Environment & Energy Trending Topics

To help with your writing efforts, here’s what people are looking for in Environmental & Energy Law online. Trending topics culled from JD Supra, search analytics, social media conversations, and other sources:

What Does the Future Hold for Hydraulic Fracturing in Mexico? 

Consider writing about:

Potential changes on the horizon for the use of hydraulic fracturing in Mexico; what the current state of fracking activity is in Mexico, and how it has trended over the years; what to know about Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s recently announced proposal to expand fracking and how the shift would fit with the Mexican government’s overall energy policy; factors driving the shift in policy; environmental concerns that are being raised (or have been raised in the past) regarding fracking’s impacts, whether in Mexico, or in Latin America as a whole, or globally; how hydraulic fracturing is regulated in Mexico; what else private companies should know about hydraulic fracturing’s likely future in Mexico, and related business opportunities or other considerations.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/mexicos-sheinbaum-backtracks-fracking-opposition-says-new-methods-are-cleaner-2026-04-09

Maryland Justices Dismiss Climate Change Suits Against Fossil Fuel Companies 

Consider writing about:

A recent Maryland Supreme Court ruling in three localities’ climate change lawsuits against fossil fuel companies; key claims in the lawsuits; basis for the justices’ dismissal of the lawsuits; potential prospects for a new round of litigation against the companies; how other jurisdictions’ climate change lawsuits against energy companies are performing.

What Are the Facts About California ‘Truth in Recycling’ Law? 

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A California measure known as the Truth in Recycling or Truth in Labeling law; what to know about the law’s origins, key objectives, and effective date; compliance obligations and potential violation penalties under the Truth in Recycling law that businesses should be paying attention to; how the California law compares to other states’ recycling-related labeling laws; potential grounds for legal challenges to these types of laws.

EU Sustainability Developments Companies Should Be Heeding 

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European Union developments involving corporate sustainability; key legislation or proposals to know about; related amendments that have recently come into effect; how corporate obligations may be changing as a result of the amendments; what else comopanies should know about their reporting requirements and other key sustainability compliance duties under EU laws.

‘God Squad’ Grants Exemptions Under Endangered Species Act: What to Know 

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A recent vote by members of the so-called “God Squad” to exempt oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico from certain environmental restrictions; what to know about the God Squad and its history, role, and powers; related steps involved in implementing a given vote by this body; applicable restrictions in this instance involving the Endangered Species Act; basis for granting the ESA-related exemption; how rare it is for exemptions to be implemented under this Act; related trends involving the Endangered Species Act under the two Trump administrations.

Related information:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cre19zrg5dxo

PFAS, PFAS, and More PFAS 

Consider writing about:

The latest significant developments involving PFAS, whether congressional legislation, labeling requirements, RICO lawsuits, or other actions or trends of note. The PFAS landscape seems to be roiling with an ever-increasing number of new developments that the business community should know about. What are the primary liability risk areas right now, or the emerging risks (whether generally speaking for the business community, or pertaining to a certain industry, product, practice, or region)? How can companies best defend themselves in this environment?

Trump Administration Ordered to Restore $14M in Grants to Environmental Groups 

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An Oregon federal judge’s ruling in a dispute over the U.S. Department of the Interior’s cancellation of $14 million in grants to be used for conservation work; the Interior Department’s rationale for canceling the grants; key points in Chief Judge Michael McShane’s ruling; whether similar lawsuits over the cancellation of other environment-related grants have been settled, or are still working their way through the courts.

Takeaways From Coal Company VP’s Conviction in FCPA Case 

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The conviction of a former coal company vice president in a foreign bribery scheme; what stands out to you about this case; any related trends involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the energy sector, or involving FCPA-related risks on the part of U.S. companies doing business in or with Egypt; what to know about Egypt’s ties to the U.S. energy sector.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-coal-company-executive-convicted-international-bribery-and-money-laundering-scheme

Will Consumer Lawsuit Sink Target Corp.’s ‘Sustainably Caught’ Tuna Claims? 

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A proposed class action filed in California federal court this month against Target Corp. over “sustainably caught” claims that the retailer makes about its Good & Gather tuna products; what this case may demonstrate regarding best practices or potential perils in marketing products as being “sustainable;” what qualifies a product to be described as such; potential alternative phrasings to consider; related business or legal trends involving companies’ environmental claims, and how best to navigate possibly choppy waters.

