New York State Bar Association Environmental and Energy Law Section

?? Join Us for the Sixth Annual Earth Day Climate Change Symposium! ?? Where are we now—and where are we going—in the fight against climate change? This year's symposium will explore: ? The latest federal and state laws and regulations addressing climate change. ? The corporate perspective on ESG requirements, emerging trends, and investment risks linked to climate change. Gain insights from leading experts and engage in critical discussions shaping the future of environmental law and corporate responsibility. ??? Date: Tuesday, April 22 ?? Location: Webinar ?? Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gRBKEVT4 Free to NYSBA and non-NYSBA members Faculty: Carl Howard - Moderator Former Chair, NYSBA Environmental & Energy Law Section (EELS) Co-Chair, NYSBA EELS Global Climate Change Committee Author, Global Climate Change Blog Assistant Regional Counsel, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 New York, NY Michael Gerrard - Panelist Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice Founder and Faculty Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law? Columbia Law School? New York, NY Basil Seggos - Panelist Partner & Senior Policy Director Foley Hoag LLP Former Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation New York, NY Linda French - Panelist Global Head of Sustainability Policy & Regulation? JPMorgan Chase & Co.? Washington, DC Joseph Siegel - Panelist Adjunct Professor Interim Executive Director, Pace Energy and Climate Center? Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Former Senior Attorney and Co-Chair,? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Climate Change Workgroup? New York, NY Program Chair: Matthew J. Sinkman | Gibbons P.C. | New York, NY Be part of the conversation driving change. #EarthDay #ClimateChange #ESG #Sustainability #LegalCommunity

On March 12, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army announced a joint memorandum issuing guidance to field staff on implementation of “continuous surface connection” consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s May 25, 2023, decision in the case of?Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency.?The agencies also announced a?Federal Register?notice publicizing a?series of six listening sessions and a 30-day recommendations docket to solicit feedback on key aspects of the definition of “waters of the United States.” https://www.epa.gov/wotus #WOTUS #SCOTUS #WatersoftheUnitedStates #Wetlands #Environment #Environmental #EnvironmentalLaw #EnvironmentalPolicy

Please join?Sive, Paget & Riesel?and?Capital Environmental Consulting?for a free webinar, "2025 DEC Freshwater Wetlands Regulations: Updates for Municipalities and Practitioners," on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, at 2:00-3:00 PM EDT.?Register at: https://lnkd.in/e5rgX2eH This year brings major changes to the New York State freshwater wetlands regulations.?As a result of expanding state jurisdiction, many more projects will need wetland permits from the Department of Environmental Conservation.?Join environmental attorney?Adam Stolorow?of Sive, Paget & Riesel and professional wetland scientist Greg Fleischer of Capital Environmental Consulting as they break down what the changes mean for wetland permitting on the ground and demystify the permitting process.?Topics covered will include the revised process for determining state wetlands jurisdiction, differences between municipalities under the new rules, and DEC's proposed general permits. For any other questions about the webinar, or to submit a question in advance, please email [email protected].?Additionally, if you are interested but are unable to attend, please register and you will receive a link to the recording following the event.

Sponsorship Opportunity Available for upcoming Section Program - Emerging Issues in Environmental Insurance Join the NYSBA Environmental & Energy Law Section for an essential CLE program on the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in environmental insurance! This half-day event brings together top industry experts to discuss: ? State of the Marketplace – Key developments and emerging risks ? Carrier Perspectives – Evolving coverage issues and claim trends ? Practical Strategies – How to maximize coverage and minimize disputes ?? Date: Friday, March 28 ?? Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ?? Location: Latham & Watkins, 1271 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10020 | Virtual Participation ?? Earn Up to 4.0 MCLE Credits Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead in environmental law and insurance! Register today: https://lnkd.in/e5WBqCFx If your organizaiton would like to sponsor this program, please fill out the attached sponsorship form. Thank you to our sponsors! Gallagher SterlingRisk Great American Insurance Group Beazley

