Alerts & Events

Supreme Court Holds that Mine Tailings May Be Regulated as “Fill Material” under the Clean Water Act

On Monday, June 22, 2009, the Supreme Court, in Coeur Alaska, Inc. v. Southeast Alaska Conservation Council et al., reversed a decision of the Ninth Circuit that had invalidated a permit issued by the Army Corps of Engineers for the discharge of mine slurry from an Alaska gold mine into a lake located three miles from the mine site.

Eleventh Circuit Holds that Transfers of Pollutants Among Waters of the United States Are Exempted from Clean Water Act Section 402 Requirements

On June 4, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit held in Friends of the Everglades v. South Florida Water Management District that Section 402 of the Clean Water Act does not apply to discharges of pollutants resulting from a water transfer between distinct bodies of navigable water.

PHMSA Issues Advisory Bulletin Regarding Microalloyed High Grade Pipe That May Not Meet Minimum Specifications

On May 14, 2009, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration issued an Advisory Bulletin advising owners and operators of newly constructed natural gas and hazardous liquids pipeline systems that recently installed microalloyed high grade line pipe (generally Grade X-70 and above) may exhibit inconsistent chemical and mechanical properties.

MMS Issues Final Regulations Governing Renewable Energy Projects on the OCS

On April 22, 2009, the Minerals Management Service of the U.S. Department of Interior issued its long-awaited final regulations implementing its authority under Section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way for renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf.

House Passes Climate Change and Clean Energy Bill

On June 26th, the House of Representatives voted 219 to 212 to pass H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, marking the first time a body of Congress has passed legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - June 29, 2009

ACES passes the House by a vote of 219-212. Passage of the bill provides a potential roadmap for appealing to agriculture-state and cost-sensitive moderates in the Senate. The ACES victory also provides the Obama Administration with an incrementally stronger negotiating position in Copenhagen . . . Eight Republicans crossed party lines to support the bill (according to Congressional Quarterly, seven are from districts carried by Obama), but 44 Democrats voted against the bill. Senate Majority Leader Reid and Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman Boxer announced that the EPW Committee would consider cap-and-trade legislation in July with the aim of passing a bill in the Senate this fall. It is not clear that the rest of the Senate is prepared to move on such an aggressive timetable.

Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - June 22, 2009

Having successfully reported a bill out of the Committee, which has a healthy contingent of moderates with fossil interests, Chairmen Waxman and Markey now find themselves confronted with a revolt of farm-state Democrats led by Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN). It appears that negotiations will continue through the week ahead, with a vote on the bill potentially arriving as early as Saturday, June 27th . . . State Department Climate Envoy Todd Stern proposed that China agree to a "peak" emissions year even though China appears not ready to commit to an absolute cap on emissions ...The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee reported an energy bill with some Republican support, but expect further action by the full Senate on the renewable electricity standard, drilling, and nuclear power.

Alaska Energy & Environmental Policy Update - June 19, 2009

Mark-up of the Senate energy bill wrapped up this week with provisions that will impact energy development in Alaska. Various energy proposals are brewing in the House of Representatives, including a U.S. carbon cap-and-trade program. The Department of the Interior has asked the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to clarify a ruling that vacated the 5-year oil and gas leasing program. U.S. policy on the Arctic has been getting attention on Capitol Hill. The Obama budget proposes to slash critical funding for the Denali Commission. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has asserted authority over roadless areas in national forests.

Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Regulation

Carbon taxes are fine, but a cap-and-trade program is better

Stimulating the Economy, One Green Job at a Time

How Long Should Obama Wait for Congress to Act on Climate Change?

Bob Nordhaus responds to the question,"How Long Should Obama Wait for Congress to Act on Climate Change?"

Changes Affecting Hydropower Projects

Matt Love is speaking at this event.

Renewable Energy in the Pacific Northwest

Malcolm McLellan is speaking at this event.

Waterpower XVI

Chuck Sensiba is speaking at this event. Matt Love is attending.

AGA's Legal Forum and Golf Tournament

Tom Roberts is speaking at this event. Curt Moffatt and Susan Olenchuk are attending. Van Ness Feldman is a Gold Patron Sponser.