Iran Conflict Raises New Concerns for Energy Sector 

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Key legal issues and potential liability risks facing the energy sector as a result of the U.S. attack on Iran; examination of related issues involving any of the following matters: supply chains, contractual obligations, exclusions, limitations, worker safety, payroll obligations, risk management, and more; what the energy industry has learned from past international crises and related disruptions to global supply chains and international relationships; how the Iran situation compares to prior periods of unrest, vis a vis the energy industry and its core operations and needs.

Related information:

https://apnews.com/article/oil-gas-infrastructure-iran-war-persian-gulf-24c4b439d2c6a5b571fea90e4d1227d8

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5777123-exxon-evacuation-middle-east

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/10/oil-hormuz-iran-tanker-wright-00821041

Australian Energy Company Beats Back Greenwashing Suit 

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The Federal Court of Australia’s recent dismissal of a lawsuit against energy company Santos Ltd.; what to know about the lawsuit over the oil and gas producer’s climate-related statements; key points in the Federal Court’s ruling; significance of the Santos case and how it compares to greenwashing cases against other energy companies (either in Australia or elsewhere); practical implications for other companies and their public commitments and other statements regarding climate-related goals and actions.

Microplastics: Legal Trends and Related Takeaways 

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Recent or otherwise noteworthy developments involving microplastics. Take your pick of potential issues to explore, ranging from scientific studies to federal or state legislation to international regulatory efforts, consumer lawsuits, federal enforcement actions, state attorney general initiatives, and beyond. What are the key liability risks right now for manufacturers, retailers, and other companies? Are familiar risk areas accelerating or changing in other ways? How are legal battles faring over microplastics’ alleged harms to the environment, consumers, or the general public, and what practical takeaways may be gleaned from those?

Related information:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/13/microplastics-human-body-doubt

Fossil Fuel Companies Face Antitrust Claims 

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An antitrust lawsuit filed by Michigan’s attorney general against major fossil fuel companies and an industry trade group; key points from AG Dana Nessel’s claims; whether Michigan’s action marks an unusual strategy, or whether it’s part of a trend in lawsuits against the fossil fuel industry; primary challenges the Michigan suit or other antitrust lawsuits of this type are likely to face.

Related information:

https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2026/01/23/michigan-attorney-general-dana-nessel-lawsuit-conspiracy-oil-companies/88298387007

Energy Company Fined $100M for Clean Air Act Violations 

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A $100 million fine levied against Detroit-based energy company DTE and its subsidiaries; basis for a monetary penalty of this magnitude; what to know about the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review program; what the DTE case illustrates regarding compliance obligations and potential liability risks under the Clean Air Act; related enforcement trends involving permitting processes and the Clean Air Act.

Related information:

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/dte-energy-to-pay-100-million-clean-air-act-violation

Pesticide-Related Liability Issues and Related Developments 

Consider writing about:

That latest developments of note involving pesticides. Among the possible topics to choose from (or to tie together in one article): a proposed multibillion-dollar settlement by Bayer over the weed killer Roundup; a recent Executive Order on glyphosate production, the rationale for the order, and what it means for glyphosate manufacturers; whether the Defense Production Act provides a legally sound basis for the Executive Order, or whether it provides an opening for lawsuits; political blowback over the Executive Order, and what it could mean for the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement or the wider MAGA coalition and its support of the Trump administration; other federal or state actions regarding pesticide safety, including campaigns to shield pesticide manufacturers from liability; whether there are any meaningful efforts being made to reformulate pesticides, in the face of potential liability risks involving glyphosate. Also, how are pesticides classified and regulated, whether in the United States or in other countries, and how has regulators’ approach to pesticides evolved in recent years?

