On April 3, 2025, the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR), Office of Conservation, issued a Draft Permit prepared by the Injection and Mining Division for Hackberry Carbon Sequestration, LLC (HCS) to drill, construct, and operate a Class VI injection well for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
Continue Reading CCS Update: Hackberry Carbon Sequestration, LLC Receives Draft Permit for Class VI Well in Cameron Parish
On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Zeldin announced that the agency, as one of its 31 historic deregulatory actions to advance President Trump’s Day One executive orders and EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback,” will reconsider the previous administration’s rule tightening the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PM2.5 NAAQS).
Continue Reading EPA to Reconsider Previous Administration’s PM 2.5 NAAQS, Continuing its Deregulatory Push
On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Zeldin announced that the agency will undertake 31 deregulatory actions to advance President Trump’s Day One executive orders and EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback.”
Continue Reading EPA Announces 31 Historic Actions Publicized as “Greatest Day of Deregulation Our Nation Has Seen”
On March 12, 2025, EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers issued a joint memorandum providing guidance to field staff on implementing the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) as it pertains to “adjacent wetlands.”
Continue Reading EPA and Army Corps Issue New Guidance for Implementing WOTUS Definition under Supreme Court’s Sackett Decision
On February 6, 2025, the Trump Administration announced the appointment of Scott Mason IV as regional EPA Administrator for Region 6. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Region 6 covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 66 Tribal Nations
Continue Reading President Trump Appoints Scott Mason IV as Region 6 EPA Administrator
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued the “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order (“EO”) with the stated purpose of ensuring an abundant supply of affordable and reliable energy in the United States.
Continue Reading NEPA Changes Slated Under President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order
On January 29, 2025, the Senate voted to confirm former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin as EPA Administrator. Zeldin is a 44-year-old attorney who represented New York’s 1st Congressional District from 2015-2023.
Continue Reading Senate Confirms Zeldin as EPA Administrator, President Trump’s EPA Begins to Take Shape
On December 10, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump promised expedited permitting for energy and other construction projects worth more than $1 billion.
Continue Reading Louisiana is “Open for Business,” but Projects Need to Proceed Carefully
On October 9, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published the final rule, Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance (“VID-NSP”), establishing national performance standards under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (“VIDA”).
Continue Reading EPA Issues Much-Anticipated Final Rule Establishing National Standards of Performance for Vessel Incidental Discharges
The Louisiana Supreme Court has declined to review the First Circuit Court of Appeal’s ruling in Rise St. James v. LDEQ, essentially cementing the appellate court’s holding that an analysis of environmental justice (EJ) issues is required under Louisiana’s Public Trust Doctrine.
Continue Reading EJ Analysis Remains Part of Louisiana’s Public Trust Duty