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Pat Parenteau

Merrick Garland nominated for attorney general

Merrick Garland — once blocked from high court — is set to become attorney general

Biden administration

President Biden has named Judge Merrick Garland as his pick for attorney general. In his position as chief judge of the DC Circuit court, Garland has ruled over many disputes related to environmental rules and regulations. 

Dakota Access pipeline protest

How Trump is weakening the National Environmental Policy Act

Environment
Kavanaugh 2006

What would a Justice Kavanaugh mean for the environment?

Politics
Bits of icebergs can be seen that have broken off the Sawyer Glacier in Alaska, where the effects of climate change are being felt at a higher rate than the Lower 48.

Alaskan youth sue state government for lack of action against climate change

Environment
Juliana v US kids

Circuit court declines to halt climate case brought by youth plaintiffs

Justice
Coal power plant in New Mexico

The US Supreme Court will hear a challenge to EPA mercury emissions rule

Environment

For years, the coal industry has enjoyed tax benefits and exemptions from strict environmental regulations. But those days might be over: President Barack Obama is using EPA authority under the Clean Air Act to try to curb coal power plant emissions, including CO2 and mercury. But coal interests are fighting back in the courts.

President to Order Agencies To Consider the Climate

President Obama is expected to direct government agencies to consider the effects on climate change before they approve new permits, loan or projects. Authority for the directive comes from the the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970.

The U.S. Government Starts Regulating Global Warming Gases

The first of EPA’s new rules to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant went into effect Jan 2nd. The regulations will mean a huge reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the US but some states like Texas claim EPA rules infringe states’ rights.

A New Way to Tackle Carbon Emissions

The Second US Circuit Court of Appeals rules that the CO2 coming out of power plants is a “public nuisance.” The land-mark decision opens up big utilities to lawsuits from groups of people affected by climate change.

The Bottom Line on Climate Change

The New York Attorney General investigates whether energy companies are hiding the true costs of coal and global warming from their investors.