At SCOTUSBlog, Lyle Denniston characterizes the oral argument in Sackett v. EPA as “A Weak Defense of EPA.” Perhaps that’s because the EPA’s position, applied in this case, is difficult to square with traditional notions of due process. Denniston highlights one passage of the oral argument (transcript) that highlighted the nature of the government’s position: JUSTICE ALITO: Mr. Stewart,Continue reading “Sackett Oral Argument”
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Sackett v. EPA
Today the Supreme Court hears oral argument in Sackett v. EPA, a challenge to the federal government’s claim that landowners (and other regulated entities) may not obtain pre-enforcement review of an administrative compliance order under the Clean Water Act. I previewed the case before. Here is how the WSJ reports on the case this morning: Based on “any information”—even a newspaper articleContinue reading “Sackett v. EPA”
The Case for Economics and the Environment
Don’t miss Gernot Wagner’s latest piece in the Washington Post. Wagner teaches at Columbia, is the author of But Will the Planet Notice? How Smart Economics Can Save the World, and is an economist at the Environmental Defense Fund. Wagner points out that it has become acceptable to say that markets don’t work, just lookContinue reading “The Case for Economics and the Environment”
Electrifying Pachyderms
Protecting the Aberdares ecosystem required keeping the local people from poaching the wildlife, grazing it with livestock, and cutting the indigenous trees for firewood. A 24-mile electric fence enclosing 850 square miles (one-quarter the size of Yellowstone National Park) could accomplish this task, but only if the locals saw a direct benefit from it. ByContinue reading “Electrifying Pachyderms”
Urbanization for Population and the Planet
National Geographic recently launched its “Seven Billion Special Series“–a year-long series on global population. I hesitantly read the first article expecting more of the same old gloom and doom but “The City Solution” offers a refreshing take on why economists and environmentalists can embrace cities. With Earth’s population headed toward nine or ten billion, denseContinue reading “Urbanization for Population and the Planet”
Bison: Public to Private
Nearly 70 bison will soon find their way from Yellowstone National Park to a couple of Montana Indian reservations. The transfer is the outcome of negotiations between the state Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission and tribal officials. The tribes have long wanted the majestic beasts to return to their native ground. The long battle for relocation resultsContinue reading “Bison: Public to Private”
What To Do With That Christmas Tree?
Once the holidays are over and the glitter and glam is stripped from the fir, chances are the Christmas tree ends up in the trash. Perhaps the trees could be useful even after they lose their glow. Why not turn them into woody biomass for energy? A few companies, such Biomass One, are doing justContinue reading “What To Do With That Christmas Tree?”
Vermont schools the nation in woody biomass heating
Discussions of renewable energy typically focus on technologies such as solar panels, wind power, and geothermal. In one state, however, a different conversation is taking shape—one that is focusing on refining an age-old source of renewable energy: wood.
PERC Enviropreneur applies market-based strategies to restoring coral reefs
Brett Howell, a former PERC Enviropreneur, is exploring how to apply market-based approaches to making coral reef restoration financially sustainable.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
‘Tis The Season When PERC opened its doors in 1980, free market environmentalism (FME) was considered an oxymoron; environmentalists saw markets as an enemy, not an ally. Now, thanks to PERC, the largest and oldest think-tank focusing on market solutions to environmental problems, FME is being tried and tested around the world. In Africa,Continue reading “Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!”