Try our Advanced Search for more refined results
Energy
-
August 19, 2024
Conn. Agencies Defend Rebuff Of Utility's $131M Rate Increase
Three Connecticut agencies, including its utility rate watchdog, have defended the state's rejection of United Illuminating Co.'s proposed three-year rate increase of $131 million, saying in Connecticut state court that regulators properly trimmed the company's request to $23 million in its first year from its $90 million request.
-
August 19, 2024
Ethanol Co. Investors Say $9M Arbitration Award Was Stolen
Class B members of a Colorado ethanol company claim they have been denied their share of a $9 million arbitration award resulting from an action against the managing entity of the company for allegedly engaging in a pay-to-play scheme with vendors in exchange for those vendors sponsoring a National Hot Rod Association team.
-
August 19, 2024
Groups Urge EPA To Ban Dispersants Used In Deepwater Spill
Two advocacy groups on Monday petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to immediately stop using two chemical dispersants that were used after the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster and that they say cause a variety of health problems including cancer.
-
August 19, 2024
5th Circ. Won't Upend BP Win In Deepwater Cleanup Suit
The Fifth Circuit won't grant an extension on discovery deadlines to a worker who alleges he was harmed by exposure to toxins during the cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, saying the discovery he seeks wouldn't be enough to save his suit against BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Co.
-
August 19, 2024
DQ'd Judge Should Have Kept Quiet, Tax Challengers Say
A Michigan federal judge who disqualified himself from homeowners' challenge to a $217 million dam repair tax assessment put his "thumb on the scale of justice" by improperly commenting on legal questions as he bowed out, according to homeowners seeking to have the comments rescinded.
-
August 19, 2024
Hogan Boosts DC Energy, IP Teams With A&O Shearman Atty
Hogan Lovells has hired a new global regulatory and intellectual property practice partner, who is joining the firm in Washington, D.C., after a little more than two and half years with Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, Hogan Lovells announced Monday.
-
August 19, 2024
Security Co. Can't Toss Worker's Sex Harassment Suit
A Maryland federal judge has declined to throw out the bulk of a woman's suit against a Baltimore utility and a security firm alleging that she was fired for ending a sexual relationship with her supervisor, only tossing her wrongful termination claim.
-
August 19, 2024
HUD Joins 6-Year Strategy To Beat Extreme Heat
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said it's partnering with two dozen federal agencies for an initiative focused on implementing solutions for extreme heat dangers in communities.
-
August 19, 2024
DTE Energy Looks To Sink Workers' Login Pay Suit
Energy company DTE Energy told a Michigan federal court that customer service employees who sued it for unpaid off-the-clock work received more than double the minimum wage and that federal labor law preempts their breach of contract claims, arguing their suit can't stand.
-
August 19, 2024
Refiners Seek EPA Biofuel Reg Waiver, Citing Shortfall
A national trade group for refiners is asking a D.C. federal judge to order the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to partially waive cellulosic biofuel blending requirements for 2023, arguing the agency overestimated how much would be available, causing refiners an estimated $237 million in compliance costs.
-
August 19, 2024
Convenience Store Co. SQRL Hits Ch. 11 With Over $1B Debt
Convenience store chain SQRL Service Stations filed for Chapter 11 protection in Texas bankruptcy court with more than $1 billion of debt after fending off a pair of involuntary bankruptcies from its creditor.
-
August 16, 2024
The Biggest Texas Rulings Of 2024: A Midyear Report
Texas has seen a bevy of major decisions, including a $1.4 billion settlement with Facebook over alleged biometric data collection, a ruling banning gender-affirming care for minors, and the conclusion of a long-running securities case against Attorney General Ken Paxton. Here's some of the biggest decisions so far this year.
-
August 16, 2024
SEC Climate Rules Backed By Wave Of Amici At 8th Circ.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has received a wave of support for its recently adopted climate disclosure rules from various consumer advocacy, environmental, investor and academic groups, which told the Eighth Circuit the measures are necessary and within the agency's authority.
