Environmental Law

Environmental Law (25)

Environmental Law

The Supreme Court's Seven County Case: New Legal Principles Govern NEPA Decisionmaking and Court Deference

Written by Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. / Published Wednesday, 11 February 2026 14:49

On May 29, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly impacted how agencies comply with NEPA, and how courts review compliance, in its decision Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County et al, 605 U.S. (No. 23-975, May 29, 2025). The 5-3 majority (Gorsuch did not participate in the decision) held that courts must give federal agencies “substantial judicial deference” when reviewing NEPA documents. Specifically, the court found that NEPA does not require agencies to consider the environmental effects of upstream or downstream projects that are “separate in time or place” from the proposed action subject to NEPA review. Factual Background:…

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Environmental Law

The National Environmental Policy Act, New CEQ Rules, and Reforms: It's Not Your Grandparents' NEPA Anymore

Written by Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. / Published Wednesday, 11 February 2026 14:29

A. National Environmental Policy Act Congress enacted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to declare a national policy “to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and [to] fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.” 42 U.S.C. 4331(a). NEPA, as amended by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA), furthers this national policy by requiring federal agencies to prepare a “detailed statement” for…

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Environmental Law

McGregor Publishes Environmental Law Update 2024-2025

Written by Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. / Published Tuesday, 18 March 2025 13:41

Firm founder and senior partner Gregor McGregor this year has prepared his annual survey of environmental law developments in PowerPoint form. It will be further updated throughout the current year. It covers federal, Massachusetts, and municipal court cases, laws, regulations, policies, and enforcement.

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Environmental Law

Environmental Law

McGregor Pays Tribute to the Giants in the History of Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Laws

Written by Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. / Published Wednesday, 12 March 2025 13:30

Mr. McGregor’s keynote address to the Annual Environmental Conference (AEC) of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) at Holy Cross College on March 1, 2025, marked his retirement from the MACC Board after 50 years.

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Environmental Law

Brookline Ban on Smoking Products Upheld by SJC Has Environmental Implications

Written by Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. / Published Wednesday, 12 March 2025 12:26

The Town of Brookline smoking ban case has favorable implications for local environmental laws.

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Environmental Law

Environmental Law

McGregor to Give Keynote Address and Smith to Present on Enforcement at MACC’s Annual Environmental Conference

Written by Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. / Published Thursday, 06 February 2025 15:18

Firm senior partner Gregor I. McGregor will deliver the keynote address at the Annual Environmental Conference (AEC) of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). This is to mark his retirement from the MACC Board of Directors after 50 years.

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Environmental Law

Firm's Annual Update of Environmental Law 2024 Presentation Now Available

Gregor I. McGregor, Esq & Caroline E. Smith, Esq. / Published Wednesday, 06 November 2024 13:36

Firm senior partner Gregor I. McGregor and firm associate Caroline E. Smith this fall presented our Environmental Law Update 2024 to the Real Estate Bar Association (REBA) and Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (MMLA) at their annual meetings.

Environmental Law

Federal Environmental Law at this Moment: Earth Day 2024

Written by Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. / Published Tuesday, 23 April 2024 10:14

EPA in April listed two ubiquitous “forever” PFAS chemicals -PFOA and PFOS- as hazardous substances under Superfund (CERCLA), triggering reporting, testing, cleanup, and monitoring responsibilities for arrangers, transporters, treaters, disposers and other Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), including manufacturers, users, and property owners under Superfund’s strict, joint and several, and retroactive liability.

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Environmental Law

Environmental Law

Massachusetts Environmental Law at this Moment: Earth Day 2024

Written by Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. / Published Monday, 22 April 2024 15:26

On the state level, the new Massachusetts Climate Law, An Act Creating a Next-generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, set ambitious statewide limits on emissions to achieve net zero by 2050. With interim emissions reduction goals, this new statute should revitalize the need for quick climate solutions and collaborative processes across all sectors.

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Environmental Law

Massachusetts’ 2024 Environmental Justice (EJ) Strategy

Written by Adam Scheckman / Published Wednesday, 03 April 2024 10:33

On February 15, 2024, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) published Massachusetts’ first-ever “Environmental Justice Strategy” (EJ Strategy).1 This EJ Strategy comes as a result of the Commonwealth’s 2021 Environmental Justice Policy, which directed all EEA agencies to develop their own environmental justice (EJ) strategies.2

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Environmental Justice

Environmental Law

McGregor Recognized as a Massachusetts "Go-to-Lawyer" on Environmental and Energy Law

/ Published Friday, 19 January 2024 11:53

Annually the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly publication, the legal newspaper of record for practicing attorneys, selects leading lawyers to recognize in an important field of law. For 2023 the subject was Environmental/Energy and our firm founder and senior partner Gregor I. McGregor was so honored.

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