Energy

  • December 13, 2024

    SEC's Corporation Finance Director Gerding To Step Down

    The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced Friday that the head of its Division of Corporation Finance, who oversaw the finalization of controversial new rules covering environmental disclosures and share repurchases, will leave the agency at the end of the year.

  • December 13, 2024

    New Evidence Allows Doctor's Questioning In Zeta DQ Bid

    Transocean's attorneys will now have the chance to question a doctor at the center of a rival law firm's disqualification bid, after a Houston judge told the parties Friday that she received evidence from the crew member plaintiffs that "significantly changes" the issue.

  • December 13, 2024

    Triliance To Forfeit $12M Over Illicit Petroleum Sales, US Says

    Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd., known to have links to terrorist groups, was ordered to forfeit nearly $12 million by a District of Columbia federal court last month for violating sanctions over the illicit sales of Iranian petroleum products using the U.S. financial system, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday.

  • December 13, 2024

    10th Circ. Leans Against Spiking Colo. Air Plan

    A Tenth Circuit panel appeared inclined Friday to order the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider its approval of a Colorado air emissions permitting program that a green group challenged as too permissive.

  • December 13, 2024

    Duke Energy Accused Of Negligence Ahead Of Data Breach

    Duke Energy Carolinas LLC failed to protect sensitive personal information ahead of a data breach in May, and now its current and former customers are at risk of identity theft and tax fraud, according to a proposed federal class action.

  • December 13, 2024

    Bipartisan Bills Target US Dependence On Chinese Minerals

    A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced three new pieces of legislation aimed at helping address what it said was America's "deep reliance" on the Chinese Communist Party for critical minerals, after spending months evaluating the issue.

  • December 13, 2024

    DOL Board Says Agency Can Revoke Prior H-2B Registrations

    The Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals has affirmed a U.S. Department of Labor officer's decision to deny a Texas fabrication company's request to temporarily hire dozens of foreign metalworkers and to revoke its previously approved registration number for the H-2B visa program.

  • December 13, 2024

    Sexual Abuse, Price-Gouging Bills Clear Michigan Senate

    Michigan state senators passed a flurry of bills during a marathon session ending early Friday morning, including legislation giving sexual assault victims more time to file lawsuits, strengthening protections against price-gouging and expanding polluter liability.

  • December 13, 2024

    Wis. Tribe Challenges Enbridge Pipeline Reroute Permits

    The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on Thursday sued Wisconsin environmental officials over permits given to Enbridge Inc. to reroute part of its controversial Line 5 pipeline around the tribe's reservation and build a new segment in the area.

  • December 13, 2024

    High Court Will Review EPA Auto Emissions Waiver For Calif.

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday granted fossil fuel industry groups' request to review a decision backing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act waiver that allows California to set its own greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles and run a zero-emission vehicles program, but the justices won't consider the legality of the waiver itself.

  • December 13, 2024

    Taxation With Representation: Kirkland, Davis Polk, Wachtell

    In this week's Taxation With Representation, Google and TPG Rise Climate partner with Intersect Power, Gen Digital Inc. acquires MoneyLion Inc., Patient Square Capital acquires Patterson Companies Inc., and the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins sell minority ownership shares to private equity firms.

  • December 12, 2024

    Russia Must Face $35M Arbitration Award Suit

    Russia must face a lawsuit brought by 11 Ukrainian gas companies aiming to enforce a nearly $35 million arbitration award born out of Russia's invasion of Crimea, a D.C. federal judge ruled Thursday.

  • December 12, 2024

    Electric Co-Ops Oppose Proposed FCC Customer Service Regs

    The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is adding its name to the list of those who think the Federal Communications Commission's plan to impose new rules surrounding customer service is a bad idea.

  • December 12, 2024

    Sierra Club-EPA Row Has 6th Circ. Debating Smog Data

    A Sixth Circuit judge questioned Thursday whether a Sierra Club challenge over Detroit's air quality was "a debate over the science" as opposed to the law, as the group fights federal regulators' determination that air pollution in the area is under control.

