Dan Farber
@dfarber1950.bsky.social
Law professor and director of Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment at UC Berkeley
Definitely not a great year for the environment, but there are still things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Here are ten of them.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/26/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/26/t...
The Top Ten Things to be Thankful for this Year - Legal Planet
Despite Trump's effort to decimate federal climate policy, all is not lost. Theregood news at the state level and globally.
legal-planet.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Definitely not a great year for the environment, but there are still things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Here are ten of them.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/26/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/26/t...
Reposted by Dan Farber
An advisory committee suggests upgrading FEMA, but Noem still hopes to gut it. @dfarber1950.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/y...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/y...
Yes, Secretary Noem, We Really Do Need FEMA - Legal Planet
Kristi Noem still wants to gut FEMA, not withstanding the recommendations of a council appointed by Trump. Here's why she's wrong.
legal-planet.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
An advisory committee suggests upgrading FEMA, but Noem still hopes to gut it. @dfarber1950.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/y...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/y...
Reposted by Dan Farber
Even for the Trump Administration, this seems really weird. @dfarber1950.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/11/24/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/24/t...
Trump’s Baffling Free Pass for Coke Oven Pollution - Legal Planet
Trump just gave coke ovens a free pass on their toxic air pollution. His own EPA found only weeks ago that doing so would be pointless.
legal-planet.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Even for the Trump Administration, this seems really weird. @dfarber1950.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/11/24/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/24/t...
Episode 100 in "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight," in which Trump grants a pollution waiver after his own EPA had found a waiver to be pointless. Someone apparently forgot to tell the Big Guy.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/24/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/24/t...
Trump’s Baffling Free Pass for Coke Oven Pollution - Legal Planet
Trump just gave coke ovens a free pass on their toxic air pollution. His own EPA found only weeks ago that doing so would be pointless.
legal-planet.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Episode 100 in "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight," in which Trump grants a pollution waiver after his own EPA had found a waiver to be pointless. Someone apparently forgot to tell the Big Guy.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/24/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/24/t...
Kristi Noem seems poised to recommend gutting FEMA, despite the views of a special commission. She's wrong. Here's why the federal government needs to play an active role in disaster management.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/y...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/y...
Yes, Secretary Noem, We Really Do Need FEMA - Legal Planet
Kristi Noem still wants to gut FEMA, not withstanding the recommendations of a council appointed by Trump. Here's why she's wrong.
legal-planet.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Kristi Noem seems poised to recommend gutting FEMA, despite the views of a special commission. She's wrong. Here's why the federal government needs to play an active role in disaster management.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/y...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/y...
Many of Trump's actions are vulnerable to attacks based on conservative legal theories. Many liberals feel queasy about using legal doctrines they disagree with. They shouldn't.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/17/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/17/t...
Turning Conservative Legal Theories Against Trump - Legal Planet
Should we use conservatives’ ideas to fight the current threat to democracy and the rule of law? Right now, I think, we can’t afford to be squeamish.
legal-planet.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Many of Trump's actions are vulnerable to attacks based on conservative legal theories. Many liberals feel queasy about using legal doctrines they disagree with. They shouldn't.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/17/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/17/t...
Reposted by Dan Farber
A new Trump Administration rule restricts which organizations qualify as engaging in public service. @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2025/11/10/a...
Another Threat to Advocacy Groups - Legal Planet
An innocent-seeming tweak in the loan-forgiveness program turns out to be trap for organizations whose purposes Trump doesn't like.
legal-planet.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:45 PM
A new Trump Administration rule restricts which organizations qualify as engaging in public service. @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2025/11/10/a...
Reposted by Dan Farber
When it comes to California's authority to limit vehicle emissions, the issues are complex, but the state has some strong legal arguments on its side. @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2025/11/13/s...
The Lingering Legal Issue of California’s Limits on Vehicle Emissions - Legal Planet
Can Trump revoke California's authority to regulate carbon emissions from cars and trucks? Here's what you need to know about the legal issues.
legal-planet.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:13 PM
When it comes to California's authority to limit vehicle emissions, the issues are complex, but the state has some strong legal arguments on its side. @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2025/11/13/s...
