Environmental Evolutions

Top Five Energy Transition Tax Benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act

In this episode, host Megan Berge turns the mic over to energy transition tax specialist, partner Barbara de Marigny. Barbara provides a rundown of the five Inflation Reduction Act tax benefits that she is most excited about. If you have tricky energy transition tax question, you can contact Barbara.

Changes are Coming to the California LCFS

In this episode, host Megan Berge and Special Counsel Julie Cress review the California Air Resource Board’s first steps in amending the low carbon fuel standard. Materials from the Board’s first workshop on the LCFS is available through CARB.

If you have questions about the LCFS, you can contact Megan Berge or Julie Cress.

Julie is a returning guest from our California 101 episode, a primer on California's air regulatory regime.

Environmental Justice: Audits, data, and disclosures, oh my!

In this episode, host Megan Berge, with partners Anne Carpenter and Alexandra Dunn, explores the intersection of three key movements affecting companies, their boardrooms, their employees, and customers: Environmental Justice (EJ), Environment, Social, Governance (ESG), and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) focus on climate disclosure. Their timely discussion touches developing measurable sustainability goals, integrating ESG and other equity considerations, and  leveraging existing sources of data and information.

Baker Botts EJ and ESG resources can be found at:
https://www.bakerbotts.com/services/practice-areas/environmental-social-governance-esg/environmental-justice

https://www.bakerbotts.com/services/practice-areas/environmental-social-governance-esg

 

Information on the SEC’s Climate Disclosure Proposal can be found at:
https://www.bakerbotts.com/thought-leadership/publications/2022/march/sec-proposes-historic-sweeping-disclosures-of-climate-related-risks

Listen to Our Podcast on the SEC Climate Disclosure Proposal:
https://www.bakerbotts.com/thought-leadership/publications/2022/march/environmental-evolutions-fast-facts-on-the-secs-proposed-climate-disclosure-regulations

ESG, Antitrust & A Conspiracy to Replace Whale Oil

In an episode ripped from the headlines, antitrust partner Joe Ostoyich joins host, Megan Berge, to discuss recent articles questioning whether ESG violates antitrust laws. 

If you have questions, more information is available on our Antitrust practice is available at bakerbotts.com.

One of the hosts, Joe Ostoyich, is no longer affiliated with Baker Botts L.L.P.

PFAS in your products? This pod’s for you.

In this episode, host Megan Berge talks with partners Josh Frank and Alexandra Dunn about new litigation trend – consumers bringing lawsuits against companies for not disclosing that certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are in their products. Recent cases impact fast food, cosmetic, grocery, garment, and – are determined to be in their fast food wrappers, cosmetics, or clothing. Resource links, including a quick reference chart of recent cases, are below. 

For questions, please reach out to Alex Dunn or Josh Frank. 

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/exposure.html

https://www.fda.gov/food/chemical-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-pfas-food

Recent cases reference chart

All Things Chemical: A Conversation with Alex Dunn

In today's episode, we're showcasing another podcast called All Things Chemical. It recently featured Baker Botts Partner, Alex Dunn in an episode, exploring everything from changes in EPS approach to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act known as FIFRA and what's coming next in this area. Alex is the immediate past Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP). More importantly, Alex is a repeat guest here on Environmental Evolutions.

They’re Heeeeere! Fast Facts on the SEC’s Proposed Climate Disclosure Regulations

In this fast facts episode, host Megan Berge is joined by white collar litigation Partner Sterling Marchand to provide a run down of the key elements of the SEC’s newly proposed climate disclosure regulations. The proposed regulations are available on the SEC website: https://www.sec.gov/rules/proposed/2022/33-11042.pdf. The SEC is accepting comment on them through May 20, 2022.

A client alert with further information is available at bakerbotts.com.

 

Sterling’s practice focuses on complex litigation in federal and state courts, including environmental, climate change, and commercial matters. He also assists corporate clients across a variety of industries with internal investigations, compliance, and white-collar criminal defense. If you have questions on the proposed climate disclosure regulations, please reach out to Sterling. 

Carbon Offsets Q & A

In this episode, host, and Baker Botts partner, Megan Berge and Director of Program Development at ClimeCo, Lauren Mechak answer the questions: What is a carbon offset?  What makes a high quality offset? And, what is the process for originating offsets?

If you have questions about originating carbon offsets or carbon offset brokerage, Lauren can be reached at lmechak@climeco.com. ClimeCo is a global, full-service advisor, transaction facilitator, trader, and developer of environmental commodities and sustainability solutions.

Fast Facts on FERC Developments

In this episode Baker Botts Partner Emil Barth joins host, Megan Berge, to discuss the recent certificate policy statement that sets forth the factors it will apply in assessing applications for new natural gas infrastructure. Megan and Emil will also review the interim greenhouse gas policy statement which focuses on how FERC will assess, significance from greenhouse gas emissions going forward and how it will count those emissions.

 

If you have questions, Emil’s contact information is available through his bio at the link above and for more information on our Energy Regulatory practice is available at bakerbotts.com.

Why you should care about New Jersey’s new environmental justice statute

Why should you care about New Jersey’s new environmental justice law? In this episode, host Megan Berge speaks with Baker Botts attorney Scott Novak about the latest developments in the implementation of this groundbreaking state statute and what it could mean for other states and federal legislation. Listen in!

 

If you have questions about environmental justice or the New Jersey law, please contact Scott. The map discussed in today’s episode is available at njdep.maps.arcgis.com. Finally, bakerbotts.com/ACELAS is a great resource for companies getting started with their environmental justice plans.