  • December 12, 2024

    Mich. Judge Hesitant To Rule On $217M Dam Repair Tax

    A Michigan federal judge sounded reluctant Thursday to make a decision about whether a $217 million dam repair tax assessment violated homeowners' constitutional rights before a state appellate panel rules on the homeowners' challenge to the assessment in a parallel case over properties affected by flooding from the 2020 Edenville Dam collapse.

  • December 12, 2024

    11th Circ. Won't Rehear Guatemala Power Plant Fight

    The Eleventh Circuit will not reconsider its decision refusing to vacate an arbitral award issued following an ill-fated Guatemalan power plant construction project, rejecting arguments that the tribunal improperly turned a blind eye to alleged corruption underlying the project.

  • December 12, 2024

    Wash. Judge Weighs Stay Of Gas Reg Suit Amid New Cases

    A Seattle federal judge hinted on Thursday she might pause a building industry coalition's lawsuit challenging Washington regulations discouraging the use of natural gas appliances in new construction, pointing to fresh litigation in state court that could force regulators to revise the rules in the wake of an initiative voters passed in November.

  • December 12, 2024

    Chemical Co. Cuts $300K Deal To End Unpaid Wage Suit

    A Pennsylvania chemical company and a former worker who accused it of violating state and federal wage laws by requiring uncompensated preshift work of its employees came together and asked a Keystone State judge to approve a $300,000 settlement for the proposed class action.

  • December 12, 2024

    Biden Steel-Deal Block, Walgreens For Sale, And More Rumors

    President Biden is reportedly ready to block the U.S. Steel-Nippon merger on national security grounds, pharmacy giant Walgreens is exploring selling itself to private equity firm Sycamore, and cryptocurrency-related trading platform EToro is preparing an initial public offering.

  • December 12, 2024

    Insurer Must Defend Texas Oilfield Against Burned Worker

    An insurer must continue to defend an oilfield services company in a suit brought by a severely burned worker seeking over $1 million for his injuries, a Texas federal court ruled, finding nothing in his short complaint triggered exclusions.

  • December 12, 2024

    DOI Plan Would Protect NM Land From New Mining Claims

    U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on Thursday initiated a two-year segregation period to temporarily withdraw 165,000 acres of public lands in New Mexico from new mining claims and the issuance of new federal mineral leases.

  • December 12, 2024

    US Expands Tariffs On Chinese Tungsten, Polysilicon Imports

    The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced additional tariff increases for imports on certain tungsten products, wafers and polysilicon from the People's Republic of China as part of a review process in an investigation of the country's acts, policies and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation.

  • December 12, 2024

    Ex-FBI Informant Admits To False Accusations In Biden Case

    A former FBI informant accused of making fake criminal accusations against President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, will plead guilty to tax evasion and falsifying records in a federal investigation, according to a deal filed Thursday in a California federal court.

  • December 12, 2024

    Energy Co. Gets Redo Of $150M Power Plant Explosion Trial

    A California appeals court has ordered a new trial and vacated a $150 million verdict against Diamond Generating Corp. in a suit by the family of a worker killed in a power plant explosion, saying the jury should have been instructed to determine whether DGC retained enough control over the plant's operations to be held liable.

  • December 11, 2024

    Gold Miner Sarama Hits Burkina Faso With $115M Claim

    A gold exploration and development company with operations in West Africa said Wednesday it has commenced arbitration proceedings against Burkina Faso, seeking damages of AU$180 million ($115 million) in a dispute over the state's alleged expropriation of a mining project.

Expert Analysis

  • Green Projects Face States' Foreign Land Ownership Limits

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    As states impose restrictions and disclosure requirements around foreign investment in agricultural land — in some cases piggybacking on existing federal rules — renewable energy developers and investors must pay close attention to how the rules vary, says Daniel Fanning at Husch Blackwell.

  • What 2024 Trends In Marketing, Comms Hiring Mean For 2025

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    The state of hiring in legal industry marketing, business development and communications over the past 12 months was marked by a number of trends — from changes in the C-suite to lateral move challenges — providing clues for what’s to come in the year ahead, says Ben Curle at Ambition.

