Climate

New York Tightens Environmental Laws, Introduces Penalties for Polluters as State Struggles to Meet Climate Goals

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Albany, N.Y. — In an ambitious bid to tackle climate change, New York State has enhanced its legislative framework to significantly lower its carbon footprint. The state, which has established some of the most stringent environmental goals in the nation, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically within the next few decades. Signed into law in 2019 by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) set forth pioneering benchmarks for emissions reductions. The statute requires the state to curtail its climate pollution to 40% below the 1990 levels by the year … Read more

Arnold & Porter Maintains Elite Tier 1 Rankings in Environmental and Energy Law, Leading The Charge in Climate Change Litigation

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WASHINGTON — Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP celebrated its sustained excellence in several key legal arenas, according to the newly released rankings from Legal 500 USA. The prestigious law firm has once again been distinguished with top-tier rankings in multiple practice areas including environmental regulation and litigation, as well as product liability and mass tort defense related to toxic torts. The firm’s environmental practices have garnered exceptional recognition, with its Litigation group being lauded for its comprehensive expertise across the United States. Handling a diverse range of cases involving climate change, air and water … Read more

California Judge Narrows Chamber of Commerce Lawsuit Over State Corporate Climate Rules

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San Francisco, CA — In a recent significant ruling, a federal judge in California decided to pare down a lawsuit initiated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce along with various business organizations challenging the state’s new corporate climate disclosure mandates. The judge dismissed two of the lawsuit’s complaints due to lack of substantiated claims. The regulations, which were introduced to enhance transparency concerning the environmental impact of corporate activities, have sparked a broad debate about the balance between business operations and environmental accountability. The mandates require companies to disclose detailed information regarding their carbon footprint … Read more

Voters Rein in Honolulu City Council Pay Raises and Usher in New Amendments to Tackle Emergency Management and Climate Change

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Honolulu, Hawaii – A significant change in pay policy for Honolulu City Council members will take effect with the new year, following overwhelming voter support for a charter amendment that limits annual council raises to 5%. This decision comes after a controversial 64% salary increase approved in 2023, which propelled council salaries to over $113,000 from approximately $68,900. The approval for the charter amendment garnered an astonishing 90.6% of votes in the November general election. Under the new rules, any future raises for council members will now be aligned with the average salary increases of … Read more