Environmental Law Monitor

In this episode of the Environmental Law Monitor, Daniel Pope shares a conversation from Bracewell's Data Center Counsel with Jared Berg and Jason Hutt. The trio explores why brownfield sites — former industrial properties like old power plants and steel mills — are increasingly attractive to data center developers thanks to existing power infrastructure and water access. They discuss navigating C...

In this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope is joined by Shailesh Sahay and Stephen Wald to discuss how ESG compliance is evolving as California and international regulators take the lead on climate disclosure requirements. The conversation explores California’s emerging greenhouse gas disclosure regimes — including SB 253 and SB 261 — and the complexities of Scope...

A quieter federal enforcement environment presents both risk and opportunity. On this episode of Environmental Law Monitor, Daniel Pope and Tim Wilkins explore how companies should respond. While EPA enforcement actions have declined, the underlying statutes, regulations and permits remain in force. The five-year federal statute of limitations means that today’s violations may be tomorrow’s enforc...

Scott Segal joins Taylor Stuart and Daniel Pope on the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor to unpack the sweeping impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” on the US energy sector. From policy changes and the future of electric vehicles, to rising energy demand from AI and data centers, the conversation highlights why a diverse energy mix is essential to powering America’s future.

In the latest episode of The Environmental Law Monitor, Bracewell’s Anouk Nouet joins Daniel Pope to delve into the complexities of criminal negligence in environmental law. Using United States v. Hanousek and a major oil spill in Alaska as a case study, they unpack the legal intricacies and the unexpected outcome for Edward Hanousek, the roadmaster of the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, offering v...

In the latest episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, Ann Navaro joins hosts Daniel Pope and Taylor Stuart to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County . They delve into the ruling’s clarifications on judicial deference and an agency’s obligations under NEPA. The trio also examine the potential impacts on infrastruct...

On this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, Jeff Holmstead joins Daniel Pope and Taylor Stuart to discuss greenhouse gas regulations, the controversial endangerment finding and the future of environmental policy under the second Trump administration. They delve into the origins of the endangerment finding for greenhouse gases and explore its implications and the potential impact of...

On this episode of the Environmental Law Monitor, Daniel Pope and Taylor Stuart discuss the shifting landscape under the new Trump administration, comparing regulatory actions and priorities with those of previous administration, and delve into the complexities of NEPA regulations, endangered species and the impact of political changes on environmental legal practice. They explore how these transi...

On this episode of the Environmental Law Monitor, Daniel Pope, Taylor Stuart, Kevin Ewing and Ann Navaro discuss the shift in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulation and break down the recent decision in Marin Audubon Society v. the FAA. They discuss implications of the DC Circuit ruling for federal agencies and what it means for the future of environmental and natural resources law an...

A conversation with Scott Churbock of Montrose Environmental Group on emerging technologies and regulatory developments surrounding PFAS.

Dive into the seismic shift in environmental law as the Supreme Court overturns Chevron deference in Loper Bright Enterprises vs. Raimondo. Host Daniel Pope, alongside experts Jeff Holmstead and Brittany Pemberton, dissects the implications of this landmark decision for regulatory practices and the future of agency policymaking. Unravel the complexities of this pivotal moment in legal history with...

Judicial clerkships can be invaluable experiences for environmental attorneys. So, how can a judicial clerkship add value to the environmental lawyer’s practice and career, and what are some considerations to keep in mind when looking for a judicial clerkship? This episode answers these common questions and more.  On this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host  Taylor S...

On this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, guest Matthew Tejada , senior vice president for environmental health at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) , discusses environmental justice with host Daniel Pope and  Steven Cook , of counsel in Bracewell’s Environment, Lands and Resources practice.  Tune in to hear Dan, Matt, and Steven discuss environmental justice – a signa...

In a special crossover episode with Bracewell’s Policy Resolution Group (PRG) podcast The Lobby Shop, Daniel Pope and Taylor Stuart sit down with PRG’s Liam Donovan and Joe Brazauskas to do a deep dive on the Congressional Review Act, a powerful tool that has the Biden administration scrambling to finalize its regulatory proposals ahead of electoral uncertainty.

Women have become more prominent and influential in environmental law. What better time to celebrate and recognize women lawyers than during Women’s History Month?  On this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host  Taylor Stuart is joined by three guests who focus their practice on environmental issues:  Christine Wyman , senior counsel at  Chevron , along with  Brittany Pemberton...

The Edwards Aquifer is the primary source of drinking water for many people in central Texas. The deep caverns of the aquifer are also home to two species of blind catfish.  On this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope is joined by guests Amanda Glen , senior natural resources technical director at SWCA , a global environmental consulting firm, and Ann Navaro , part...

Go generate emissions credits. It’s worth it. On this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope and environment, lands and resources partner Whit Swift talk with Kyle Breeze , vice president of Gulf Coast Emissions at Anew , about Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area emissions credits.   The conversation dives into how the price and value of emissions credits have changed ove...

On this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, we look back at the significant developments in environmental and natural resources law and policy in 2023, as well as look ahead to what's to come in 2024. Co-hosts Daniel Pope and Taylor Stuart talk with Ann Navaro and Tim Wilkins , partners in Bracewell’s environment, lands and resources practice, about a range of topics, including the...

It can be difficult to keep track and make sense of all the activity under the EPA’s Clean Air Act programs and regulations.  In this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, co-hosts Daniel Pope and Taylor Stuart talk with Brittany Pemberton , a partner in Bracewell’s environment, lands and resources practices to make sense of EPA’s Good Neighbor Rule, derived from the Clean Air Act’s...

Since the 1980s, Chevron deference has set the standard for when courts should defer to reasonable agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. That may all change, however, as the US Supreme Court will reconsider the Chevron deference in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. In this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope talks with administrative law scholar Kristin...

“Community engagement” is a frequently used but rarely defined term. What does community engagement mean, and, more importantly, how do you do it well?  In this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope talks with Jackie Medcalf , founder, CEO and executive director of the Texas Health and Environment Alliance , and Steven Cook , of counsel in Bracewell’s environment, la...

When is a corporate parent potentially liable for the actions or omissions of its subsidiary related to the release of hazardous substances? Hint: If a party is in a position to control the environmental risk, it could be held liable. In this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope talks with Jason Hutt , head of Bracewell’s environment, lands and resources practice, a...

Tax incentives for carbon capture are aimed at accomplishing societal good. They’re not just putting money in the pockets of big corporations.  In this episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host  Daniel Pope discusses the role of tax incentives in the energy transition with Elizabeth McGinley , chair of Bracewell’s tax department and Steven Cook , of counsel in Bracewell’s environmen...

In the second of a two-part episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope continues the conversation with Bracewell partner Steven Cook about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). They explore the unique challenges presented by the ubiquity of PFAS in society and how government and industry stakeholders can assess and respond to the long-term adverse consequences.

In the first of a two-part episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope talks with Bracewell partner Steven Cook , who served as deputy assistant administrator at the EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management prior to joining the firm, about the ways that companies and agencies deal with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS) and a look back at the history of the m...