Legal Voice Blog

Final Days / First Days: The Trump Administration’s Environmental Rollbacks and the Biden Administration’s Reversal

By: Abigail Zonarich Noted to be the “most anti-nature president in U.S. history,”[1] former president Donald Trump operated his final days in the Oval Office with vengeance against the American environment; aiming to diminish and eliminate strong protections against notoriously harmful, anti-environmental practices, Donald Trump continued to work solely for […]

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Can the Biden Administration Revoke Leases for Arctic Drilling Granted by the Trump Administration?

By: Nina Victoria On January 6, 2021, only fourteen days before President-Elect Joe Biden is inaugurated, the Trump Administration will begin selling oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.[1] However, there are compelling reasons to prevent drilling in the region including to protect vulnerable arctic wildlife, the […]

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The End of the Salmon Run: Environmental Organization’s Lawsuit Against EPA Wraps Up

By: Sarah Machinak After seven years of litigation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has negotiated settlement terms by way of a proposed stipulated order of partial dismissal in its battle with Northwest Environmental Advocates [“Northwest”], an organization that works to restore water quality and habitats. Northwest, in conjunction with the […]

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Weed Be Good Together: Environmental Regulation & The Marijuana Industry

Weed Be Good Together: Environmental Regulation & The Marijuana Industry

By: Gabrielle Kolencik Photo courtesy of: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Environmental_Impacts_from_Marijuana_Cultivation.pdf With the recent legalization of recreational use in four states, along with the legalization for medical use in Mississippi[1], marijuana is clearly a growing industry in the United States.  Marijuana legalization is often discussed in the context of criminal law.  Indeed, thoughtful legalization […]

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The Influence of Environmental Issues on the 2020 Election

By Allison McKenzie As the world recovers from the heart attack of the 2020 United States presidential election, onlookers are likely curious about the impact that prevalent environmental issues had on voters across the country. The United States is often seen as a leading influence on other countries especially when […]

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Fuel and Foxes: On Fracking and the Rule of Capture

By Sarah Thomas Like wild animals, oil and gas are subject to the rule of capture.[1] The rule of capture was established by Pierson v. Post, a famous American property law case addressing which of two hunters possess rights to a killed fox in early-nineteenth century Southampton, New York.[2] [3] […]

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Joule on JUUL: Environmental Impacts of E-Cigarettes By: Jacey Hunter

Joule on JUUL: Environmental Impacts of E-Cigarettes E-cigarettes harm more than just human lungs; e-cigarettes harm the planet. E-cigarettes and e-cigarette single use pods are quickly becoming a disposable nightmare. The unregulated disposal of these products is not only causing a buildup of plastic waste but also environmental contamination. According […]

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FAST FOOD AND FACTORY FARMING: THE IRONY OF SERVING VEGAN “MEAT” By CharLee Rosini

   Industrial farming, also known as factory farming, dominates livestock production within the United States. Ultimately, this means that nearly all of the meat, poultry and dairy products consumed in the U.S. comes from facilities where thousands of animals, such as cattle, pigs, and chickens, are kept within closely confined […]

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