Environmental Groups Notch Two Wins

The Daily Journal newspaper reported that environmental groups scored two victories in decisions by the San Francisco Superior Court and the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The first decision by Judge Ernest Goldsmith would force the California Air Resources Board to do more studies on how to implement AB 32, which would reduce California emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The 9th Circuit ruled that the EPA had erred by not ordering California to update the air quality plan for the South Coast Air Basin.

“It’s likely that decision will have a more substantive impact than the climate change one,” said Cox Castle & Nicholson land use partner Michael Zischke, referring to the 9th Circuit’s ruling.