LexisNexis Environmental Law & Climate Change: Environmental Law & Climate Change

Arkansas Small Business Gets $224,000 From EPA To Develop 'Green' Lighting

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:06:07 GMT

DALLAS — An Arkansas nanotechnology company has been awarded $224,997 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to develop a green alternative to fluorescent lighting.

Nanomaterials and Nanofabrication Laboratories LLC (NN-Labs) of Fayetteville is one of seven small businesses to receive a total of $1.6 million in funding to commercialize green technologies.

NN-Labs was awarded a Phase II SBIR cont

New wave of nuclear plants faces high costs

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:30:55 GMT

(AP) A new generation of nuclear power plants is on the drawing boards in the U.S., but the projected cost is causing some sticker shock: $5 billion to $12 billion a plant, double to quadruple earlier rough estimates. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

EPA testing air after twister in toxic Oklahoma town

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:21:22 GMT

PICHER, Okla. -- (AP) The Environmental Protection Agency was preparing to conduct air and soil tests to check for high lead levels Monday after a deadly tornado blew through Picher, a town so polluted with lead-filled mining waste that it's a Superfund si

McCain urges free-market principles to reduce global warming

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:55:56 GMT

PHOENIX -- (AP) Republican John McCain, reaching out to both independents and green-minded social conservatives, argues that global warming is undeniable and the country must take steps to bring it under control while adhering to free-market principles. Full version available for lexis.com subscribers.

Gold Reserve Inc. says permit rescinded for Venezuela mine due to environmental concerns

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:28:22 GMT

CARACAS, Venezuela -- (AP) Mining company Gold Reserve Inc. says its permit to develop a gold and copper deposit in Venezuela's biologically diverse Imataca Forest has been formally rescinded. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Schwarzenegger challenges automakers to meet California rules

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:18:34 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- (AP) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday that pressure from the auto industry will not deter California from attempting to impose strict emission rules for vehicles sold in the state. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Western states rebuff plan for Italian nuclear waste in Utah

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:04:41 GMT

BOISE, Idaho -- (AP) Eight Western states on Thursday rejected a company's plan to ship tons of radioactive waste from Italy for disposal in Utah, saying importing foreign loads would violate the group's rules. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Michael B. Gerrard to Deliver Keynote Opening Address at U.S.-Canadian Conference

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:18:17 GMT

Michael B. Gerrard of Arnold & Porter LLP, a prominent environmental law attorney and Lexis author, will deliver the keynote opening address at the 2008 National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Summit on Climate Change and Air Quality — Cross Border Issues. The program, which is presented by the Canadian Bar Association’s National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Section (NEERLS) and Con

5th Circuit says plea violated rights of BP gas plant blast victims

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:20:07 GMT

HOUSTON -- (AP) Federal prosecutors violated the rights of victims of a deadly 2005 explosion at a BP PLC plant when they didn't consult them about a plea agreement to settle criminal conduct in connection with the blast, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. lawsuits over the use of the gasoline additive MTBE, a potential carcinogen that has been found in drinking water. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Farmer pioneers green energy practices in Ohio

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:25:03 GMT

BROOKVILLE, Ohio -- (AP) When he was laid up in the hospital recovering from knee surgery, farmer Ralph Dull picked up a thick notebook dropped off by a friend that detailed how wind generators produce electricity. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Conservationists say Indonesian orangutans face rapid extinction

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:19:31 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- (AP) The world's largest population of wild orangutans on Indonesia's Borneo island faces extinction within three years due to rapidly expanding oil palm plantations, a conservationist group said Wednesday. Full version available to lexis.com subscribe

EU lawmakers seek tighter restrictions on carbon emissions permits for airlines

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:15:31 GMT

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- (AP) European Union lawmakers are seeking more restrictions on carbon emissions permits for airlines flying to and from the EU. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

3 states head to court to keep control over gray wolves

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:54:25 GMT

HELENA, Mont. -- (AP) Three states are defending their ability to sustain a gray wolf population in the Northern Rockies, asking to be heard in a federal lawsuit that seeks to return the wolves to the endangered species list. Full version available to lexis.com s

Agencies issue plan to run Columbia dams, preserve salmon

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:28:01 GMT

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- (AP) The Bush administration Monday issued its final court-ordered plans for making Columbia Basin hydroelectric dams and irrigation projects safe for endangered salmon. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Reservoir larger than Manhattan planned to help Everglades

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:20:42 GMT

IN THE EVERGLADES, Fla. -- (AP) Around South Florida's vast sugar cane fields, where turtles grow to the size of basketballs and alligators own the marsh, the silence of the swamp is broken by the sound of rumbling trucks and explosions. Full version available to lexis.com subs

Russia, U.S. sign civilian nuclear power agreement

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:14:41 GMT

MOSCOW -- (AP) Russian and U.S. officials signed a key agreement on civilian nuclear power Tuesday that could give Washington access to Russian technology and potentially hand Moscow lucrative deals on storing spent fuel. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Groups sue to stop seismic oil exploration in Arctic seas

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:35:23 GMT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- (AP) Alaska Native and environmental groups sued Monday to stop exploration by oil companies this summer in Arctic waters frequented by whales, seals and other marine species. Full story available to lexis.com subscribers.

Saul Ewing Welcomes Environmental Attorney To Baltimore Office

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:01:27 GMT

BALTIMORE — Saul Ewing LLP has announced that Randall M. Lutz has joined its Baltimore office as a partner in the Environmental Department and a member of the Energy and Utility Practice Group.

Before entering private practice in 1987, Lutz served in various public positions, including working as the director of the Office of Criminal Enforcement for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, principal counsel and assistant attorney general of the State of Maryland’s Depart

200 Chinese protest planned petrochemical plant

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:37:51 GMT

BEIJING -- (AP) About 200 people demonstrated in southwestern China against the building of a petrochemical plant they say will pollute their city, state media reported Monday. Full version a

Senators call for EPA to consider ethanol mandate waiver

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:11:11 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (AP) Senate Republicans want the Environmental Protection Agency to consider waiving the country's ethanol production mandate amid rising food prices. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Phillies Lead Clean Energy Movement In Pro Sports Venues

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:31:35 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — Officials from Major League Baseball, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green-e Energy and WindStreet Energy, as well as Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, joined the Philadelphia Phillies April 30 in announcing a major initiative at Citizens Bank Park to aid in the efforts for a cleaner environment.

To offset the carbon footprint created by the team's utility power usag

Federal agency declares West Coast salmon fishery a disaster

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:34:24 GMT

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- (AP) Federal authorities have declared the West Coast ocean salmon fishery a failure, opening the way for Congress to appropriate economic disaster assistance for coastal communities in California, Oregon and Washington. Full version available to lexis.

EPA administrator for Midwest resigns amid fights over dioxin contamination

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:21:40 GMT

CHICAGO -- (AP) The top U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator in the Midwest resigned Thursday amid internal fights over dioxin contamination near Dow Chemical Co.'s world headquarters in Michigan, according to a published report. Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Scientists to capture DNA of trees worldwide for database

LexisNexis Environmental Law Center Staff — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:55:11 GMT

NEW YORK -- (AP) The New York Botanical Garden may be best known for its orchid shows and colorful blossoms, but its researchers are about to lead a global effort to capture DNA from thousands of tree species from around the world.