FEATURE ARTICLE
U.S. Supreme Court’s New Discharge to Groundwater Decision in County of Maui Raises More Questions Than It Answers by Brenda Bass, Esq., Downey Brand LLP, Sacramento3
CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order that Suspends Certain Noticing Deadlines Under the California Environmental Quality Act8
Los Angeles Has the Cleanest Air in the World During COVID-19 Shelter-At-Home9
CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE
Recent Scientific Studies on Climate Change11
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
California State Water Resources Control Board Adopts Permanent Monthly Water Use Reporting Requirements14
PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS
Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties, and Sanctions16
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
New Lawsuit filed in Montana State Court Claiming State’s Energy Policies Cause Injury to ‘Youth’ Plaintiffs Due to Climate Change20
JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Federal:
U.S. Supreme Court Finds State Law Claims
for Oilfield Cleanup Restoration Plan More Stringent than a CERCLA Plan May Require EPA
Approval22
Atlantic Richfield Co. v. Christian et.al., ___U.S.___, 140 S.Ct. 1335 (April 20, 2020).
District Court finds Nationwide Permit for Keystone Xl Pipeline Project Violates the Endangered Species Act24
Northern Plains Resource Council v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. CV-19-44-GF-BMM (D. Mt. Apr. 15, 2020, amended order May 11, 2020).
State:
California Court of Appeal Upholds CEQA
Environmental Impact Report for Oil Refinery
Project26
Communities for a Better Environment v. South Coast Air Quality Management District, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. B293327 (2nd Dist. Apr. 2, 2020).
