Environment / Energy

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The order addresses various state-level initiatives deemed to burden the US energy sector.

By Betty M. Huber and Austin J. Pierce

On April 8, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Protecting American Energy From State Overreach” (the Order). The Order asserts that state and local laws and policies covering various aspects of energy policy undermine American energy dominance and, by extension, national security. In response, Order calls for sweeping action by the federal government to combat such localized…

The White House in Washington DC, USA, South front Portico.Workplace of the president of the United States.

The president’s actions aim to bolster coal production and exports and coal-fired power generation, highlighting the importance of coal to US economic and national security.

By Karl Karg, Devin M. O’Connor, Stacey VanBelleghem, and Bisi Ogunmefun

On April 8, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order (Order) to boost coal production and exports, following other White House actions designed to spur domestic energy production and power generation. This latest Order emphasizes the economic and national security importance…

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EPA’s electronic mailbox is open for requests from stationary sources until March 31.

By Karl A. Karg, Stacey L. VanBelleghem, and Bruce M. Johnson

In March 2025, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has set up an electronic mailbox to allow stationary sources to request a Presidential Exemption from certain standards under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Section 112 requires EPA to establish emission standards for certain stationary sources of hazardous…

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The order aims to coordinate government efforts to fast-track permitting and accelerate funding to enhance critical minerals value chains from the mine to finished products.

By Nikki Buffa, Devin M. O’Connor, and Austin J. Pierce

On March 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production” (the Order). The Order, which we noted in our blog post Week 9 in Review, represents another step by the Trump administration to expand…

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The EPA administrator announced 31 deregulatory actions the agency will prioritize.

On March 12, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a video and accompanying press release from Administrator Lee Zeldin identifying a list of 31 actions the EPA plans to take that are designed to “unleash American energy, lower cost of living for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, restore the rule of law, and give power back to states to make their own decisions.”

The 31 actions implicate…

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This grant of authority could accelerate the permitting process for carbon capture and storage projects in the state.

By Joshua T. Bledsoe, Nikki Buffa, Jennifer Roy, and Samantha Yeager

On February 18, 2025, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a final rule granting West Virginia primary enforcement authority, or “primacy,” for permitting Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act, marking a step forward for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects…

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The policy memo aims to preserve an open investment environment as well as restrict investment in strategic sectors.

By James H. Barker, Les P. Carnegie, Damara L. Chambers, Zachary N. Eddington, Ruchi G. Gill, and Catherine Hein

Late on Friday, February 21, 2025, the White House released its “America First Investment Policy” memorandum.

The presidential action seeks to enhance US national and economic security by directing department and agency heads to preserve an open investment…

The White House of the United States of America Building

The Trump administration continues to curb regulation and federal spending while defending previous actions in court.

This week, President Trump issued executive orders asserting direct control over independent agencies and empowering the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to scrutinize agency regulations. Meanwhile, the administration faces a steady stream of lawsuits attempting to block orders cutting off funding and freezing agency activities.

Latham lawyers are carefully monitoring the rollout of President Trump’s policy priorities through executive orders, agency actions, and installment…

On February 20, 2025, Latham’s Congressional Investigations lawyers will preview the likely oversight priorities of the new Congress and outline best practices in responding to congressional investigations.

With the arrival of the 119th Congress and Republican control of the House and Senate, congressional oversight of the private sector will continue to be robust, including on issues such as technology, privacy, healthcare, China, the environment and natural resources, higher education, and climate and DEI initiatives.

During this installment of the firm’s…