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Canada: Ontario Launches Innovative MicroFIT Program - Fogler, Rubinoff LLP

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:56:43 GMT

On September 24th, in conjunction with the FIT Program, the Ontario Government announced the MicroFIT Program, a streamlined, user friendly version of the FIT Program for individuals, small businesses, and communities.

United States: California Passes Comprehensive Water Legislation, Setting Historic Precedents In Water Policy - Morrison & Foerster LLP

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:45:09 GMT

Following an all-night special session, the morning of November 4 saw the comprehensive "2009 Delta/Water Legislation" pass the California Legislature.

United States: A Collision Course For Prevention Of Significant Deterioration And Title V Program Regulation Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions? - Barnes & Thornburg

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:45:09 GMT

As announced in Barnes & Thornburg LLP’s October Greenhouse Gas (GHG) update, EPA is proposing a rule to establish new thresholds that would define when stationary sources must obtain permits for GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

United Kingdom: Financing The Low Carbon Transition - Publication Of Report - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On 15 July 2009 the UK Government published the Low Carbon Transition Plan, which encompasses UK Government policy and strategy on achieving its ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction targets for 2020 and beyond.

Canada: Environment, Energy & Resources Law Special Report: Aboriginal Law October 2009 - Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When Ontario unveiled its proposed revisions to the Mining Act on April 30, 2009, they purportedly had already won the widespread support of industry stakeholders, environmentalists and Aboriginal groups.

United States: EPA Finalizes Spill Prevention, Control, And Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule With Few Revisions - Barnes & Thornburg

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On Nov. 9, 2009, EPA issued final Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations, concluding a 17-year rulemaking process. Following a 1991 proposed rulemaking, EPA issued rule changes in July 2002, December 2006, and December 2008.

Australia: Amendment VC55 - Deacons

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Amendment VC55 to the Victorian Planning Provisions was approved by the Minister for Planning on 11 November 2009.

Canada: Environment, Energy & Resources Law Report - September/October 2009 - Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ontario has begun to lay the technical groundwork for joining a North American cap-and-trade network designed to control and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Canada: Recent Developments On Climate Change - November, 2009 - Torys LLP

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On October 28, 2009, the Federal Court of Appeal rejected the appeal of Friends of the Earth (FOTE), an environmental non-profit organization, which alleged that the federal government had not fulfilled its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act (KPIA).

Australia: Smart Grid, Smart City - Middletons

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In May 2009 the Federal Government announced that it would provide up to A$100 million to develop a commercial scale smart grid demonstration project in partnership with the energy sector.

Canada: Aboriginal Consultation And Renewable Energy Approvals - Dianne Saxe Professional Corporation, Saxe Law Office

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:04:42 GMT

In order to implement the green energy act, Ontario has recently adopted O. Reg. 359/09, to set up a new regime for accelerated approvals of renewable energy projects (wind, solar, anaerobic digestion and biomass combustion).

Canada: Where Is Climate Change Law Going In Canada? Some Important Cases In The US Should Give Us An Important Clue. - Dianne Saxe Professional Corporation, Saxe Law Office

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:04:22 GMT

Until now, most American (and Canadian) courts have ducked civil suits on climate change, ruling that the issue is "non-justiciable", i.e. political, not judicial.

Canada: Ten Things That You Need To Know About Contaminated Sites - Dianne Saxe Professional Corporation, Saxe Law Office

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:04:06 GMT

Environmental law is often puzzling for those in other practice areas, since contamination is usually invisible and the liability rules may not make "common sense". Here is a reminder of ten things every real estate lawyer should know

United States: Washington Department Of Ecology Reissues The Industrial Stormwater General Permit - Perkins Coie LLP

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On October 21, 2009, the Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE) reissued its Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISWGP).

United States: U.S. EPA Publishes Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule - Barnes & Thornburg

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. EPA (EPA) published its new Mandatory Green House Gas (GHG) Reporting Rule in the Federal Register last Friday, Oct. 30.

United Kingdom: The EU Emissions Trading Scheme - Uncertainty Ahead? - Biggart Baillie

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On 16 October 2009 the Bank of England’s Financial Markets Law Committee (the "Bank of England Committee") published a legal assessment of perceived gaps and uncertainties in respect of the carbon market.

United Kingdom: Environment Data: Open To Everyone - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On 9 November 2009 the European Commission, assisted by the European Environment Agency, launched an online tracker, the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR).

Australia: Coastal Buildings And Infrastructure: An Increasingly Risky Business - Maddocks

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On 26 October 2009, the bipartisan House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts (Committee) presented its report on the inquiry into climate change and environmental impacts on coastal communities –"Managing our Coastal Zone in a Changing Climate: the Time to Act is Now".

Australia: Commonwealth Plans To Put The Brakes On Forward Trading Of Australian Emission Units - Clayton Utz

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Commonwealth Treasury has recently unveiled draft Corporations Regulations amendments which will effectively ban forward trading in Australian emission units in Australia until at least after the first auction of AEUs is complete, which we think will have significant effects upon the market.

Australia: New National Water Market System - Quenching The Thirst For Real Time Access To Water Information? - Clayton Utz

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Minister Penny Wong's announcement yesterday that the Commonwealth Government will invest $56 million in a national water market system demonstrates the Federal and State Governments' commitment to making water markets work more effectively across Australia.

United States: Taking Lessons From Michigan And Ohio, States Should Prepare To Address Animal Care Issues - Faegre & Benson LLP

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:00:07 GMT

Proposition 2 in California in November 2008 ushered in new livestock housing requirements, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

Czech Republic: Renewable Energy Prices 2010 - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The minimum feed-in tariffs and green bonuses for 2010 have been set by the Czech Energy Regulatory Office.

United Kingdom: Government Issues Draft Renewables NPS - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On 9 November 2009, the Department of Energy and Climate Change unveiled the draft Renewable Energy National Policy Statement (NPS) together with another five draft National Policy Statements, one Overarching Energy NPS (the Overarching NPS) and four ‘technology-specific’ energy NPSs.

United States: FTC Rule Prohibiting Petroleum Market Manipulation Now In Effect - Perkins Coie LLP

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In August 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted a Final Rule prohibiting manipulative or deceptive behavior in the course of purchasing or selling wholesale crude oil, gasoline or petroleum distillates.

United Kingdom: The Dawn Of A Brave New World For Energy? - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On 9 November 2009, six draft National Policy Statements (NPSs) for the energy sector were published by DECC for consultation.