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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP
@smwlaw.bsky.social
11 followers 23 following 56 posts
Since 1980 we have specialized in government, land use, renewable energy, and environmental law. We provide public agencies, non-profits, tribes, and community groups with the highest quality legal representation, offering an array of services. smwlaw.com
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Mar 16
SMW once again has been named a Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers, a peer-reviewed guide to lawyers and law firms in the U.S.

The firm was previously named in 2024, 2022, and 2020. Eight SMW attorneys were also named to the Best Lawyers in America 2025 list.

www.smwlaw.com/2024/11/07/s...
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger Named to 2025 Best Law Firms List - Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP
SMW once again has been named a Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers, a peer-reviewed guide to lawyers and law firms in the U.S. The firm was previously named to this list in 2024, 2022, and 2020. As in prev...
www.smwlaw.com
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 1d
California cities are adopting new “AC to Heat Pump” (AC2HP) codes requiring old AC units be replaced with efficient heat pumps to cut pollution & support climate goals. Many are also passing electric-readiness & flexpath codes to prepare homes for electrification.
These California Cities Are Leading Fossil Fuel Transition in Buildings
This Fall, California cities are taking action to pass critical laws that will increase access to clean, efficient cooling and heating appliances for their residents, and more cities are ready to…
www.sierraclub.org
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 4d
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed climate adviser Lauren Sanchez chair of the California Air Resources Board.

A key architect of the state’s climate agenda, she’ll defend programs from federal rollbacks while advancing zero-emission goals and affordability.
Newsom picks climate ‘architect’ to lead California air board as Trump battle intensifies
Lauren Sanchez will replace Liane Randolph as California’s top air regulator as the state battles the White House, rising costs and an uncertain future for its climate agenda. 
www.sfchronicle.com
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 6d
A federal judge rejected Sable Offshore’s bid to dismiss a suit over restarting aging oil platforms off California. Environmental groups say the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management let Sable drill using outdated 1970s–80s plans despite a 2015 spill shutdown.
www.courthousenews.com
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 8d
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is offering $300K in grants for public agencies, nonprofits, and schools to support projects that advance science, conservation, or nature education. Pre-proposals due Oct 31.
Midpen opens new cycle of grants for nature-focused projects
Open space district accepting pre-proposals through Oct. 31.
www.eastbaytimes.com
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 18d
IREC released a report questioning the necessity of costly direct transfer trip (DTT) requirements for connecting solar and other distributed energy resources to the grid. Some DTT mandates may exceed actual risks, potentially blocking clean energy projects.

irecusa.org/blog/regulat...
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 20d
SMW partner Richard S. Taylor named 2026 Lawyer of the Year in environmental litigation (San Francisco).

Seven other SMW attorneys were also recognized on the 2026 Best Lawyers list for environmental & land use law.
SMW Partner Richard Taylor Named a Lawyer of the Year; Eight SMW Attorneys Again Named to Best Lawyers in America List
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger partner Richard S. Taylor has received the prestigious “2026 Lawyer of the Year” designation from the Best Lawyers Awards. This award is presented to a single lawyer in…
www.smwlaw.com
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 22d
A federal judge rejected the U.S. Chamber’s bid to block California laws requiring large companies to disclose emissions and climate risks, ruling they don’t violate the First Amendment.

courthousenews.com/big-business-strikes-out-in-bid-to-duck-california-emissions-disclosure/
Big Business strikes out in bid to duck California emissions disclosure
A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce failed to show the laws run afoul of the First Amendment.
www.courthousenews.com
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 25d
AB 130, taking effect October 1, 2025, will place a six-year limit on most local changes to California’s state building standards for residential buildings, both new and existing.

The law aims to create more uniform standards statewide, with only narrow exceptions.

www.smwlaw.com/2025/08/14/w...
What Now? Opportunities remain for local government building code changes after AB 130
AB 130 put the brakes on many local residential building code changes, but there are still opportunities for local governments to adopt modifications to the state building code. This article provides…
www.smwlaw.com
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 27d
Stanford Law students released a report on improving access to trusted climate data. It calls for open standards, modern infrastructure, and public-private collaboration to guide better climate decisions.

law.stanford.edu/2025/07/21/trusted-climate-data-for-effective-policy-a-roadmap-for-action/
Trusted Climate Data for Effective Policy: A Roadmap for Action | Stanford Law School
By: Victor Y. Wu, Oliver Edelson, and Allison Weinstock Ambitious governmental, corporate, and market pledges to cut carbon emissions can be fulfilled
law.stanford.edu
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 29d
The case returns to the Court of Appeal to decide if the policy violates state law by failing to promote solar growth in disadvantaged communities.
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · 29d
The California Supreme Court ruled that an appeals court improperly deferred to the state agency responsible for regulating electric utilities in upholding the agency’s decision to slash credits for rooftop solar.

biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
California Supreme Court Rejects Deference to Regulators on Rooftop Solar Rollback
Center for Biological Diversity: SAN FRANCISCO— In a victory for renewable energy, the California Supreme Court ruled today that an appeals court should not have deferred to state utility regulators…
biologicaldiversity.org
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Sep 19
SMW accepts applications for the 2026 Spring Clerkship Program through Oct 1. We welcome law students committed to public interest with strong research & writing skills. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, law school transcript, & 3 references. smwlaw.com/apply-for-clerkship/
Apply For Clerkship
415-552-7272
www.smwlaw.com
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Sep 18
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright faces criticism from scientists after revealing the Trump administration plans to “update” the mandated National Climate Assessment (NCA) reports. These peer-reviewed studies are considered the gold standard on climate impacts.
Trump's energy chief, a former fracking CEO, aims to tinker with key climate reports
He's doing "exactly what Stalin did."
www.motherjones.com
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Sep 5
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson asked a state court judge to allow his longstanding lawsuit against DuPont spinoffs over PFAS groundwater contamination to proceed, arguing that legislators have not stripped him of the authority to pursue the case.

www.law360.com/articles/236...
North Carolina AG Defends Power To Pursue PFAS Suit - Law360
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson on Wednesday urged a state court judge not to dismiss his long-running lawsuit against DuPont spinoffs over groundwater contamination from forever…
www.law360.com
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Sep 3
California aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2045, requiring a major shift to electric vehicles (EVs), including light-, medium-, & heavy-duty vehicles. Current utility timelines for connecting EV chargers to the grid may lag behind the pace needed for the state’s goals.
Meeting California’s Transportation Electrification Goals Requires New Metrics
By Melody Gee and Matthew McKerley Californians are reducing fossil fuel emissions by rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles. Is the state energizing
irecusa.org
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Sep 1
A federal judge blocked the 314-acre Stonegate Development in Chico, ruling that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to properly assess impacts on endangered species, including climate effects on vernal pool fairy shrimp and Butte County meadowfoam.
Judge scratches federal approval of Northern California mixed-use project
Environmentalists argued that the project would destroy the habitat of the exceedingly rare Butte County meadowfoam, an endangered flower.
www.courthousenews.com
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Aug 29
Palisades Tahoe, Keep Tahoe Blue & Sierra Watch settled the Olympic Valley dispute with a plan that slashes development, protects Shirley Canyon & halts new projects for 25 years.

SMW is proud to have supported this 14-year effort.
www.sierrawatch.org
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Aug 27
UCLA researchers installed 20 new air monitors across northwest L.A. County to track ash and dust from wildfire recovery.

The CAP AIR network provides real-time, hyperlocal data on fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particles linked to serious health risks.
New network of air pollution monitors launches near Palisades fire
UCLA researchers have launched a new network of air pollution monitors for northwest L.A. areas near the Palisades fire.
www.latimes.com
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Aug 25
SMW’s East Bay Hikes crew at the halfway point of the Tilden Park trail, pausing for water, snacks, and views.
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Aug 22
Congrats to District staff, leading the fight against air pollution, to People’s Collective for Environmental Justice, Sierra Club & Industrious Labs for their advocacy. CBE, Clean Air Council & NRDC are suing EPA for failing to regulate dangerous hydrogen fluoride.
Groups Sue EPA Over Toxic, Flesh-Dissolving Refinery Chemical That Threatens Fenceline Communities | Communities for a Better Environment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.cbecal.org
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Aug 20
SMW celebrates Clem Shute, honored with the Dianne Feinstein Tahoe Champion Award.

A founding partner in 1980, Clem played a key role in securing an injunction that shaped development in the Lake Tahoe Basin and guided TRPA planning for decades.
Tahoe Champion Honored with Dianne Feinstein Award|Tahoe Regional Planning Agency — TRPA
Aug 6, 2025
www.trpa.gov
smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Aug 18
California lawmakers have passed AJR 10, a resolution urging the President to veto any efforts to defund the U.S. Forest Service and to work with Congress to strengthen wildfire prevention programs.
California AJR10 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session
Bill Text (2025-07-08) United States Forest Service: federal funding. [Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 133, Statutes of 2025.]
legiscan.com
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Jul 23
California & 10 other states have filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s reversal of California’s electric vehicle & clean air regulations.

The lawsuit, led by CA Attorney General Rob Bonta, opposes Trump’s revocation of EPA waivers for stricter emissions.
Calif. Sues Trump Over 'Wildly Partisan' EV Waiver Repeal - Law360
The California attorney general and 10 other states sued the Trump administration in federal court Thursday, minutes after President Donald Trump signed resolutions repealing California's Clean Air…
www.law360.com
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Jul 21
With this acquisition, Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve expands from 515 to 2,032 acres, creating a contiguous corridor of more than 22,000 acres of conserved land that stretches to the Sonoma Coast.
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smwlaw.bsky.social
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP @smwlaw.bsky.social · Jul 21
SMW advised @savetheredwoods.org on a complex conservation transaction that resulted in the permanent protection of 1,517 acres of redwood forest in Sonoma County.

www.savetheredwoods.org/project/mont...
Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion
Long-awaited opportunity to link redwood forest, habitat, and parks between Monte Rio and coast.
www.savetheredwoods.org
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