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:

How FERC Is Addressing Record-Setting Growth in Data Center Development 

Consider writing about:

Actions taken by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving data centers; FERC’s role and authority over data centers and associated energy issues; jurisdictional issues worth noting; relevant FERC rules or other significant recent actions by the commission regarding data centers; related requirements or other challenges facing energy providers as they pertain to the explosion of planned or completed data center projects.

Related information:

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/data-centers-faster-path-power-160300174.html

Trump Termination of Environmental Justice Grant Program Found to Be Unlawful 

Consider writing about:

A federal judge’s recent finding that a decision by the Trump administration to terminate an environmental justice grant program was “arbitrary and capricious and unlawful;” what the ruling means for the current status and potential future of that grant program; whether other environmental justice projects have been delayed or extinguished as a result of actions by the second Trump administration; status of any other pending lawsuits over the administration’s treatment of such projects; any potential for alternative financing sources for these types of projects.

Related information:

https://www.postandcourier.com/rising-waters/epa-grant-termination-sustainability-institute/article_69940de2-863d-4027-9e02-6eba395bf24f.html

Is Interest in Geothermal Energy Heating Up? 

Consider writing about:

Trends (in the jurisdiction of your choice) involving geothermal energy; noteworthy developments involving any of the following points: government funding, legislative activity, private financing, research and innovation, or project launch; how geothermal activity is trending in terms of adoption and scaling, whether in and of itself, or in comparison to other green forms of energy production; developments driving its uptake; predictions for the geothermal energy sector for the near and long term.

Should Fossil Fuel Companies Give the Arctic the Cold Shoulder? 

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Trends involving the energy industry and Alaska’s Arctic region; current, historical, or projected energy operations in that area; Trump administration efforts to promote drilling in the Arctic; key obstacles that could discourage companies from renewing or embarking on energy explorations in that area; related questions regarding whether the Trump administration is out of touch with industry challenges or preferences.

Related information:

https://www.newsminer.com/news/wire/limited-interest-in-latest-oil-and-gas-lease-sale-for-alaskas-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge/article_120793fe-de9f-4ba8-9776-30ea7d87471a.html

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2026/06/05/oil-companies-continue-to-show-little-interest-in-arctic-refuge-drilling

Wildfire Risks and Liabilities for Utility Companies 

Consider writing about:

Recent or otherwise noteworthy developments involving utility companies’ potential liability for damage to local communities caused by large wildfires; outcomes of settled lawsuits; any emerging or heightened trends seen across such cases; how utilities’ wildfire-related liability risks may differ from one jurisdiction to another; how utilities can best prepare for wildfire risks and related liability on their part; what other private or public decisionmakers are doing about the perhaps increasing risk of large wildfires; what responsibility property owners themselves may bear for preventing the spread of wildfires, and whether that role is evolving, either as a matter of more widespread personal preferences and appetite for risk, or as a result of outright mandates by local governments.

Coal Gets Another Big Boost From Trump Administration 

Consider writing about:

Plans recently announced by the Trump administration aimed at boosting coal plant production; what to know about a recent Energy Department announcement and other administration initiatives involving the use of coal as an energy source; potential for legal challenges to these plans; rationale for the Trump administration’s continuing emphasis on coal, and how this administration’s focus on coal compares to the energy policies of other governments (whether on the local or international scene).

Related information:

https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-invest-350-million-build-modernize-and-restart-coal-plants

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5910696-trump-coal-power-dpa

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-announces-850m-modernize-coal-capacity-build-new-plants/822109

Which Way is the Wind Blowing for Climate Risk Disclosures? 

Consider writing about:

Requirements involving businesses’ disclosure of climate-related risks; the status of any lawsuits challenging those disclosure requirements; where these types of requirements are stalling in the courts, or being deliberately abandoned or rolled back by decision-making entities; where disclosure requirements are either persisting or emerging; how companies doing business in multiple jurisdictions can best manage a variety of risk disclosure mandates.

BP Chairman Ousted Amid Reported Concerns Over Governance, Conduct 

Consider writing about:

Oil giant BP’s ouster of its chairman over factors involving “important governance standards, oversight and conduct;” what to know about significant internal and external changes impacting BP over recent months; what a board’s duties are as regards company leadership; steps to consider when compelling a leadership change; how to minimize fallout from such a move.

Related information:

https://apnews.com/article/bp-manifold-chairman-a0cf407215f1eb1f7b6051ddb298d94c

Vermont Notches a First With Ban on Paraquat Over Health Concerns 

Consider writing about:

Vermont’s groundbreaking ban on the pesticide paraquat; reasons for the state ban; when the ban will be phased in; whom the ban mainly affects; how it will be implemented and enforced; whether other states are considering similar bans or restrictions; and perhaps a look at any noteworthy litigation involving alleged health impacts of exposure to paraquat or similar products.

Related information:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/26/vermont-paraquat-weedkiller-ban

Energy, Environmental Concerns for Tribal Communities Under Second Trump Administration 

Consider writing about:

How environmental or energy-related legal disputes involving tribal communities are evolving under the second Trump administration; government agency actions, lawsuits, court actions, or other developments of note; recurring sources of conflict, novel arguments, or emerging issues that tribal communities, the energy industry, or other interested parties should know about; how the outcomes compare to those seen under the first Trump administration.

EPA Adds Microplastics and Pharmaceuticals to Proposed Drinking Water Contaminants List 

Consider writing about:

The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to include microplastics and pharmaceuticals for the first time on a draft of a periodically updated list of contaminants mandated under the Safe Drinking Water Act; what to know about the Act’s history and mandate; what items’ inclusion on the contaminants list could mean for related industries and their obligations; current status of the latest draft list; process for revising, approving, implementing, and enforcing the contaminants list.

Related information:

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/02/nx-s1-5771155/epa-microplastics-pharmaceuticals-drinking-water

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? 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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? 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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 

Consider writing about:

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