  • How Trump's Tariff Promises May Play Out In 2nd Term

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    While it is unclear which of President-elect Donald Trump's promised tariffs he intends to actually implement in January, lessons from his first administration, laws governing executive action and U.S. trade agreements together paint a picture of what may be possible, say attorneys at Butzel.

  • Series

    Group Running Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    The combination of physical fitness and community connection derived from running with a group of business leaders has, among other things, helped me to stay grounded, improve my communication skills, and develop a deeper empathy for clients and colleagues, says Jessica Shpall Rosen at Greenwald Doherty.

  • Hawaii Climate Insurance Case Is Good News For Energy Cos.

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    The Hawaii Supreme Court's recent ruling in a dispute between an oil company and its insurers, holding that reckless conduct in the context of activities that can cause climate harms is covered by liability policies, will likely be viewed by energy companies as a positive development, say attorneys at Fenchurch Law.

  • Opinion

    6 Changes I Would Make If I Ran A Law School

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    Reuben Guttman at Guttman Buschner identifies several key issues plaguing law schools and discusses potential solutions, such as opting out of the rankings game and mandating courses in basic writing skills.

  • Implications Of NY Climate Case For Generating Facilities

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    Regardless of how Greenidge Generation LLC v. New York Department of Environmental Conservation develops on remand, this decision has immediate repercussions for generating facilities seeking permit applications and renewals in New York, likely involving Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act considerations, say attorneys at Hodgson Russ.

  • Firms Still Have The Edge In Lateral Hiring, But Buyer Beware

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    Partner mobility data suggests that the third quarter of this year continued to be a buyer’s market, with the average candidate demanding less compensation for a larger book of business — but moving into the fourth quarter, firms should slow down their hiring process to minimize risks, say officers at Decipher Investigative Intelligence.

  • Think Like A Lawyer: 1 Type Of Case Complexity Stands Out

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    In contrast to some cases that appear complex due to voluminous evidence or esoteric subject matter, a different kind of complexity involves tangled legal and factual questions, each with a range of possible outcomes, which require a “sliding scale” approach instead of syllogistic reasoning, says Luke Andrews at Poole Huffman.

  • How Litigation, Supply Chains Buffeted Offshore Wind In 2024

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    U.S. offshore wind developers continue to face a range of challenges — including litigation brought by local communities and interest groups, ongoing supply chain issues, and a lack of interconnection and transmission infrastructure — in addition to uncertainty surrounding federal energy policy under the second Trump administration, say attorneys at Liskow & Lewis.

  • Think Like A Lawyer: Note 3 Simple Types Of Legal Complexity

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    Cases can appear complex for several reasons — due to the number of issues, the volume of factual and evidentiary sources, and the sophistication of those sources — but the same basic technique can help lawyers tame their arguments into a simple and persuasive message, says Luke Andrews at Poole Huffman.

  • Permitting, Offtake Among Offshore Wind Challenges In 2024

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    Although federal offshore wind development started to pick up this year, many challenges to the industry became apparent as well — including slow federal permitting, the pitfalls of restarting permits after changes in project status, and the difficulties of negotiating economically viable offtake agreements, say attorneys at Liskow & Lewis.

  • Series

    Gardening Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Beyond its practical and therapeutic benefits, gardening has bolstered important attributes that also apply to my litigation practice, including persistence, patience, grit and authenticity, says Christopher Viceconte at Gibbons.

  • Litigation Inspiration: Reframing Document Review

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    For attorneys — new ones especially — there is much fulfillment to find in document review by reflecting on how important, interesting and pleasant it can be, says Bennett Rawicki at Hilgers Graben.

  • What Fed. Circ. Ruling Means For Patent Case Dismissals

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    ​​​​​​​The Federal Circuit's recent decision in UTTO v. Metrotech is significant because it specifically authorizes district courts to dismiss patent infringement lawsuits without a separate Markman hearing, but only when the meaning of a claim term is clear and case-dispositive, says Peter Gergely at Merchant & Gould.

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