Apr 23, 2020

Supreme Court Rejects Clean Water Act Loophole

“With the nation’s landmark clean water protections in peril, the Supreme Court made the right call today,” said Heather Govern, Director of CLF’s Clean Air and Water program. “The Trump Administration attempted to open a serious loophole in the Clean Water Act and was roundly rejected. This decision will prevent pollution and help repair the rivers, streams, and marine waters throughout New England that so many of us depend on.”

Apr 22, 2020

Massachusetts Commits to Net Zero Emissions by 2050

“Governor Baker deserves high praise for this Earth Day reminder that action on climate cannot be postponed, even in the midst of a hobbling public health crisis,” said Brad Campbell, President of Conservation Law Foundation. “CLF looks forward to working with the Baker Administration on the down-payment toward this strengthened legal mandate —rules to cut the Commonwealth’s fossil fuel use in half by 2030.”

Massachusetts State House
Apr 17, 2020

CLF Appeals Ruling in Climate Case Against Exxon

“The communities surrounding this facility cannot wait for the EPA to dig through a mountain of backlogged permits to feel safe,” said Bradley Campbell, President of Conservation Law Foundation. “And waiting for a major storm to expose the vulnerability of the terminal is also not an option. This case needs to move forward now so Exxon is forced to prepare for the impacts the climate crisis will have on this facility. The health of thousands of its neighbors depends on it.”

An aerial view of Exxon's tank farm in Everett, MA showing white fuel storage tanks near the waters of Boston Harbor
Apr 14, 2020

Maine Department of Environmental Protection Issues Draft NECEC Permit

“The DEP was absolutely right to impose additional and significant conditions as part of its approval of this project,” said Phelps Turner, Senior Attorney at CLF. “It’s clear the DEP carefully considered the testimony presented by CLF and The Nature Conservancy last year on the importance of protecting critical wildlife habitat areas. Yesterday, we submitted comments on the draft order that would strengthen these conditions even further.”

Apr 09, 2020

Judge Rules that Federal Fishery Managers Violated the Endangered Species Act

“This decision confirms that even the federal government is not above the law,” said Erica Fuller, CLF Senior Attorney. “We must do whatever it takes to ensure right whales are here for future generations, and that starts with obeying the Endangered Species Act. The ruling provides an incentive for fishermen and scientists to forge a new path  that protects right whales while also sustaining the lobster industry.”

right whale aerial shot
Mar 31, 2020

Trump EPA Announces Final Rollback of Clean Car Standards

“Rolling back critical public health protections in the midst of a pandemic is appalling,” said Emily Green, Senior Attorney at CLF. “The clean car standards are designed to protect our health while saving drivers money at the gas pump. This administration’s rejection of science and accountability knows no bounds, and we’ll continue to challenge this reckless rule change.”

EPA revokes state authority to set vehicle emissions standards
Mar 24, 2020

Fossil Fuel Industry Asks for Bailout Amid Pandemic

“Congress must prioritize people over polluters,” said Bradley Campbell, President of Conservation Law Foundation. “The very communities that continue to suffer disproportionately high rates of disease at the hands of big oil are now directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Any relief legislation must be focused on helping these families and not bailing out big oil and gas.”

Mar 12, 2020

Proposal for Providence “Garbage Depot” Withdrawn

“The decision to scrap plans for this garbage depot is an unqualified win for the neighborhood,” said Kevin Budris, staff attorney at CLF Rhode Island. “The community was loud and clear in opposing the toxic exhaust and dust this dirty facility would produce. We need to put our efforts into reducing waste, rather than forcing our communities to deal with pollution from trash that they did not create.”

waste transfer station
Feb 26, 2020

Columbia Gas Pleads Guilty in Merrimack Valley Gas Disaster

“While today’s guilty plea hopefully brings some element of closure in this disaster, the risks that fracked gas poses to our communities and our climate can only be addressed by breaking our addiction to fossil fuels,” said Greg Cunningham, Vice President & Director of CLF’s Clean Energy Climate Change program. “As the Commonwealth considers transferring the utility privileges held by Columbia Gas to a new owner, it must ensure that gas utilities are truly committed to safety and combatting the climate crisis. The funds from this settlement must be directed towards the historically marginalized communities that have been hit hardest by this disaster.”

Feb 26, 2020

Maine Legislators Hold Hearing on Groundbreaking Recycling Bill

“Plastic producers have been given a free pass to pollute our communities for far too long at taxpayer expense,” said John Hite, Zero Waste Policy Analyst at CLF. “Single-use packaging has upended recycling and filled our oceans, communities, and landfills with plastic pollution. LD2104 will require packaging companies to deal with the mess they’ve made and create products that don’t wreak havoc on our recycling systems and environment.”