Related information:

https://apnews.com/article/bayer-monsanto-roundup-lawsuits-settlement-154ad7c6bdff3a91b06c4e327321160b

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/19/trump-executive-order-glyphosate-herbicides-roundup/88766972007

https://apnews.com/article/maha-glyphosate-rfk-kennedy-trump-pesticides-3d23d4771dba743a976543ca6cfa69d9

EPA to Quash Landmark Finding on Climate Change 

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The Trump administration’s plan to repeal as of this week an Obama-era action known as the “endangerment finding;” how that 2009 finding shaped environmental policy over the years; key regulations that would be weakened or neutered under the current Environmental Protection Agency’s action; how dramatic a change this rollback represents; potential grounds for legal challenges in response to the rollback.

Related information:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/10/trump-to-repeal-finding-that-greenhouse-gases-threaten-public-health/88611202007

ESG Trends Businesses Should Be Following 

Consider writing about:

How ESG-related pressures on the business community are evolving (in the jurisdiction of your choice, or globally); where pressures are either easing or accelerating; factors driving changes in rulemaking or in implemented policies; any noteworthy throughlines among the changes by regulators or other authorities; how businesses can best assess their ESG practices and potentially reduce their exposure to risk.

Injunction Deals Blow to Oregon EPR Law 

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A Feb. 6 ruling in an industry challenge to Oregon’s extended producer responsibility program; basis for the challenge to the state law; what the court’s action means for parties to this case, and, more broadly speaking, for the larger business community’s environmental obligations; next steps in the Oregon dispute, and what interested parties should be watching for; how EPR programs in other states are faring, and whether they are facing similar legal challenges.

Related information:

https://www.packagingdive.com/news/national-association-wholesalers-secures-preliminary-injunction-oregon-packaging-epr-law/811677

What’s Hot on the Fusion Front These Days? 

Consider writing about:

Noteworthy developments (either globally, or in a specific jurisdiction of your choice) involving fusion energy. Among the possible points to explore: how decision makers in various sectors currently view fusion energy’s potential and its role in helping to meet surging energy demands; who is making the most significant strides regarding the ultimate realization of fusion energy’s capabilities; key challenges that exist for fusion energy at this juncture; investment trends fueling fusion energy work; any significant actions by government agencies regarding nuclear fusion; potential conflicts of interest involving President Trump’s business interests.

Related information:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/22/business/trump-stock-fusion

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/01/27/eu-lawmakers-back-declaration-urging-the-bloc-to-lead-in-commercial-fusion-energy

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/nuclear-energy/chinas-artificial-sun-reactor-shatters-major-fusion-limit-a-step-closer-to-near-limitless-clean-energy

Trends or Other Takeaways From M&A Activity in the Energy Sector 

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Completed or proposed mergers and acquisitions of note in the energy sector; key issues driving M&A activity in that industry; what to know about the current regulatory and enforcement landscape (in the country or region of your choice) for these types of mergers or acquisitions, either in and of itself, or in comparison to previous years or administrations; additional guidance on due diligence, risk management, and interactions with regulators in connection with M&A plans.

Are Judges Taking the Wind out of Trump Administration’s Sails? 

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The latest developments involving the Trump administration’s attempts to thwart wind energy projects; court rulings or other actions of note; what the latest developments mean for the current status and future completion of contested wind projects; present-day challenges for the wind industry as a whole, whether due to Trump administration energy policies, tariffs, international trade, or other factors that may be affecting investments, construction plans, contracts, or other elements crucial to launching or maintaining fundamental operations.

Related information:

https://www.nhregister.com/news/politics/article/judge-rules-massachusetts-offshore-wind-project-21318547.php

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/12/orsted-rhode-island-wind-project-trump

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/21/nx-s1-5678635/trump-offshore-wind-national-security-climate-change

Venezuela at a Crossroads: Key Issues for Energy Industry 

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What U.S. involvement in Venezuela could mean for energy production in that country, for U.S.-based oil companies, and for the energy sector overall; environmental regulations or policies that would apply to activities inside Venezuela; key challenges that currently exist, or are likely to arise, for any oil companies (or other decisionmakers) who may be eyeing Venezuela’s energy reserves; what energy companies may realistically be able to do to reduce operational or legal risk stemming from a Venezuelan venture.

Related information:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c205dx61x76o

Environmental and Energy Highlights of 2025: Your Call 

Consider writing about:

Your choice of three or more noteworthy developments or trends in the energy or environmental arena from the past year. Take your pick of lawsuits, rulings, regulatory actions, legislation, or other developments, either nationally or in the region of your choice, with added information, as you see fit, regarding compliance obligations, liability risks, best practices, or other potential implications in the near or longer term, whether for a specific industry or more generally speaking.

