The growing national focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is creating new challenges for the application of one of the most venerable federal environmental laws, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires federal agencies to analyze the environmental effects of their proposed actions in formal environmental studies. The purpose of the law is to generate better information on environmental impacts for agency decisionmakers and the public, so that agencies can make better decisions.

The author reviews Oliver Houck’s inspirational book, Taking Back Eden: Eight Environmental Cases That Changed the World. In this book, Houck tells the stories of courageous citizens in eight countries who took legal action to defend the environment.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, AB 32, multiple memoranda of understanding, and recent Executive Orders have created a “perfect storm” of renewable energy policies, making California the hottest place for large-scale renewable energy development in the country. These policies and laws have inspired collaboration among multiple agencies, streamlined project review processes, and triggered substantial engagement from stakeholders throughout the state and country.

Utility-scale solar power is coming into its own as various technologies compete for market share. On January 26, 2011, the Environmental Law Institute brought together a panel of experts to consider thermal and photovoltaic technologies. Among the issues discussed were permitting and siting on federal versus private lands, transmission, environmental impact considerations, and the potential for future growth in relation to other renewable energy sources.