???? Protect Your Clients, Navigate Emerging Risks: Environmental Insurance CLE ???? Join the NYSBA Environmental & Energy Law Section for an essential CLE program on the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in environmental insurance! This half-day event brings together top industry experts to discuss: ? State of the Marketplace – Key developments and emerging risks ? Carrier Perspectives – Evolving coverage issues and claim trends ? Practical Strategies – How to maximize coverage and minimize disputes ?? Date: Friday, March 28 ?? Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ?? Location: Latham & Watkins, 1271 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10020 | Virtual Participation ?? Earn Up to 4.0 MCLE Credits Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead in environmental law and insurance! Register today: https://lnkd.in/e5WBqCFx Thank you to our Sponsor! Gallagher #EnvironmentalLaw #InsuranceLaw #CLE #RiskManagement #NYSBA

?? Hot Topics in Siting Renewable Energy Facilities in New York State ? The renewable energy landscape in New York is rapidly evolving—are you up to speed on the latest legal and regulatory developments? Join the Environmental & Energy Law Section on March 5 for a hybrid CLE program that dives into key siting issues, including: ? Permitting large-scale renewable projects ? Legal and financing risks ? The NYISO’s role in maintaining electricity reliability ?? Hear from industry experts, policymakers, and legal practitioners as they break down the critical challenges and opportunities shaping New York’s renewable energy future. Plus, earn 3.0 MCLE credits while expanding your expertise! ?? Register now: https://lnkd.in/gnUpA_Wc #RenewableEnergy #EnvironmentalLaw #EnergyLaw #Sustainability #NYSBA

NYSBA is proud to be the home of 28 specialty sections, each offering members a community of attorneys to help them succeed, leadership opportunities in their field, and networking with colleagues throughout New York and beyond. Join or rejoin now: https://lnkd.in/eRhHbhXi #NYSBA #NYLaw #Lawyer

Be sure to check out the EJ Committee's Winter 2025 Newsletter! #environmentaljustice #EJ #climate #CLCPA #environmentallaw #SEQRA

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation proposes to issue statewide general permits for various activities in state-regulated freshwater wetlands and adjacent areas, protected waterbodies, and navigable waters. To streamline the permitting process and ease the regulatory burden for members of the regulated community, NYSDEC has developed a series of draft “General?Permits” that will provide permitting assurances for certain broad categories of activities. The first of these permits – the Standard Activities?General?Permit?–?Freshwater Wetlands?General?Permit?(GP-0-25-003) -is for a five-year term to allow for the repair, replacement, or removal of existing structures and facilities; construction or modification of various residential, commercial, industrial, or public structures; temporary installation of access roads and laydown areas; cutting trees and vegetation; drilling test wells; and routine beach maintenance and replenishment in areas under NYSDEC jurisdiction. In addition to the Standard Activities?General?Permit, on Wednesday, February 5, NYSDEC published five new?General?Permits for public comment, including: 1. Community-Scale Solar Energy Installations GP (GP-0-25-004): Allows installation of access roads, power interconnections, vegetation clearing, and wetland mitigation for solar projects. 2. Electric Utility Right of Way (ROW) Maintenance GP (GP-0-25-005): Permits access road installation, maintenance and repair of structures, debris removal, vegetation management, and pesticide application. 3. Natural Gas Utility Right of Way Maintenance GP (GP-0-25-009): Authorizes access roads, maintenance of infrastructure, and vegetation removal. 4. Housing Development GP (GP-0-25-006): Covers construction activities for single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, and apartments, with limits on unavoidable impacts requiring wetland mitigation. 5. Lakes and Shorelines GP (GP-0-25-007): Permits shoreline protection, ramp installation, dock repairs, and various maintenance activities, with specific limits outlined in the draft?permit. The draft?General?Permits will be open for public comment until March 18, 2025. ?https://lnkd.in/eNFGGXtz #generalpermit #freshwaterwetlands #NY #construction #maintenance #housing #environment

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation released the draft amendments to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) regulations to incorporate provisions of the Environmental Justice Siting Law, also known as the “Cumulative Impacts Law” signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022. The draft regulations amend the SEQRA to require consideration of potential and existing burdens in disadvantaged communities that already bear higher levels of pollution, effects of climate change, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. Additional changes include efforts to streamline SEQRA reviews for certain small-scale, multi-family housing developments, which complement’s Governor Hochul’s affordable housing agenda to benefit New Yorkers. Public comments will be accepted until May 7. https://lnkd.in/ehMJ7byy #SEQRA #Regulations #EnvironmentalJustice #CumulativeImpacts #EnvironmentalAssessment #climatechange