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Showing 2,837 results

James Goodwin | February 4, 2009

Revoking EO 13422: An Important First Step Toward Fixing the Regulatory System

Observers concerned with the current dysfunctional state of the U.S. regulatory system will be letting out a collective sigh of relief following the publication of Executive Order 13497.  Among other things, this Order officially revokes the controversial Executive Order 13422, issued during George W. Bush Administration. Issued in 2007, Executive Order 13422 amended President Clinton’s […]

A. Dan Tarlock, Holly Doremus | February 3, 2009

Takings Claims in the Klamath Basin

Tarlock and Doremus are co-authors of Water War in the Klamath Basin: Macho Law, Combat Biology, and Dirty Politics, published by Island Press in 2008. Last week, the Oregon Supreme Court agreed to decide whether irrigators in the Klamath Basin "own" water delivered by the federal Klamath Reclamation Project. This latest development is one more […]

Sidney A. Shapiro | February 2, 2009

President Obama’s FOIA Order

On January 21, 2009, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum that I’m hopeful will be the start of undoing much of the excessive secrecy practiced by the previous administration. The memorandum, established that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) “should be administered with a clear presumption: In the face of doubt, openness prevails.” A recent […]

Yee Huang | January 30, 2009

Digital Signals E-Waste: Not In My Backyard

When analog signals for broadcast television end on February 17, one problem of the digital signal switch for televisions will remain: what to do with older televisions that are incompatible with digital signals.  While the federal government is providing rebates to purchasers of converter boxes for older televisions, the boxes are simply a stopgap measure […]

Margaret Clune Giblin | January 29, 2009

Studies Highlight Need for Natural Resource Adaptation Measures

This week, there’s been good news from the Obama Administration regarding climate change policy.  California will likely get that waiver under the Clean Air Act allowing it to set stricter emissions standards for cars.  Additionally, Lisa Jackson, the new Administrator of EPA, indicated in an e-mail (subscription required) to agency employees that the agency will […]

Holly Doremus | January 28, 2009

More Accusations of Politics Trumping Science and Law at Interior

Cross-posted from Environment & Law.   The Washington Post reports that officials at the Department of Interior ignored “key scientific findings” and the views of National Park Service officials “when they limited water flows in the Grand Canyon to optimize generation of electric power there, risking damage to the ecology of the spectacular national landmark.” […]

Shana Campbell Jones | January 28, 2009

Rescuing Science from Politics, Texas Style

We will restore science to its rightful place. — President Barack Obama, Inaugural Speech   As Governor of Texas, I have set high standards for our public schools, and I have met those standards. — Former President George W. Bush, Aug. 2000 CNN Interview     With former President Bush hightailing it back to Texas last […]

Matthew Freeman | January 27, 2009

A Good Day for the Environment

No question about it: A new sheriff’s in town. After eight years of environmental policymaking bent around the convenience of oil companies and other polluting industries, yesterday was like a breath of fresh, clean air. And indeed, clean air is one likely outcome from the Obama Administration’s first few steps on the environment yesterday.   […]

Matthew Freeman | January 27, 2009

CPR’s Nina Mendelson on President Obama and the California Waiver

CPR Member Scholar Nina Mendelson has a piece in today’s New York Times “Room for Debate” online feature on California’s Clean Air Act waiver request.  She says President Obama’s direction to EPA that it reconsider its previous denial of the waiver (issued during the Bush Administration) “reaffirms the critical role of states as environmental leaders, […]