Mercedes Reaches Multistate Settlement Over Emissions Standards 

Consider writing about:

Mercedes-Benz’ agreement to pay almost $150 million to settle allegations involving local and national emissions standards; what to know about the company’s alleged wrongdoing; what to know about the prevalence of this type of activity within the automotive industry; what the Mercedes-Benz case may illustrate regarding enforcement actions by, and priorities of, state attorneys general and potential state-level liability risks that companies may face over their environmental records.

Related information:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mercedes-benz-agrees-pay-settle-multistate-emissions-allegations-rcna250600

https://oag.dc.gov/release/attorney-general-schwalb-announces-nearly-150

What WOTUS Changes is the Trump Administration Floating Now? 

Consider writing about:

A proposed rule intended to revise the definition of “waters of the United States;” what to know about WOTUS and its history; intent of the latest Trump administration action on this front; key changes that the revised WOTUS definition could usher in; potential impacts on the environment, private industry, landowners, and others; likelihood of legal challenges to the proposed rule.

Related information:

https://www.epa.gov/wotus/updated-definition-waters-united-states

Executive Order Blocking Wind Energy Permits Found to Be Unlawful 

Consider writing about:

A Massachusetts federal judge’s December ruling regarding an Executive Order that froze new permits for wind energy projects; basis for the judge’s finding that the Executive Order was unlawful; what the ruling means for stalled or potential wind energy projects; overview of the state of wind energy in the United States right now; how the wind energy industry is coping with policy changes being rolled out, or attempted, by the second Trump administration.

Related information:

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/11/wind-energy-permit-freeze-unlawful-judge-rules

Monsanto Agrees to Two Multimillion-Dollar Settlements Over PCBs 

Consider writing about:

Settlement agreements that Monsanto recently announced with Illinois and West Virginia over PCB production and alleged contamination; other noteworthy claims that Monsanto is facing over alleged PCB contamination and related health claims; what to know about the history of PCBs in the United States; how litigation over PCBs has evolved over the years.

Related information:

https://www.bayer.com/en/litigation-statement/settlement-west-virginia-and-illinois

https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-announces-120-million-settlement-with-monsanto-over-toxic-chemical-production-and-contamination-12-1-25

https://ago.wv.gov/article/attorney-general-mccuskey-announces-pcb-contamination-settlement-monsanto-605-million

https://www.compassvermont.com/p/vermont-supreme-court-ruling-opens

Lowe’s Faces $12M Penalty Over Compliance With EPA’s Lead Paint Rule 

Consider writing about:

A $12.5 million penalty that Lowe’s Home Centers is poised to pay as a result of the company’s alleged failure to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s rules on lead paint exposure; company practices that led to regulators’ investigation and the subsequently proposed settlement; what this case may illustrate regarding third-party risk, oversight obligations, and compliance risks; what else to know about the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule and any other noteworthy enforcement actions or other recent developments involving that rule.

Related information:

https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/lowes-home-centers-llc-rrp-2025-settlement-summary

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/lowes-home-centers-pay-125m-penalty-lead-paint-violations-during-home-renovations

JBS Reaches $1M Settlement Over ‘Net Zero’ Claims 

Consider writing about:

A $1.1 million settlement that JBS USA Food Co. recently reached with the state of New York over the parent company’s “net zero” marketing claims; what to know about the settlement terms; what monitoring by a state attorney general can entail; related trends (on the state or national level) involving companies’ alleged greenwashing behavior and associated liability risks.

Related information:

https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2025/attorney-general-james-secures-11-million-climate-smart-agriculture-worlds

Fossil Fuel Companies Sued Over Climate Change Impacts on Insurance 

Consider writing about:

A lawsuit filed last month over fossil fuel companies’ practices and their impact on climate change and homeowners’ insurance rates; key claims in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington; what to make of the racketeering claim in particular; potential challenges ahead for this litigation; whether similar lawsuits have been launched over the fossil fuel industry’s impacts on insurance costs (and if so, how those lawsuits have performed).