Supreme Court

Supreme Court Overturns EPA's Mercury Rules

In a close ruling, the Supreme Court decided the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had not properly considered the costs of new regulations limiting mercury and other emissions.

June 29, 2015 - Associated Press

Confederate Flag Debate Spreading to Federal Transportation Funding

An Ohio Senator hopes to use the transportation reauthorization bill to motivate states that issue license plates bearing the Confederate flag to remove them. A week ago the Supreme Court ruled states can do so without violating the first amendment.

June 26, 2015 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Danger

Cities Lose Supreme Court Case on Sign Regulation

The Supreme Court, in two separate opinions, unanimously ruled on June 18 against an Arizona town's sign regulation that denied the placement of a street sign based on its content. At question was a sign directing passers-by to a church service.

June 26, 2015 - The Washington Post

Supreme Court Upholds 'Disparate Impact' in Key Fair Housing Decision

A highly anticipated Supreme Court ruling on the concept of "disparate impact" at the heart of the Fair Housing Act.

June 25, 2015 - CityLab

A Policy Change for Special Needs New Yorkers

The Brooklyn Development Center will close Dec. 31. The closure of the state facility is part of a long term goal of deinstitutionalizing the developmentally disabled and integrating them in the community in group homes.

February 2, 2015 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Disparate Impact: A Texan's Perspective

It’s important to remember, as the Texas disparate impact case reaches the Supreme Court of the United States later this month, the actual people who bear the brunt of Texas' history of housing discrimination.

January 22, 2015 - Rooflines

Will the Supreme Court Kill Fair Housing?

A Supreme Court hearings less than two weeks away could destroy fair housing as we know it.

January 14, 2015 - Rooflines

Supreme Court to Review EPA's Mercury Standard

The top court's decision on Tuesday to review the first-ever regulation of mercury is a setback for Obama's environmental agenda, in part because it has implications for other EPA initiatives including Wednesday's proposal to tighten the ozone rule.

November 27, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Supreme Court Approves California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard

A key regulation in California's war on global warming emissions withstood a major court challenge by the energy industry—both oil and corn ethanol—when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear their challenge to an Appeals Court ruling on June 30.

July 2, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Breaking News: Supreme Court Strikes Down Part of Obama Climate Initiative

In a 5-4 decision on June 23, the Supreme Court ruled that EPA erred in the permitting processes for new carbon-cutting rules. However, most of the Clean Power Plant rule that reduces emissions 30 percent will not be affected.

June 23, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Will Obama's Climate Initiative Become the Obamacare of Regulations?

EPA's new Clean Power Plan Rule has taken on a political life of its own, with coal states adamantly opposed, helping those who allege that the administration is waging a "war on coal." We also look at the basis of the rule in the 1970 Clean Air Act.

June 7, 2014 - Politico Pro

U.S. Coal Exports to Europe Breaking Records

If President Obama is waging a "war on coal," as his critics claim, then Europe must be enjoying a love affair with America's high-carbon fossil fuel, and the most polluting variety at that. How could the world's greenest continent turn so brown?

May 8, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

Decisive Supreme Court Win for Clean Air and Public Health

In a huge and perhaps unexpected win for the EPA, the Supreme Court on April 29 reversed an appellate court panel ruling that had rejected their attempt to regulate interstate air pollution caused by about 1,000 coal-fired power plants in 28 states.

May 1, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Politics and Policy

Billboard pepsi

Billboards, Big Money, and (Political) Blight

Planners typically pay attention to the Supreme Court when a Fifth Amendment case, like Kelo v. New London, comes along. The recent McCutcheon decision is a case in which the court could have paid attention to planners.

April 20, 2014 - Josh Stephens

Supreme Court Delivers Blow to Rails-to-Trails

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a private land owner in Wyoming, who sued to reclaim land once granted to a railroad under an 1875 law. The ruling undermines the legality of the nation’s network of public trails built on former rail right-of-way.

March 11, 2014 - SCOTUS Blog

Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. Supremes Tighten the Screws on Exactions

The Supreme Court's ruling Tuesday in the Koontz case could have a chilling effect on all negotiations between government agencies and developers, says Bill Fulton. Are Alito and Kagan on the same planet?

June 26, 2013 - California Planning & Development Report

Court Ruling Means UK Cities May Need to Ban Cars

The UK's supreme court ruled this week that the government has failed to live up to its legal obligation to curb air pollution, in breach of an EU air quality directive.

May 2, 2013 - The Guardian

Supreme Court of the United States

New Takings Case Argued Before the Supreme Court

William Fulton examines the likely outcome of a takings case that went before the U.S. Supreme Court last week. Oral arguments seemed to indicate the justices were leaning towards a surprising outcome.

January 24, 2013 - California Planning & Development Report

Light at End of Tunnel for Southern States' Water Fight

The tri-state fight over water in Alabama, Georgia and Florida is still raging, but some believe a negotiated settlement is not far off. However, there is potential for the fight to go all the way to the Supreme Court.

September 21, 2010 - The Economist

Packing The Court -- With City-Dwellers

If Elena Kagan is confirmed, not only will the Supreme Court get its third sitting woman. It will also get its second woman New Yorker. Bill Fulton considers the importance of the urban experience in jurisprudence.

May 11, 2010 - California Planning & Development Report

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