States sue Trump administration over halt on wind energy development

Attorneys general from 17 Democratic-led states and D.C. have asked a district court to block Trump’s ban on wind energy approvals and declare it illegal.

By Diana DiGangi • May 8, 2025

House committee proposes annual $250 fee for EVs

Shoring up the Highway Trust Fund with annual federal registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles is part of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal.

By Dan Zukowski • May 7, 2025

Policy, tax uncertainty holding back US clean energy development

Clean energy policy experts gathered at DC Climate Week said that the current uncertainty around the U.S. tax and tariff environment is inhibiting the market.

By Lamar Johnson • May 2, 2025

Clothing prioritized in European Commission’s sustainable products plan

Beginning in 2025, a five-year plan will outline new requirements for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

By Lauren Schenkman • May 2, 2025

Federal appeals court temporarily pauses litigation on Biden-era DOL ESG rule

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 30-day pause in the case, but noted that it “will not permit an open-ended abeyance.”

By Zoya Mirza • May 1, 2025

DOT repeals highway GHG emissions reporting rule

The Biden-era rule, which required states and metropolitan planning organizations to monitor and set targets to reduce CO2 emissions, faced political opposition and lawsuits.

By Dan Zukowski • April 30, 2025

Renewable energy advocates see threats from Texas legislation

SB 819 would “represent a significant change to renewables development,” with new siting requirements for wind and solar, said law firm Vinson & Elkins.

By Diana DiGangi • April 29, 2025

Clean energy manufacturers cancel projects as Trump-era policies take hold

Companies canceled, closed or downsized nearly $8 billion in projects in Q1.

By Kate Magill • April 28, 2025

Net Zero in motion: A case study in sustainable logistics

Cut emissions, not quality—how PCI Pharma Services cut 13.9 tons of CO₂ in just 3 months.

By Tim Hansen, ESG Director, PCI Pharma Services and Sandra Voss, Director, Global Sustainability, Marken, UPS Healthcare Precision Logistics • April 28, 2025

Companies should seek a DEI ‘refresh,’ not a reboot, says former top EEOC official

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs do not pose legal risks when done right, said Chai Feldblum, who decried the idea that DEI is a “legal minefield.”

By Ryan Golden • April 25, 2025

Climate advocates brace for Trump executive order targeting nonprofits’ tax exempt status

Environmental groups are anticipating attempts to revoke their tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status, and some are vowing to fight any such attempts. 

By Diana DiGangi • April 25, 2025

Labor Dept. considers rescinding Biden-era ESG fiduciary rule

The agency asked for a suspension of litigation in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, as it considers whether to get rid of the rule allowing pension funds to consider ESG factors.

By Lamar Johnson • April 22, 2025

Solar advocates lobby on strong fundamentals amid political uncertainty

As Congress weighs tax incentive cuts, and tariffs drive up materials prices, the solar industry is emphasizing the technology’s low cost and fast deployment speed.

By Diana DiGangi • April 22, 2025

EPA granted appellate stay after judge rules to end GGRF funding freeze

A judge ruled Tuesday to end the freeze and allow grantees to access their funding, but appellate judges granted EPA a stay on that injunction late Wednesday. 

By Diana DiGangi • April 21, 2025

Ex-Accenture worker says company denied him promotions to hit DEI goals

With DEI drawing more scrutiny, attorneys have advised companies to review their policies and ensure they are free of quotas, set asides and preferences.

By Emilie Shumway • April 21, 2025

Energy regulator grants BlackRock renewed authorization for large utility investments

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave the nation’s largest asset manager approval to continue to acquire up to 20% of voting securities for utility companies for another three years.

By Lamar Johnson • April 18, 2025

Trump administration ordered to resume IRA funding

A federal judge’s decision, which stated agencies lacked authority to pause funding, follows the president’s executive order to freeze the money on his first day in office. 

By Kate Magill • April 18, 2025

SEC approves first US ‘green’ stock exchange

The Securities and Exchange Commission gave final approval for Green Impact Exchange to open the first national exchange for sustainability offerings, with trading set to begin in 2026.

By Lamar Johnson • April 17, 2025

Lego removes DEI mentions from latest ESG report

A webpage touting Lego’s “diverse and inclusive workplace” remains on the company’s site.

By Caroline Colvin • April 17, 2025

4 big law firms agree not to label lawful programs as DEI, EEOC says

The announcement follows Acting Chair Andrea Lucas’ move last month to investigate several law firms’ diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

By Ryan Golden • April 16, 2025

Organizations prioritize sustainability, but they’re slowed by manual data processes

A slowdown in federal sustainability mandates is pushing building operators to focus on reduction initiatives, Atrius says.

By Joe Burns • April 15, 2025

UN reaches deal on global shipping net-zero standard in spite of US opposition

The framework would set fuel intensity standards for the global shipping industry. The Trump administration has threatened “reciprocal measures” to offset costs for U.S. companies.

By Lamar Johnson • April 14, 2025

Trump directs FERC, other agencies to add 5-year sunsets to energy-related regulations

The executive order is “impossible to implement [and] blatantly illegal,” according to Harvard Law School’s Ari Peskoe.

By Ethan Howland • April 11, 2025

EU legislators work to simplify sustainability reporting requirements

The European Union has delayed sustainability reporting for the CSRD and CSDDD while legislators work to simplify the underlying requirements for businesses.

By Lamar Johnson • April 10, 2025

4 ways tariffs could impact recycled plastic markets

Recycling industry analysts say high-level trends affecting markets and manufacturing will affect recyclers as trade war uncertainties continue.

By Megan Quinn • April 10, 2025