Environmental Law
September 15, 2025
In California, Sonoma County has been in an ongoing legal dispute with environmentalists concerning the county's well and groundwater usage, namely, Russian Riverkeeper & California Coastkeeper v. County of Sonoma. This has created obstacles for Sonoma in issuing groundwater well permits. In 2023, Russian Riverkeeper & California Coastkeeper filed a lawsuit against Sonoma County, challenging its Well Ordinance. They claimed Sonoma County violated the Public Trust Doctrine, which gives the government powers to act as a trustee by being responsible for protecting, preserving, and managing natural resources for public use.
August 15, 2025
Nebraska is known for its rich agricultural identity that annually contributes to the state and national economy. On July 16, 2025, Nebraska's Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Nebraska's Governor Jim Pillen filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court against Colorado, concerning Nebraska's water rights of the South Platte River, which stretches from Colorado to Nebraska. The river's current highlights the evident state crossover, which raises the question of fairness and ownership concerning water rights. Water rights signify which entity, in this case, which state, has legal authority to utilize water and in what quantities under certain conditions.
July 15, 2025
In June 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a settlement agreement with Domtar Industries, Inc., Domtar Industries, LLC, and E.B. Eddy Paper, Inc., addressing the longstanding contamination of land and groundwater near Port Huron caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals used since the mid-20th century in industrial manufacturing and consumer products, including firefighting foam, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, and non-stick cookware. These chemicals are often referred to as forever chemicals because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. Once released into soil or water, PFAS can spread over vast areas, contaminating drinking water supplies and accumulating in fish, wildlife, and crops. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of serious health effects, including certain cancers, liver damage, thyroid disease, weakened immune responses, and developmental delays in children.
June 15, 2025
The CHIPS and Science Act is a U.S. law designed to increase domestic semiconductor production and address national economic and security vulnerabilities resulting from overreliance on foreign chip manufacturing. Domestic semiconductor production refers to the process of designing and manufacturing computer chips within the United States, using local facilities, labor, and resources. These tiny computer chips power everything from smartphones and cars to medical equipment and military technology.
May 15, 2025
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), signed into law in 1970 by President Richard Nixon, is often called the "Magna Carta (great charter)" of U.S environmental law. Much like the original Magna Carta, signed into law in England in 1215, it establishes individual rights and the principles of limited government. NEPA established a groundbreaking framework requiring federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions before making decisions. Passed during a period of heightened public concern over pollution, resource extraction, and unchecked development.
April 15, 2025
In early 2025, the Biden administration issued an executive order withdrawing large portions of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from oil and gas leasing. This move was aimed at protection of sensitive marine ecosystems and addressing growing climate concerns. It did this by halting future energy development in key offshore regions, including parts of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico. The Outer Continental Shelf refers to submerged lands located beyond the boundaries of individual states but still under federal jurisdiction. These areas are managed through the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), a 1953 statute that governs leasing and resource extraction on these federal lands.
March 15, 2025
The case Save Long Beach Island v. U.S. Department of Commerce centers on a legal challenge to offshore wind development off the coast of New Jersey. The plaintiff, Save Long Beach Island, is an environmental advocacy group opposing federal decisions that permit the construction of wind farms in the region. The case reflects broader tensions between renewable energy expansion and conservation efforts, particularly as offshore wind projects become a key component of the federal government's clean energy strategy.
February 15, 2025
The Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) significantly reshaped the legal framework surrounding the Clean Water Act (CWA). This law establishes federal authority to regulate water pollution and protect the nation's waterways. This case fueled ongoing debate regarding the authority of federal agencies and the extent of regulatory oversight within the classification of "waters of the United States" or WOTUS which is a legal term defining which water bodies fall under federal jurisdiction.
December 15, 2024
In 2021, the case Hardeman v. Monsanto Corp. regards Monsanto's 'Roundup' which is a commonly used weed killer. Has the active ingredient glyphosate (a known carcinogen), and alleged that it caused malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Edwin Hardeman. In the case, Monsanto was accused of failing to notify s about Roundup's possible health concerns and of manipulating scientific data to minimize the perceived risks. Plaintiff Edwin Hardeman claimed that...