On October 31, PepsiCo won a victory obtaining the complete dismissal with prejudice of a suit by New York Attorney General Letitia James alleging that PepsiCo had created a “public nuisance” of plastic litter and marine plastic pollution in New York’s Buffalo River and surrounding environs. At a time when greenwashing claims have become de … Continue Reading
In the name of combating climate change, the Maryland government is driving policies to create an artificial energy scarcity that will require billions of dollars in new expense.… Continue Reading
While many Americans were focused on the presidential election last Tuesday, citizens from Washington State and others interested in energy were paying attention to a successful Washington voter initiative protecting access to natural gas for homes and businesses, including preventing regulatory actions to limit access to gas in favor of all electric buildings. On November … Continue Reading
As more local governments pursue net zero and decarbonization laws, they will find themselves navigating this intricate landscape of federal preemption, consumer demand, and economic impact, with significant implications for the future of American energy use and climate policy… Continue Reading
A recent ruling from a federal appellate court is bringing new attention to claims of greenwashing including specifically that a business’s aspiration statements about environmental matters (e.g., “we will be net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040” or “we will use at least 50% recycled material in our packaging by 2030”) can be actionable. The … Continue Reading
A group of energy companies are suing the State of Maryland challenging the recently enacted Senate Bill 1, which restrains truthfully marketing clean energy products including renewable electricity in the State, in violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Maryland Declaration of Rights. They assert that the law imposes an unconstitutional “speech … Continue Reading
After all, the goal of climate change mitigation should not blind those who already face a vision crisis, it should illuminate a way forward that supports both the environment and human progress.… Continue Reading
We can assist you in saving time, inconvenience, and expense with your residential contract of sale and the resultant transaction across Maryland… Continue Reading
We are available to assist Maryland businesses in navigating these regulatory challenges, including providing turnkey services for GHG tracking and compliance.… Continue Reading
Last Thursday, the Federal Court in Lake Charles, Louisiana, issued a judgment that may have far reaching implications for environmental justice across the United States. … Continue Reading
Attempts to ban natural gas, be it by building codes, BEPS mandates, or the like, will all fail as preempted by Federal law and this new tactic of taxing fossil fuel out of existence is coming to a jurisdiction where you live or operate a business.… Continue Reading
Residential condominium boards are increasingly restricting or outright prohibiting the use of such EV charging equipment within older garages… Continue Reading
After this post, on September 6, 2024, the Maryland Department of the Environment announced the 2023 Building Energy Performance Standards proposed regulation has been withdrawn and new 2024 BEPS action has been proposed. The full text of the proposed regulatory action appears in the Maryland Register and you can read it there. Or faster and easier you … Continue Reading
By embracing in sink garbage disposals and complementing them with waste reduction and composting efforts, we can all play a part in slowing climate change and creating a more sustainable future.… Continue Reading
This case is pathbreaking because it is the first time a state court has dismissed one of these several similar climate claim suits brought by states and local governments across the country. … Continue Reading
Washinton state citizens are going to vote in the November elections to repeal government's efforts to mandate decarbonization because all electric building laws are wronngheaded environmental public policy.… Continue Reading
Together with other recent Supreme Court cases, this provides a path for good stewardship of the environment without overreaching government. … Continue Reading
The executive order mandates comprehensive economy wide actions in both the public and private sectors, to place Maryland ahead of all other states in mitigating climate change… Continue Reading