DOT Archives - Legal Planet

DOT

Deregulatory Theater of the Absurd

Black-and-white drawing of people walking on a series of interconnected staircases that defy gravity and perspective, forming an impossible architectural structure with people walking in different directions.

The new CAFE standards are a master class in pretending you’re implementing a law while totally sabotaging it.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently issued CAFE standards — fuel efficiency standards for new cars. Rolling back more rigorous standards from Biden, DOT applied considerable ingenuity to ensuring that fuel efficiency will stagnate for the foreseeable future. Like an Escher drawing, you have to step back from all the intricate details to appreciate just how weird the overall design is.

Oil By Rail: Nine Things California Can Do to Increase Safety

While FRA Considers New Federal Regulations, States Can Ramp Up Prevention and Emergency Response

At a joint Senate and Assembly hearing last week on oil by rail safety in California, some lawmakers expressed frustration at slow federal action, and asked what California can do to increase public safety. My testimony focused on federal preemption issues, defining areas where the state can regulate, and those where it is preempted by …

Continue reading “Oil By Rail: Nine Things California Can Do to Increase Safety”

HUD and DOT, sitting in a tree…

The two federal agencies that should go together like peas and carrots are finally making moves. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a new joint task force to identify strategies to link affordable housing with transportation and to create sustainable communities. The task force will …

Continue reading “HUD and DOT, sitting in a tree…”

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Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.

The Drain is a roundup of climate and environmental news from Legal Planet delivered to your Inbox once a week.

A quick overview of the Senate permitting reform bill

Senate bill has major changes for NEPA, some changes for Clean Water Act

Improving permitting reform

Suggestions to make the permitting reform bill work better and avoid unintended results

NEPA Remedies Revisited

Guest contributor Justin Pidot writes that the permitting bill known as BAAJA would end judicial review of most NEPA claims — but it sure is hard to figure that out.

A Major Problem with “Permit Certainty”

The permit certainty provision in the permitting reform bill appears to (inadvertently) change the basic standard for enforcement of most federal law

These 3 Numbers Explain Earth System Interventions in 2026

Concerns about passing 1.5C and ‘global dimming’ are driving attention to the prospect of large-scale interventions in Earth systems.

Our Information Ecosystem is Toxic. But We Can Clean It Up

The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.

Unpacking the Senate Permitting Reform Bill: NEPA

NEPA provisions are substantial in their changes, but (mostly) leave the core of the Act in place

Opening Shots in a War on Doctors

What began as a war on science has now reached your kid’s doctor.

The Other Big Environmental Case at the Supreme Court

Guest contributor Clifford Villa writes that Dept. of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan, which will be argued Wednesday, raises profound questions for democracy and environmental justice.

The Arguments We Did and Didn’t Hear in Suncor v. Boulder

Oral arguments in the climate case before the Supreme Court gave hints to possible outcomes. But one of Boulder’s strong answers to the “tort suits are regulation” objection went unmade.

DOT

The new CAFE standards are a master class in pretending you’re implementing a law while totally sabotaging it.

While FRA Considers New Federal Regulations, States Can Ramp Up Prevention and Emergency Response

Join Our Mailing List

Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.

The Drain is a roundup of climate and environmental news from Legal Planet delivered to your Inbox once a week.

TRENDING

Suggestions to make the permitting reform bill work better and avoid unintended results

Guest contributor Justin Pidot writes that the permitting bill known as BAAJA would end judicial review of most NEPA claims — but it sure is hard to figure that out.

The permit certainty provision in the permitting reform bill appears to (inadvertently) change the basic standard for enforcement of most federal law

Concerns about passing 1.5C and ‘global dimming’ are driving attention to the prospect of large-scale interventions in Earth systems.

The Trump Administration once again proves shortsighted and spiteful.

Part of it is a move in the right direction. But one provision raises serious questions.

Bill attempts to draw on discrimination law to address disparate treatment for permits, but provision has problems

The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.

Permit certainty provisions are problematic and unclear in their scope

Changes to the Endangered Species Act are limited in scope

Senate bill has major changes for NEPA, some changes for Clean Water Act

Suggestions to make the permitting reform bill work better and avoid unintended results

Guest contributor Justin Pidot writes that the permitting bill known as BAAJA would end judicial review of most NEPA claims — but it sure is hard to figure that out.

The permit certainty provision in the permitting reform bill appears to (inadvertently) change the basic standard for enforcement of most federal law

Concerns about passing 1.5C and ‘global dimming’ are driving attention to the prospect of large-scale interventions in Earth systems.

The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.

NEPA provisions are substantial in their changes, but (mostly) leave the core of the Act in place

What began as a war on science has now reached your kid’s doctor.

Guest contributor Clifford Villa writes that Dept. of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan, which will be argued Wednesday, raises profound questions for democracy and environmental justice.

Oral arguments in the climate case before the Supreme Court gave hints to possible outcomes. But one of Boulder’s strong answers to the “tort suits are regulation” objection went unmade.