JDSupra

Defense Set to Begin Arguments In Sandusky Trial

As expected, this week blew through the Columbus Day holiday and into a flurry of legislative activity. Dozens of bills went back and forth between the chambers this week, and many have already landed on the governor’s desk. Additionally, the Corbett administration announced a resolution in the five-year dispute over Mcare fund transfers and assessments.

Despite the long days and daily – sometimes multiple – Rules Committee meetings, there still isn’t quite enough time to get everything crossed off the legislative to-do list. While big-ticket items like pension reform and liquor privatization have fallen into the dust heap of this session’s history, the two chambers are wrapping up other last minute details, some of which stand to have significant impact in the areas of health care and human services, economic development and tax credits. Both the House and the Senate added a voting session day. Originally, the House and Senate were both to have adjourned until after the November 4 election as of Wednesday, but the Senate added Thursday, October 16 as a voting day, and the House added Monday, October 20.

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The last thing that public agency leaders want to hear is that looming changes may make operating and building new public infrastructure more challenging and expensive. Unfortunately, proposed changes by the Environmental Protection Agency to the Clean Water Act could ultimately stop, delay or increase the cost of public projects.

The federal Clean Water Act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating the quality of those waters. The pending changes, if adopted, could greatly expand the jurisdictional reach of the CWA and change how municipal stormwater systems are categorized.

A large excavator loads a truck with oil

The Northern Plan will focus on the integrated and coherent development of the area covered by the Northern Plan which includes all of Québec located north of the 49th degree of north latitude and north of the St. Lawrence River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There are several mining exploration projects and major mining projects at various stages of development in the north, some of which require significant access to infrastructures. The Government of Quebec intends to take steps to facilitate the implementation of mining and other projects in the area. With confirmation by the Government of Québec of its intention to relaunch the Northern Plan by introducing Bill 11, An Act respecting the Société du Plan Nord, on September 30, 2014, the implementation of the Northern Plan continues. Bill 11 reiterates the majority of the elements included in the former Bill 27, An Act respecting the Société du Plan Nord, introduced in 2011, which was examined by a parliamentary committee. However, Bill 11 contains new elements and incorporates differences when compared to the previous version as outlined in “Relaunching the Northern Plan: Introduction of the Bill to establish the Société du Plan Nord” [Link]. Mr. Couillard’s government seems determined to proceed with the implementation of all mechanisms required for the orderly deployment of the Northern Plan while the mining sector and international business community continue to demonstrate interest in this major plan.

Structuring Energy and Natural Resource Investments into Sub Saharan Africa

Bill Clinton Visits Clinton Foundation Projects In Africa

An improving investment climate –

Perceptions of Africa as an investment destination are changing rapidly and parts of Africa are increasingly considered very attractive for foreign direct investment. Compare this to similar findings as recently as three or four years ago, and it becomes clear that there has been a remarkable change in Africa’s image in a short period of time.

The statistics suggest that these changing perceptions are justified. Africa’s share of global foreign direct investment stands at 5.7% – an all-time high, of which, notably, 80% is directed towards sub-Saharan Africa1. In addition, there has been a marked increase in intra-African investment. While the majority of this inward investment has been focused on the traditional extractive industries, it is worth noting that there is also a long-term trend towards increasing investments in consumer facing industries, such as financial services. Kenya, for example, is harnessing such investment to establish itself as a regional commercial financial hub…

A man walks outside a newly launched 670

The 330-MW Sarulla geothermal power project stands to be the largest geothermal power project in Indonesia to date. A Latham & Watkins team led by partners Joseph Bevash, Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi and Andrew Roche advised the lenders on the $US1.17 billion financing of the project. In this Q&A interview Tjia-Dharmadi discusses the significance of the deal, the unique financing challenges it presented, and the project’s potential to serve as a blueprint for future geothermal projects in Indonesia.

Indian labourers prepare the flooded fie

On 24 September 2014, the Indian Supreme Court cancelled 214 out of the 218 existing coal-mining licenses. The only mining licences which were not cancelled were four coal blocks made to Government controlled undertakings linked to major state power projects, and which did not involve a joint venture with a private company.

The decision follows a report from federal auditors in 2012, which found that India had lost roughly US $33bn due to coalfield rights being sold off cheaply. The audit report was supported by an earlier judgment of the Indian Supreme Court on 25 August 2014 where the Court declared that all 218 coal mining licenses both to private and state companies were assigned illegally by the central government in a process that lacked transparency and was arbitrary and illegal.

Ratcheting Up The Pressure: Reinforced Ukraine-Related Sanctions On Russia

President Obama Delivers State Of The Union Address At U.S. Capitol

On September 12, 2014, the United States (“U.S.”) and European Union (“EU”) both announced expanded sanctions related to Russia and Ukraine. These measures seek to increase pressure on the Russian Government to stop threatening the territorial integrity of Ukraine. In general, the specific sanctions (i) target specific entities and individuals, (ii) limit access to financial markets, and (iii) prohibit certain oil related exports and activities.

PHILIPPINES-ENERGY-ENVIRONMENT-SOLAR-FILES

Asarco LLC v. Goodwin, 756 F.3d 191 (2nd Cir. 2014) –

A reorganized company (Asarco) sought contribution for payment of environmental claims from beneficiaries of trusts created under John D. Rockefeller’s will. The district court dismissed the claims, and Asarco appealed to the 2d Circuit.

ML Strategies Energy & Environment Update: Week of 10/6/2014

Research Shows San Andreas Fault May Be Overdue For Large Earthquake

The fifth annual United States-India Energy Partnership summit took place in Washington last week. The United States and India created the Clean Energy Finance Forum September 30 after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Obama in Washington for the first time since his election in the spring. The forum will bring together public and private sector officials to consider ways to mobilize financing for India’s expanding renewable energy market. The two countries also announced a $1 billion financing deal between the U.S. Export-Import Bank and India’s Renewable Energy Development Agency to help increase U.S. renewable energy exports to India and help India transition to a low-carbon economy. In the last four years, India’s solar market has grown more than a hundredfold to reach more than 2.5 GW of grid-connected installed solar energy. India is the world’s fifth largest wind energy producer, with 20 GW of installed wind capacity.

EU, banks' and Greek flags flutter at th

Greece has initiated its tender process for offshore oil and gas (hydrocarbons) exploration as of August 26, 2014. The Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change is seeking bid applications for its offshore oil and gas exploration in 20 block areas in the Ionian Sea and south of Crete. The Greek government is hoping this will aid the Greek economy by encouraging an influx of investment capital.

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