December 21, 2020
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a groundbreaking decision on the Clean Water Act's reach, chemical manufacturer Arkema defeated criminal charges over toxic releases in Texas related to Hurricane Harvey, and the Ninth Circuit delivered a big loss to youth plaintiffs that were seeking to hold the federal government accountable for climate change. Here, Law360 breaks down six of the biggest environmental law decisions of the year.
December 15, 2020
Federal courts weighed in on controversial pipeline projects and state courts interpreted laws that help govern the oil and gas industry in a torrent of significant court rulings affecting the energy sector this year. In the conclusion of a two-part series, Law360 breaks down more of the biggest energy-related court decisions of 2020.
May 12, 2020
A Montana federal judge on Monday said the federal government can't use a recently vacated nationwide water permit for new pipelines while it appeals his ruling to the Ninth Circuit, but said the permit remains valid for nonpipeline construction activities and work on permitted infrastructure projects.
May 07, 2020
The Sierra Club and other environmental groups on Wednesday said they don't oppose the federal government's bid to allow a recently vacated nationwide water permit's use for some infrastructure projects, but they urged a Montana federal judge to draw the line at new pipelines.
April 30, 2020
Keystone XL developer TC Energy, the state of Montana and energy industry groups urged a federal judge to stay his order vacating a nationwide water permit used for the pipeline and other energy infrastructure projects until the Ninth Circuit resolves their intended appeal.
April 28, 2020
A Montana federal judge on Tuesday rejected the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' request that he immediately back off his order killing a nationwide water permit that's commonly used for pipelines and other projects.
April 16, 2020
A Montana federal judge's decision to block construction of the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline stunned attorneys across the country with its far-reaching impact and set the court on a collision course with the Trump administration, which has vocally opposed such nationwide injunctions.
April 15, 2020
A Montana federal judge Wednesday vacated an Army Corps of Engineers permit necessary for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, agreeing with green groups that the permit was not properly evaluated under the Endangered Species Act.
February 19, 2020
Montana asked a federal judge Tuesday to toss green groups' challenge to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit necessary for the Keystone XL pipeline, saying the lawsuit threatens to usurp the state's role in evaluating the project's environmental risks.
November 25, 2019
Environmental groups challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' issuance of a permit that authorizes the Keystone XL pipeline project have urged a Montana federal judge to grant them a win on the majority of their claims, saying the project's impact on various waterways was not properly evaluated.