Written by: Kate Sullivan On July 28, 2022, the Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) proposed a rule (“the rule”) that would require a minimum crew size of two for all railroad operations.[1] Trains constantly transport hazardous chemicals across the United States, and the rule would provide increased safeguards to protect against […]
Legal Voice Blog
A Comparison of the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment and the Livingston, Louisiana Train Derailment of 1982
Written by: Meghann Principe As the impact and handling of the February 3rd Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio is ongoing, it may be helpful to compare it to another similar incident.[1] In East Palestine, a train made up of more than one hundred cars derailed.[2] Of these […]
R.S. 2477 and the Impact on the Western United States Continued
Written by: Maegan Stump The first of this series can be found here. As a recap, Revised Statute 2477 (“R.S. 2477”) was originally enacted in 1866, but the federal statute was later annulled by the Federal Land Management and Policy Act.[1] R.S. 2477 allowed implied easements, primarily on roads, to […]
The Unrealized and Unsuspecting Future of Electric Vehicle Batteries
Written by: Patrick Scully In September of 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-79-20, outright banning the sale of fossil-fueled cars by 2035.[1] Simultaneously heralded and rebuked by many, Executive Order N-79-20 nonetheless is the largest, and most daring, initiative on behalf of electric vehicles.[2] Whether approved or […]
The Unseen Costs of Your Morning Cup of Coffee
Written by: Gabriella Godlewski While most people are aware of the individual financial costs attributed to the purchase of a cup of coffee each day, many are not aware of the environmental costs of doing so. It is estimated that every cup of coffee consumed destroys roughly one square inch […]
Greenwashing, or Conscious Shopping?: H&M’s Controversial Sustainable Efforts
Written by: Meghan Wright On December 06, 2022, before a Missouri federal judge, the popular clothing brand H&M Hennes and Mauritz LP (known widely as “H&M”) filed a motion to dismiss in response to a class action claim brought against their “Conscious Choice” collection.[1] This collection was marketed as being […]
Legalizing “Green” Death Practices
Written by: Antonia Gelorme Where does the law intersect with the death industry and environmental consciousness? The “death industry” encompasses those businesses that are dedicated to memorializing loved ones who have passed on. In 2020, the industry, along with almost every aspect of society, was rocked by the pandemic. The […]
Groups Representing the Citizens of Flint, Michigan Allege That the City Has Failed To Meet Deadlines and Keep Accurate Records Regarding the Replacement of Lead Pipes
Written by: Daniel Larrimer Eight years after the story of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan became front-page news, the legal battles concerning the crisis persist. Civil rights and environmental groups allege that the city of Flint has failed to keep accurate records in compliance with a settlement agreement to […]
Heating in the United States
Written By: John Silvester As temperatures drop this fall, many Americans will feel the annual pecuniary pang that cold weather brings when they look at their gas or electric utility bill. The yearly spike in utility costs during the winter corresponds with increased energy consumption caused by the need to […]
Battling Climate Change One Rebate at a Time
Written By: Natalie Packert On August 16, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, a bill that has been long awaited by Democrats.[1] The bill’s purposes are: investing in healthcare by making health care and prescription drugs more affordable, taxing corporations, and battling climate change by […]