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Nathan’s Podcast
Ep. 8 | April 2025's first week of environmental news
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Ep. 8 | April 2025's first week of environmental news

Will the $744.6 million verdict set a new precedent for environmental related lawsuits forever?

Brought to you by nathanhammer.substack.com

Join us as we break down a massive $744.6 million jury decision against Chevron in Louisiana, holding them accountable for the impact of Texico's historical oil and gas activities on coastal wetlands. We'll explore the details of the lawsuit, the long-term consequences of industrial work, the importance of wetlands, and Chevron's planned appeal based on operating under past permits. We also discuss how this verdict compares to other major environmental settlements like Formosa Plastics, OK Tedi mine, Deepwater Horizon, and Exxon Valdez.

Then, we head to the Delaware River, where the EPA announced stricter water quality standards on April 1st. Discover why these new regulations, aimed at protecting endangered fish like sturgeon and improving overall water quality, are noteworthy, especially in the context of deregulation discussions. We'll cover the focus on dissolved oxygen levels and the connection to local economies.

Finally, we'll take you to Texas for some forward-thinking developments in carbon capture technology. On April 7th, the EPA granted Accidental Petroleum (Oxy) permits for their Stratos direct air capture (DAC) project in Ector County. Learn about this groundbreaking initiative, set to be the world's largest DAC facility, and its potential impact on managing carbon emissions. We'll touch on the technology's potential for permanent storage or enhanced oil recovery, as well as some of the concerns surrounding it.

This episode provides a snapshot of environmental management and regulation, highlighting issues of accountability, ongoing protection efforts, and game-changing technologies. We'll leave you with a thought-provoking question about the biggest challenge or opportunity for the future of environmental management.

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