News & Updates

Seattle Youths Head Back to King County Courthouse for Hearing on Landmark Climate Change Lawsuit (Media Advisory 4/26/16)

Apr 26, 2016

Location:SeattleWHAT: Judge Hollis Hill will hear another round of oral arguments in the important case brought by seven young Washingtonians to address the Washington Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) persistent refusal to implement science-based carbon pollution...

As Coal Collapses, Groups Appeal 25-year Extension of Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Mine (News Release 4/20/16)

Apr 20, 2016

Suit Seeks Renewable Energy Transition AlternativesLocation:PhoenixAmid crumbling coal economics and surging renewable energy growth, Navajo, regional and national conservation groups filed suit today in Arizona’s federal district court challenging the U.S....

Court to Hear Arguments on the Legality of Water Rights to Operate Enloe Dam (News Advisory 4/19/16)

Apr 19, 2016

Location:SeattleWhen: Wednesday, April 20 at 9:30amWhere: Seattle – Washington State Court of Appeals, District 1; One Union Square, 600 University St.What: Oral argument in a challenge to the Washington State Department of Ecology for issuing water rights that would...

New report details path to improve Puget Sound water quality–and recover wild salmon populations (News Release 4/7/16)

Apr 7, 2016

Shift from voluntary industrial agriculture pollution programs essentialLocation:SeattleThe Western Environmental Law Center announces a new report, Agricultural Pollution in Puget Sound: Inspiration to Change Washington's Reliance on Voluntary Incentive Programs to...

In Wake of WA Climate Rule Withdrawal, Youth Petitioners Return to Court (Press Release 4/6/16)

Apr 6, 2016

Ordered to Act With Urgency, Ecology Responds With More DelaysLocation:SeattleLate yesterday, the youth petitioners in a precedent-setting case over climate disruption in Washington state asked the court to step in yet again after the state Department of Ecology...

Judge Rules Feds Improperly Refused to Protect Wolverines (Press Release 4/4/16)

Apr 4, 2016

Orders Reconsideration of Safeguards for Species Imperiled by Climate ChangeLocation:MissoulaToday, the federal district court for Montana rejected a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to deny protections for wolverines in the contiguous U.S. The...

BLM Defers Fracking Around New Mexico’s Sacred Chaco Canyon for Third Time (Press Release 3/22/16)

Mar 22, 2016

Rampant Drilling in the San Juan Basin Continues to Threaten Public Health, the Climate, Clean Air and Water Location:Santa FeUPDATE: BLM has admitted an internal mix-up on this issue. The leases are not yet deferred, and we can expect a news release from the agency...

Court Rejects Water Pollution Permit for Rosebud Coal Mine (Press Release 3/18/16)

Mar 18, 2016

Location:HelenaYesterday the Montana First Judicial District Court ruled in favor of water quality and reinforced the state of Montana’s obligation to protect waterways from pollution caused by coal mining. The court rejected a water pollution discharge permit that...

Citizen Groups Challenge Plans to Green Light Huge Fossil Fuel Development in Powder River Basin (Press Release 3/15/16)

Mar 15, 2016

BLM Plans Span 10 Million Acres, 81 Billion Tons of CoalLocation:Great FallsA plan to keep open vast amounts of public land in Montana and Wyoming for fossil fuel development and drilling is short-sighted and fails to consider dramatic changes in energy markets...

Canada climate deal will multiply effects of existing U.S. plans to curb methane (Press Release 3/10/16)

Mar 10, 2016

Reductions will protect health, landscapes, rural communities, and taxpayersToday's announcement of a climate pact between the U.S. and Canada is great news for public health, landscape health, rural communities, the climate, and more. With Canada's agreement to...