Catherine Louie This past summer, with the support of the NYSBA Environmental and Energy Law Section’s Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship, I worked for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in Region 2’s Office of General Counsel. I am very interested in an environmental law career in the public sector, particularly in New … Continued

Facts This action arose from allegations that defendants, Exxon Mobil Corp. and ExxonMobil Oil Corp. (collectively, “Exxon”), had caused methyl tertiary butyl ether (MBTE) to contaminate several groundwater sites in New Jersey. MBTE is a gasoline additive that breaks down in water.1 The plaintiff state, New Jersey, alleged that Exxon had contaminated or threatened to contaminate … Continued

Facts Executive Order 14008 (“the EO”) was signed by President Biden on Jan. 27, 2021.1 The EO included Section 208, in part stating, “[t]o the extent consistent with applicable law, the Secretary of the Interior shall pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or in offshore waters pending completion of a comprehensive review and … Continued

Facts Petitioners, South St. Seaport Coalition, sought to prevent 250 Seaport District, LLC (250SD), South Street Seaport Limited Partnership (SSSLP), and Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC; collectively, the “developer”) from erecting a 324-foot-tall building (the “building”) on a plot located in the South Street Seaport Historic District.1 Despite both the New York City Planning Commission (CPC) and … Continued

Facts In January 2017, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (the “service”) adopted an Environmental Impact Statement and a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (EIS and CCP) for five wildlife refuges in the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex (the “Complex”).1 The Complex covers approximately 200,000 acres in southern Oregon and northern California.2 The EIS and CCP restricts … Continued

Facts This case is an appeal from the United States District Court of Oregon. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s summary judgment to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service brought by the Audubon Society of Portland (ASP). ASP sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service arguing that the … Continued

Facts In April 2010, the Center for Biological Diversity, Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc., Waterkeepers Chesapeake, Inc., Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, and Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (collectively, “plaintiffs”) petitioned for the United States Fish and Wildlife (FWS), the FWS Acting Director, and the Secretary of the Interior (collectively, “defendants”) to list the eastern hellbender, an aquatic salamander, … Continued

Facts Plaintiff Danskammer Energy, LLC (“Danskammer”) owns and operates an existing natural gas-fired power energy plant in the town of Newburgh, Orange County.1 Danskammer filed an application in 2019 with defendant New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to obtain a Title V air permit to develop and operate an expanded natural gas-fired power plant for … Continued

Facts Plaintiff, Abdullah Spencer Nimham El Dey (the “plaintiff”), was (and continues to be) a prisoner in North Infirmary Command on Rikers Island.1 While being held, plaintiff alleged he had been exposed to a “covid ridden methane mutated mice bacterial contamination,” which resulted in a variety of health issues, including, “headaches, nausea, stomach cramps, diar[r]hea, nervousness, … Continued

Facts Plaintiffs E.S., A.T., R.V., and D.W. are four children who allegedly suffered neurocognitive harms as a result of their exposure to lead-contaminated drinking water in the city of Flint.1 They brought this suit for professional negligence against Veolia North America, LLC, Veolia North America, Inc., and Veolia Water North America Operating Services, LLC’s (collectively, VNA) … Continued