Phil Sandick

Subscribe to all posts by Phil Sandick

Colorado’s Class VI Primacy and the Colorado–Wyoming MOU: Streamlined and Coordinated Permitting May Benefit Carbon Capture and Storage Projects

The Rocky Mountain West is quietly becoming the most organized regulatory environment in the country for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. Two developments this spring deserve close attention: 1) The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rulemaking granting Class VI underground injection control (UIC) well primacy to the State of Colorado, and 2) An interstate … Continue Reading

Environmental Permitting for AI Data Centers: Federal Acceleration, Federal Lands, and State Resistance

The environmental permitting landscape for data centers is shifting rapidly, with federal and state regulators often pulling in opposite directions. The Trump Administration has moved to accelerate federal environmental review and to open federal lands for data center siting. States and localities have responded by tightening scrutiny of the energy, water, and land use impacts … Continue Reading

The Packaging EPR Lawsuit You’re Not Watching—But Should Be

If you follow extended producer responsibility (EPR) litigation, your inbox has been full of updates about Oregon.  For good reason: the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) filed suit in federal court in July 2025 challenging the constitutionality of Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, secured a preliminary injunction in February 2026, and has a trial date … Continue Reading

Emerging State-Level Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Frameworks

As the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolls back greenhouse gas (GHG) laws, rules, and regulations consistent with Trump Administration priorities, several states are advancing legislation to create their own GHG emissions reporting frameworks. While some of these initiatives generally mirror California’s climate disclosure requirements, this new state-led regulatory landscape is creating a state-by-state patchwork … Continue Reading

UPDATE: CARB Passes Initial Climate Disclosure Regulation under SB 253 and SB 261

At its February 26, 2026 meeting, the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) approved a key step in implementing California’s landmark climate disclosure laws. CARB adopted the long-awaited California Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Climate Related Financial Risk Disclosure Initial Regulation (“Initial Regulation”) implementing the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and the Climate-Related Financial … Continue Reading
LexBlog