United States: Environment

On July 7, 2026, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) completed its review of final rules to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

In September 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule that would eliminate reporting obligations under the longstanding federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP)...

The California Fish and Game Commission has postponed its decision on whether to grant candidate species status to the western spadefoot toad under the California Endangered Species Act...

In September 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule that would eliminate reporting obligations under the longstanding federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP)...

Baker Botts Partner Michael Harrison examines the global drive toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through P2N0, a monthly publication tracking policy developments and project advancements. This edition provides concise summaries of major international news items focused on the transition to net-zero emissions.

Following EPA's February 2026 repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding that established greenhouse gases as air pollutants threatening public health, two major legal challenges have emerged in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Health organizations and a coalition of 24 states are separately contesting the agency's decision to eliminate federal GHG emission standards for motor vehicles, with both cases potentially delayed pending EPA's response to administrative reconsideration petitions.

On June 29, EPA issued a draft guidance memorandum, “Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) in Biosolids.” The Draft Guidance reaffirms EPA’s...

On June 24, 2026, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that it intends to extend the initial reporting deadline under California’s...

Seventeen states and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors have filed a federal lawsuit challenging California's Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act...

On June 29, EPA issued a draft guidance memorandum, “Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) in Biosolids.” The Draft Guidance reaffirms EPA’s...

On 20 June 2026, 17 states and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors filed a complaint in the US District Court for the Eastern District of California challenging California’s extended producer...

California's Circular Action Alliance has submitted its draft program plan to implement the state's extended producer responsibility law for plastic and packaging, outlining ambitious goals including a projected $1.87 billion budget for 2027 and plans to raise $5 billion over ten years through producer fees. The comprehensive 12-chapter plan addresses everything from environmental justice considerations to fee structures, with a public comment period open until August 14, 2026.