Environmental Evolutions

SEC’s Final Climate Disclosure Regulations: You know what’s out, this is what’s in.

In this fast facts episode, Washington DC partner Sterling Marchand takes over the episode to discuss the SEC’s landmark climate risk disclosure regulations. Given the numerous stories about what did not make it into the final rule, Sterling focuses on what made it in. 

A written summary of the rule can be found at bakerbotts.com, and our fast facts podcast discussing the proposed regulations can heard here.

If you have questions about today’s podcast, contact Sterling Marchand.

 

What We are Watching in 2024

In today's episode, Megan asks a cross section of Environmental, Safety, and Incident Response lawyers from a variety of offices one important question: what issue or issues is on their mind for 2024?

As a bonus, each lawyer shared one fun fact about themselves so that you can learn a little bit more about the amazing people at Baker Botts. Learn even more about our repeat guests!

For further information on these topics or suggestions for future episodes, please email Megan at megan.berge@bakerbotts.com. 

The Loper Bright & Relentless Arguments a.k.a Supreme Court Nerd Heaven

Couldn’t spare three hours to listen to the Supreme Court arguments in Loper Bright and Relentless, but wondering about the fate of Chevron deference? Aaron Streett, Chair of our Supreme Court practice, breaks it down for you.

More information on the cases is available here:
Loper Bright: supremecourt.gov
Relentless: supremecourt.gov

If you have questions about appellate strategy, reach out to Aaron.

California Climate Disclosure Laws Part II: Are you “Doing Business in California?”

In the previous episode “Move over SEC, the California Legislature has Passed Landmark Climate Disclosure Laws” host Megan Berge provided quick hits on Senate Bills 253 (the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act) and 261 (the Climate Related Financial Risk Act). In this episode Megan turns to San Francisco tax partner WIll Gorrod* to break down legislative clues to help answer what it means to be “Doing Business in California.”

*Will Gorrod is no longer practicing with Baker Botts.

Thankful Thoughts

In preparation for Thanksgiving, host Megan Berge is joined by managing partner, Danny David for a brief episode sharing what we at Baker Botts are Thankful for this holiday season—spoiler alert, it is all of you! We wish everyone a safe, happy, and email-free holiday. Thank you for being our clients and listeners. 

Move over SEC, the California Legislature has Passed Landmark Climate Disclosure Laws

In this episode, host Megan Berge provides quick hits on California Senate Bills 253 (the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act) and 261 (the Climate Related Financial Risk Act). Each bill is focused on greenhouse gas emissions and companies' financial risks from climate change.

Listeners interested in reviewing Senate Bills 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, and 261, the Climate Related Financial Risk Act, can find them at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB253 and https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB261.

For more information or answers to questions on the bills, please contact Megan Berge.

New Show Alert! Join me for the inaugural episode of Lawful Influence, hosted by Partner Sterling Marchand

Does a mix of law, politics, and sticky situations sound intriguing to you? Then join me for the inaugural episode of Lawful influence – a new podcast hosted by Baker Botts Partner Sterling Marchand. Check it out!

Lawful Influence pulls back the curtain on legal issues in the world of campaign finance and lobbying, as there’s no escaping the political influences that impact your bottom line. If this sounds like something you might be interested in – keep listening and subscribe to Lawful Influence on your favorite platform below.

bakerbotts.com

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Attention Voluntary Carbon Market Participants, The CFTC Has Entered the Building

In today’s episode, Partner Michael Loesch discusses the CFTC’s growing interest in the increasingly crowded but thus far largely unregulated field of voluntary carbon offsets. The stakes associated with climate-related speech have never been higher as government agencies and activists alike are taking a hard look at how to provide existing regulatory and legal tools to carbon markets. 

Link to whistleblower alert issued by the CFTC.

 

Fast Facts on EPA’s Sweeping Expansion of its Coal Ash Regulations

On today’s episode, Megan Berge hands the reigns over to Partners, Kent Mayo and Martha Thomsen to discuss the EPA’s proposed legacy rule. A link to the rule is below and the comments close on Monday July 17^th. If you have questions about the proposed rule and its implications for your business, please contact Kent or Martha.

Federalregister.gov

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023: Debt Deal or Infrastructure Dealmaker?

On this episode of the Environmental Evolutions Podcast, Megan Berge is joined by Jeff Wood and Tom Jackson to explore the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. They'll dive into the key provisions aimed at approving federal energy and infrastructure permitting procedures, as well as the NEPA reforms included in the new law. 

The link to the law is below and if you have questions for Tom or Jeff, please contact them directly.

The final version of Public Law No. 118-5: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr3746/BILLS-118hr3746enr.pdf).