In this Emerging Issues Commentary, Steve Jones, a partner with the Marten Law Group, examines an Executive Order issued by King County, Washington, requiring County agencies to consider climate change impacts as part of their project review under Washington’s State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Expert advice is provided on key issues that will need to be addressed by attorneys representing project proponents, such as what constitutes a “climate impact.” Also discussed are Massachusetts’ regulations requiring developers and state agencies to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and assess GHG mitigation measures in their environmental review documents. Finally, the article reports on actions by various cities and counties to address climate change. For the complete commentary, click on the link below.

Marten Law Group: WA County Requires that Climate Impacts be Considered (Climate Change Sept. 2007)