-
August 16, 2024
Stay Lifted On $110M Coal Co. Suit As Arbitration Drags On
A Missouri federal judge has grudgingly lifted a pause on litigation between several insurance companies and a St. Louis coal producer after its mines sustained more than $115 million in fire damage, saying it can pursue claims against domestic insurers separately from insurers seeking arbitration.
-
August 16, 2024
Feds To Appeal Platinum Win Over Zero Loss, Count Toss
Federal prosecutors have notified the Second Circuit that they'll appeal a judge's findings that the loss amount in the case of Platinum Partners co-founder Mark Nordlicht was zero and the wire fraud conspiracy counts against Nordlicht and another would be dismissed, despite Nordlicht's conviction.
-
August 16, 2024
Nikola, Romeo Power Targeted In Del. Derivative Complaint
A former Romeo Power Inc. stockholder has launched a double derivative suit seeking derivative damages from nine former Romeo directors and officers in part through derivative claims via Nikola Corp., which acquired Romeo in August 2022 for a fraction of the company's once $1 billion-plus valuation.
-
August 16, 2024
Deal Struck After Jury Clears US Well On Halliburton Patents
U.S. Well Services LLC and Halliburton Energy Services Inc. have agreed to a settlement in principle to resolve their long-running patent infringement dispute, which has seen several patents invalidated, according to a joint motion the parties filed after a jury cleared U.S. Well of infringing three still-registered Halliburton patents.
-
August 16, 2024
6th Circ. Won't Rethink Sending Pipeline Fight To Mich. Court
The Sixth Circuit stood by a decision to send a lawsuit seeking to shut down an Enbridge Energy LP crude oil and natural gas pipeline back to a Michigan state court Friday, denying Enbridge's request for a hearing in front of the full appellate court.
-
August 16, 2024
9th Circ. Upholds Tribe's Win In Washington Dam Suit
The Ninth Circuit on Friday upheld an order requiring that a Washington hydroelectric company alter its rock pile dam on the Puyallup River, handing another win to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, which says the dam is threatening several species of endangered fish.
-
August 16, 2024
New Study Sought On Uranium Mine Near Grand Canyon
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is asking the U.S. Forest Service for an updated environmental impact study on the state's only working uranium mine at the center of a dispute with the Navajo Nation, saying the original assessment is based on outdated information about risks to the region's groundwater.
-
August 16, 2024
Voters' Bid To Revive Ga. Election Suit Slammed As Hail Mary
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is asking a federal judge to "make clear" a case alleging a biased system to elect Georgia Public Service Commission members "is over," as Black voters behind the suit fight to keep it alive.
-
August 16, 2024
V&E Can Advise Wood Pellet Co. Enviva In Ch. 11, Court Says
Months after a Virginia bankruptcy court blocked Vinson & Elkins LLP from representing Enviva in the wood pellet maker's Chapter 11 case due to a possible conflict of interest, the court has reversed course, permitting the law firm to serve as special counsel after it pledged to narrow the scope of its work.
-
August 16, 2024
6th Circ. Nixes Union Local's Win In Steel Co. Benefit Row
The Sixth Circuit has reversed a judgment that a reinforced-steel contractor owes about $2 million in unpaid fringe benefit contributions to journeymen who traveled from other states to work on a project in Michigan, finding there was insufficient evidence to support the award.
-
August 16, 2024
DC Circ. Rolls Back Pipeline Safety Rules
The D.C. Circuit on Friday threw out a handful of new safety standards for gas transmission pipelines set by the U.S. Department of Transportation, ruling that federal regulators failed to explain why their benefits outweighed their costs.
-
August 16, 2024
Kentucky Couple Sue Progressive Over Coal Mine Subsidence
A couple told a Kentucky federal court that Progressive denied coverage for coal mine subsidence damage to their home in bad faith, saying the insurer did so despite having access to records showing that the state authorized a $1.8 million project to help fix that very subsidence.
Expert Analysis
-
Lawyers Can Take Action To Honor The Voting Rights Act
As the Voting Rights Act reaches its 59th anniversary Tuesday, it must urgently be reinforced against recent efforts to dismantle voter protections, and lawyers can pitch in immediately by volunteering and taking on pro bono work to directly help safeguard the right to vote, says Anna Chu at We The Action.
