Energy Corp. v. McCarthy, ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. 5:14-CV-39 (N.D. W.V. 2016).
District Court Finds Federal/State Wildlife Data Collection Program Offended NEPA and the Wilderness Act—Orders Destruction of Data301
Wilderness Watch v. Vilsack, ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. 4:16-cv-12-BLW (D. Id. Jan. 18, 2017).