Green Building Law Update

Environmental Law and Sustainability for Business

Tag Archives: Kaplow

Greenwashing Lawsuit Alleging Plastic Pollution by PepsiCo is Dismissed

By Stuart Kaplow on Posted in Environmental, Green Washing, greenwashing, recycling
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

Gas Stoves Saved: Washington Voters Reject All Electric Building Mandates

By Stuart Kaplow on Posted in Climate Change, Energy, GHG, State
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

Greenwashing? Court Says Coca-Cola’s Aspirational Statements May Mislead Consumers

By Stuart Kaplow on Posted in Environmental, Green Washing, greenhouse gas, greenwashing
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

Lawsuit Against Maryland Seeks to Have First Amendment Apply to Green Power

By Stuart Kaplow on Posted in Energy, State
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

With ‘new’ proposed Maryland BEPS regulations what does a Building Owner do now?

By Stuart Kaplow on Posted in Climate Change, GHG, greenhouse gas, State
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
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