North America: Environment

Here is a look at the groundbreaking recommendations from the SB 254 reports and other significant wildfire legislation introduced for the 2026 legislative session, which could fundamentally alter wildfire liability in California.

Under SGMA, DWR is tasked with conducting technical evaluations of Groundwater Sustainability Plans, including ongoing assessments of plan adequacy and their incorporation of updated data. Recent probationary determinations indicate that State agencies expect demonstrable progress, particularly in critically over-drafted basins.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is pleased to provide you with the latest Legislative Update, our online briefing on changes to federal and provincial legislation.

Here is a look at the groundbreaking recommendations from the SB 254 reports and other significant wildfire legislation introduced for the 2026 legislative session, which could fundamentally alter wildfire liability in California.

In a case of first impression, a North Carolina court has dismissed a climate lawsuit brought by the town of Carrboro against a public utility company, finding that the matters raised in the claim were not justiciable or, in other words, inappropriate for determination by a court.

Two states have adopted their own low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) programs, signaling continued expansion of the regulatory landscape for transportation fuel providers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued a report to Congress addressing best practices for battery collection, recycling, labeling and consumer education...

In life, only three things are certain: death, taxes and ever-changing administration of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). In the following pages, we provide an overview of actions taken under President Trump’s second administration since our last WOTUS update and describe what project proponents might expect in the coming months and years.

Satellite, drone, and other remote-sensing technologies are making methane emissions at landfills increasingly visible to regulators and the public. States like California, Colorado, and Oregon are incorporating these monitoring technologies into their regulatory frameworks, creating new compliance obligations and risk-management considerations. This shift may affect landfill operators through increased regulatory scrutiny, public emissions reporting, and potential legal exposure.

Federal agencies advance controversial oil and gas leasing proposals while communities grapple with industrial chemical emergencies and legal battles over dam decommissioning. Meanwhile, courts reshape environmental protections as lawsuits challenge EPA regulations on waste incinerators and drinking water fluoride standards.

On May 1, 2026, the Office of Administrative Law approved and filed regulations accompanying California’s Senate Bill 54 (SB 54). The regulations were effective as of the May 1 filing date.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is seeking stakeholder input on the upcoming renewal of its Stormwater Construction General Permit, which governs discharge from construction activities across the state. With the current permit set to expire in March 2028, TCEQ is engaging stakeholders early in the drafting process to gather feedback that could significantly impact design requirements, compliance obligations, and operational costs for construction projects disturbing one or more acres of land.