This week:

–Kern County wildfires: Recent wildfires in Kern County caused major evacuations and extensive damage, highlighting the urgent need for climate action as extreme heat and dry conditions fuel more frequent and severe fires.

–Climate regulation landscape: The SEC’s new climate-risk disclosure rule aims to standardize ESG reporting despite legal challenges. Companies must proactively address regulations and prepare for complex reporting, including Scope 3 emissions.

– Federal rule to protect workers from extreme heat: President Biden announced a rule to protect 36 million outdoor and partially indoor workers. The rule requires employers to implement Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plans with measures like water provision, rest breaks, and shaded areas. Implementation faces delays and legal challenges, especially in Texas and Florida.

–Impact of Hurricane Beryl: Hurricane Beryl, which hit Texas as a Category 1 storm after devastating Jamaica and Mexico, set records for rapid intensification and highlighted climate risks– underscoring the need for businesses to invest in resilience and prepare for disruptions from extreme weather events.

This week, our team breaks down the Supreme Court’s decision that redefined how federal agencies interpret environmental laws, emphasizing Chevron’s deference.

This legal principle, which requires courts to defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes, has sparked debates over regulatory stability and clarity, particularly in light of challenges like Ohio v EPA. The decision underscores ongoing tensions between judicial oversight and agency expertise in shaping future environmental regulations.