-
Series
After Chevron: NRC Is Shielded From Loper Bright's Effects
While the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Loper Bright v. Relentless decision brought an end to Chevron deference, Congress' unique delegation of discretionary authority to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will likely insulate it from the additional judicial scrutiny that other federal agencies will face, say Ryan Lighty and Scott Clausen at Morgan Lewis.
-
How Loper Bright Weakens NEPA Enviro Justice Strategy
The National Environmental Policy Act is central to the Biden administration's environmental justice agenda — but the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo casts doubt on the government's ability to rely on NEPA for this purpose, and a pending federal case will test the strategy's limits, say attorneys at Perkins Coie.
-
Navigating Antitrust Considerations In ESG Collaborations
The intersection of ESG goals and antitrust laws presents a complex challenge for businesses and their counsel — but by creating clear frameworks for collaboration, adhering to established guidelines and carefully considering the competitive implications of their actions, companies can work toward sustainability while mitigating legal risks, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.
-
How To Grow Marketing, Biz Dev Teams In A Tight Market
Faced with fierce competition and rising operating costs, firms are feeling the pressure to build a well-oiled marketing and business development team that supports strategic priorities, but they’ll need to be flexible and creative given a tight talent market, says Ben Curle at Ambition.
-
Series
Rock Climbing Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Rock climbing requires problem-solving, focus, risk management and resilience, skills that are also invaluable assets in my role as a finance lawyer, says Mei Zhang at Haynes and Boone.
-
What Chevron's End Means For How Congress Does Business
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision, overturning the Chevron doctrine, will have a far-reaching impact across the entire public policy life cycle, beginning with how Congress writes its laws and extending through agency implantation and judicial review, say attorneys at K&L Gates.
-
Think Like A Lawyer: Dance The Legal Standard Two-Step
From rookie brief writers to Chief Justice John Roberts, lawyers should master the legal standard two-step — framing the governing standard at the outset, and clarifying why they meet that standard — which has benefits for both the drafter and reader, says Luke Andrews at Poole Huffman.
-
The Rise Of State And Local Environmental Leadership
While Congress is deadlocked, and a U.S. Supreme Court with a hostility toward the administrative state aggressively dismantles federal environmental oversight, state and local governments are stepping up with policies to shape a more sustainable future for all species, says Jonathan Rosenbloom at Albany Law School.
-
NYSE Delisting May Be The Cost Of FCPA Compliance
ABB’s recent decision to delist its U.S. depository receipts from the New York Stock Exchange, coupled with having settled three Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement actions, begs the question of whether the cost of FCPA compliance should factor into a company's decision to remain listed in the U.S., says John Joy at FTI Law.
-
CFTC Action Highlights Necessity Of Whistleblower Carveouts
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission's novel settlement with a trading firm over allegations of manipulating the market and failing to create contract carveouts for employees to freely communicate with investigators serves as a beacon for further enforcement activity from the CFTC and other regulators, say attorneys at Davis Wright.
-
5 Tips For Solar Cos. Navigating Big Shifts In US Trade Policy
Renewable energy developers can best mitigate new compliance risks from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s increased tariffs on imported solar cells, and simultaneously capitalize on Treasury Department incentives for domestic solar manufacturers, by following five best practices in the changing solar trade landscape, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.
-
Series
Being A Luthier Makes Me A Better Lawyer
When I’m not working as an appellate lawyer, I spend my spare time building guitars — a craft known as luthiery — which has helped to enhance the discipline, patience and resilience needed to write better briefs, says Rob Carty at Nichols Brar.
-
Half-Truths Vs. Omissions: Slicing Justices' Macquarie Cake
The U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling in Macquarie v. Moab provides a road map for determining whether corporate reports that omit information should be considered misleading — and the court baked it into a dessert analogy that is key to understanding the guidelines, say Daniel Levy and Pavithra Kumar at Advanced Analytical Consulting Group.
-
Lead Like 'Ted Lasso' By Embracing Cognitive Diversity
The Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso” aptly illustrates how embracing cognitive diversity can be a winning strategy for teams, providing a useful lesson for law firms, which can benefit significantly from fresh, diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving, says Paul Manuele at PR Manuele Consulting.