by: Delaney Szekely In early September, a major victory for Pittsburgh’s waterways occurred upon Styropek’s settlement with Three Rivers Waterkeeper, Penn Environment, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DPE).[1] After small plastic pellets infiltrated the water and banks of both Raccoon Creek and the Ohio River in 2022, environmentalists […]
Legal Voice
Fighting Fire With Fire: How Forest Management Policies Can Create Safer Forests
by: Jacob Zimmerman United States forests are beloved by millions of people and provide an excellent opportunity for visitors to enjoy nature. However, our forests have also become a dangerous force of destruction. The western U.S. has endured deadly wildfires for centuries. When settlers first moved into the western United […]
Alaska’s Controversial Use of a Predator Control Program to Address the Steep Population Decline of Mulchatna Carbiou
Written by: Matthew Kertesz With caribou in Alaska’s Mulchatna region facing steep population decline, the state government has adopted a controversial plan that has raised ethical concerns, as well as questions about the plan’s efficacy.[1] The plan surrounds a predator control program that empowers state authorities to aerially gun down […]
What is the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania Grant Program, and Will it Help RISE PA?
Written by: Dayen Wilson On February 26th 2025, the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (“RISE PA”) grant program opened for applications.[i] The grant program is focused on reducing greenhouse gas (“GHG”) and co-pollutant emissions across the state.[ii] $396 million is available to small, medium, and large scale decarbonization projects […]
Your Right to be Heard as a Pennsylvanian in the Face of Environmental Regulatory Impacts
Written by: Thane Zeeh Environmental laws affect Pennsylvanians in significant ways, whether through easements impacting individual land ownership,[1] the discharge of industrial waste and pollution in water sources,[2] or hazardous air pollution harming air quality.[3] One of the most significant legal mechanisms that impact the environment are environmental regulations.[4] Environmental […]
The Future of Environmental Law Under the New Trump Administration
Written by: Alexandra Brooks On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump was sworn into office as the 47th President of the United States.[1] Within a day’s time, President Trump signed a series of executive actions revoking 78 of former President Joe Biden’s policies altering the landscape of environmental law […]
The Battle for Oyster Rights: The Laws Impact on American Aquaculture
Written by: Zachary Atkins Oysters have long played a vital role in America’s coastal ecosystems and economy.[1] These remarkable creatures help purify the water and sustain the livelihoods of many Americans through aquaculture.[2] Modern oyster farming is an intensive process that requires significant investment as farmers must prepare estuary bottoms […]
Civil and Criminal Penalties in Action: The Rudy’s Case and the EPA’s Mission
Written by: Rachel Schade It is well known that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) key priority is protecting the nation’s air resources and quality.[1] One significant means of protection includes stopping aftermarket defeat devices for vehicles and engines.[2] Defeat devices illegally modify vehicles through a software designed to defeat […]
President Biden Leaves a Mixed Legacy on Drilling on Public Land
Written by: Cameron Gallentine On the campaign trail leading up to the 2020 Election, President Biden styled himself as a more proactive steward of the environment than any past president.[1] During a 2020 presidential debate, he even promised to stop new drilling for oil on public lands.[2] After the election, […]
A Legal Blueprint for Climate Activism: Insights from Juliana v. United States
Written by: Mark Schaeffer Introduction Juliana v. United States is a landmark climate lawsuit that has captured the attention of environmentalists, legal scholars, and policymakers alike. Filed in 2015 by twenty-one young plaintiffs represented by Our Children’s Trust (collectively “the plaintiffs”), the case argues that the U.S. government’s failure to […]