Building Decarbonization Update: Local Governments in California Consider Strategies to Reduce Natural Gas Use in Buildings
Following up on the October 2019 and February 2020 editions of In the Public Interest, this article provides an update regarding strategies proposed by several cities and counties to encourage or require existing buildings to go all-electric.
Mid-Cycle 2022 CALGreen Building Code Update Re: Changes Coming in 2023 to State Energy Code and Green Building Standards
California Building Standards Commission adopts updates to electric vehicle charging requirements for new multifamily buildings Since we first wrote about the latest Energy Code and energy-related CALGreen updates that went into effect statewide in January 2023, some additional important updates have been made to CALGreen. Following this regular triannual update, the California Building Standards Commission […]
Tribes, Agencies, Other Experts Collaborate on Wildfire Mitigation Strategies
From the deadly conflagration in Hawaii to the toxic smoke blanketing the East Coast, this year’s wildland fires have driven home the reality that wildfires are a huge and growing threat. In response to this national crisis, in 2021 President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, which has just released its final report.
Putting the Action Back in CAPs: Best Practices for Updating Climate Action Plans to Align With Statewide Climate Goals
Climate Action Plans are critical to addressing climate change, but many are overdue for an update. With new comprehensive guidance from the California Air Resources Board, there’s no time like the present.
Based on Recently Passed SB 54, Local Governments May Consider Banning Certain Single-Use Foodware Items Before Year’s End
The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act may encourage local governments to ban certain single-use packaging and plastic food service ware materials before January 2024 to avoid its collection requirement.
Job Announcement: Associate Attorney, Renewable Energy Practice
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP is seeking to hire an Associate Attorney to support its renewable energy practice. The firm is located in San Francisco, although candidates wishing to work remotely full-time from other locations will be considered.
Twelve SMW Attorneys Recognized as Leaders in Environmental Law
This year’s Lawdragon News list of the “Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law” includes 12 Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger attorneys. They were selected through nominations, journalistic reporting, and vetting by a board of peers. Kevin P. Bundy, Ellison Folk, Tamara S. Galanter, Ellen J. Garber, Winter King, Robert “Perl” Perlmutter, Gabriel M. B. Ross, Andrew […]
Sara Clark Leads Panel Discussion at Yosemite Environmental Law Conference About Beneficial Fire
At the fall 2022 Environmental Law Conference, SMW partner Sara Clark moderated a panel titled “Restoring Beneficial Fire in California.” The conference, sponsored by the California Lawyers Association, is held every year at Yosemite National Park. Panel participants Lenya Quinn-Davidson, Craig Thomas, and Don Hankins discussed the history of fire exclusion in California and the […]
Land Trust Best Practices Presented at National Conference
At the Land Trust Alliance’s annual national conference in New Orleans, SMW firm members Sarah Sigman and Tamara Galanter shared their expertise with land trusts and others in the conservation community. Sarah presented on best practices for preparing the baseline reports that document the condition of the conservation property at the time the landowner enters […]
LA Times Op-Ed: Why Forest Managers Need to Team Up with Indigenous Fire Practitioners
SMW attorney Sara A. Clark co-authored an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times calling for increased support for beneficial fires, especially in partnership with Indigenous fire practitioners, and for an update to our national approach to wildfire management. The partnership between cultural fire practitioners and western scientists, which Clark is facilitating, calls for change […]