A natural gas-fueled power plant located near Los Angeles, California Oakland, CA — A California state judge has affirmed the constitutional right of residents concerned about air and climate pollution to challenge power plant siting decisions in their local Superior Court. In 2013, Earthjustice, Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 2001 law limiting judicial review of the California Energy Commission’s power-plant approvals to the California Supreme Court. Wednesday’s decision in the Alameda County Superior Court sides with the groups, agreeing that Superior Courts have jurisdiction to hear appeals of the Energy Commission’s licensing decisions. “While primarily a health and climate case, this was also an access to justice case,” said Stacey Geis, managing attorney for Earthjustice’s California regional office . “It is crucial that fossil fuel companies and utilities in California can no longer sidestep judicial review for huge fossil fuel projects, which could lock us into decades of dirty energy dependence. There are both environmental and economic clean energy alternatives.” Californians have become increasingly concerned about the construction of more gas power plants. These facilities are among the largest new stationary sources of air […]
Latest Articles
Indigenous Shuar Community in Ecuador Wins Decades-Long Battle to Protect Land
Takeaways: After a decades-long battle, Ecuador's National System of Protected Areas now includes the 5 497 hectare ancestral Tiwi Nunka Forest.
These protections mean...
New Barbie Honors Jane Goodall and Champions Sustainability
Takeaways: Coinciding with World Chimpanzee Day, Barbie's new doll honours Dr Jane Goodall and her work with these animals.
Barbie has also introduced a...
How Citizen Science Helps NOAA Keep Tabs on Our Oceans
Takeaways: Volunteers contribute more than a million hours to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which runs citizen projects annually.
Projects range from tracking...
Chimps Digging Wells Shows Learned Behavior That May Help Amid Climate Change
Takeaways: Researchers have observed well-digging behaviour in a group of chimpanzees in Uganda.
This was the first time well-digging was observed in a rainforest.
...
Why Our Creativity Connects Us To Nature
Why Our Creativity Connects Us To Nature Guest post by: Philippa Robin, Creative Copywriter & Wordsmith The artistical side of life in our western culture is well known as...
Biden–Harris Admin Launches New Solar Initiatives to Lower Electricity Bills & Create Clean Energy...
Takeaways: The Biden–Harris Administration launched new initiatives to connect families to more reliable clean energy, lower electricity bills, and create good-paying jobs in the...