Massachusetts, Commonwealth of v. Exxon Mobil Corp.
A district court remanded back to state court Massachusetts' consumer protection lawsuit concerning an oil company's accounting of climate change risks. The state argued that the company misled and deceived its investors and consumers about the climate risks of fossil fuel products, and moved to rem...
Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges v. Bernhardt
A district court vacated DOI's decision to enter into a land exchange agreement to facilitate construction of a road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Environmental groups argued that the agreement, which DOI acknowledged represented a change in the agency's policy, failed to provi...
Friends of Rapid River v. Probert
In an unpublished opinion, the Ninth Circuit affirmed in part and dismissed in part a challenge to the Forest Service's decision to authorize logging in Idaho's Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. Environmental groups argued the decision violated the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and the ...
San Mateo v. Chevron Corp.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed in part a district court ruling granting California counties' and cities' motions to remand to state court a lawsuit against oil companies alleging nuisance and other causes of action arising from the role of fossil fuel products in global warming. The companies argued the...
Oakland v. BP PLC
The Ninth Circuit vacated and remanded a district court ruling denying San Francisco's and Oakland's motion to remand to state court a lawsuit alleging that oil companies make and sell products that create a public nuisance—sea-level rise—when combusted. The cities argued the district court erre...
Behind the Curtain: Insiders' View of Developing and Enforcing State Climate Change Laws
This Article highlights the role of advocates in pushing government to step up to the challenges of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and remaining steadfast through continued policy enforcement. The authors, who participated in the development of the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act, provide insights regarding climate legislation, regulation, and litigation in a state committed to addressing climate change.