How to Blow Up a Solar Farm: Local Opposition to Renewable Energy Projects
Local opposition to siting of wind and solar energy projects stands to threaten the renewable energy transition in New York State. The state government has sought to quell this opposition by statutorily requiring developers to provide community benefits as a condition of their permits. One way these benefits are secured is through host community agreements (HCAs), with the developer typically agreeing to make payments to the municipality from project revenue in exchange for the municipality promising not to oppose the project during the state permitting process.
Colorado Conservation Alliance v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A district court granted Colorado parks and wildlife agencies' motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the reintroduction of gray wolves in the state. A conservation group argued the agencies violated NEPA by failing to conduct or complete the environmental review process required for wolf introduct...
Center for Biological Diversity v. Culver
A district court granted in part and denied in part summary judgment in environmental groups' challenge to BLM's approval of land management plans designating route networks for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in the western Mojave Desert. The groups argued the 2019 OHV route network violated FLPMA, NEP...