The Supreme Court will be considering legal arguments about the validity of Trump's tariffs. However the Court ultimately rules, therre will be ways for environmentalists to exploit the ruling, now or later. Here's how.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/04/p...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/04/p...
The Tariff Case & Environmental Law - Legal Planet
The tariff case presents the Supreme Court with major issues abouexecutive powers that will impact areas like environmental law.
legal-planet.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The Supreme Court will be considering legal arguments about the validity of Trump's tariffs. However the Court ultimately rules, therre will be ways for environmentalists to exploit the ruling, now or later. Here's how.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/04/p...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/04/p...
We're one year from the federal off-year elections.So much is at stake. Here's what things look like as of today. A lot could change, but the bottom line is that Dems have their work cut out for them. Tomorrow's state races will provide an additional clue.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/03/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/03/t...
The 2026 Election: Through a Glass, Darkly - Legal Planet
Obviously, it’s early days. The Democrats will need to get some luster back on their brand and see some tarnishing of Trump’s to prevail.
legal-planet.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:07 PM
We're one year from the federal off-year elections.So much is at stake. Here's what things look like as of today. A lot could change, but the bottom line is that Dems have their work cut out for them. Tomorrow's state races will provide an additional clue.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/03/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/03/t...
Here are the Ghosts of Climate Past, Present, and Future, reminding us of what we've lost, where we are, and what we risk, And more Halloween costumes for the climate-aware: Cruella de Coal, the Endangered Mermaid, and Buzz Windmill. .
legal-planet.org/2025/10/30/h...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/30/h...
Halloween Hacks for a Warming Planet - Legal Planet
Children will be roaming the streets tonight dressed as Superheroes, Princesses, and Evil Villains. But really, these invented figures can’t hold a candle to the real ones in our world. Here are some ...
legal-planet.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Here are the Ghosts of Climate Past, Present, and Future, reminding us of what we've lost, where we are, and what we risk, And more Halloween costumes for the climate-aware: Cruella de Coal, the Endangered Mermaid, and Buzz Windmill. .
legal-planet.org/2025/10/30/h...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/30/h...
The new McCarthyism: Trump has laid the groundwork for accusations and charges against progressive organizations that are purportedly involved in a conspiracy to support antifa.
lnkd.in/g4ZXFStQ
lnkd.in/g4ZXFStQ
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
October 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The new McCarthyism: Trump has laid the groundwork for accusations and charges against progressive organizations that are purportedly involved in a conspiracy to support antifa.
lnkd.in/g4ZXFStQ
lnkd.in/g4ZXFStQ
The Edley Center sponsored this important event on AI, racial justice, and democracy. Is AI part of the problem or part of the cure? Or both?
www.law.berkeley.edu/research/edl...
www.law.berkeley.edu/research/edl...
Events
www.law.berkeley.edu
October 26, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The Edley Center sponsored this important event on AI, racial justice, and democracy. Is AI part of the problem or part of the cure? Or both?
www.law.berkeley.edu/research/edl...
www.law.berkeley.edu/research/edl...
Trump is aiming to do the same thing to federal environmental law that he's done to the East Wing of the White House. He's going to have a much tougher time attacking environmentally friendly states like California.
legal-planet.org/2025/10/23/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/23/t...
The Legal Barricades Protecting State Climate Policy - Legal Planet
Trump wants to wipe out state climate policies, but he'll have an uphill battle. The legal landscape favors the states.
legal-planet.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Trump is aiming to do the same thing to federal environmental law that he's done to the East Wing of the White House. He's going to have a much tougher time attacking environmentally friendly states like California.
legal-planet.org/2025/10/23/t...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/23/t...
Reposted by Dan Farber
Whoops, someone forgot to put it on the White House calendar. October 17-31 has now been proclaimed to be “National Energy Dominance Month.” Classic. @dfarber1950.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/10/20/g...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/20/g...
Guess What? The Next 2 Weeks Are “National Energy Dominance Month” - Legal Planet
Trump remembered halfway through October that he was supposed to proclaim "National Energy Dominance Month," And the story only gets lamer.
legal-planet.org
October 20, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Whoops, someone forgot to put it on the White House calendar. October 17-31 has now been proclaimed to be “National Energy Dominance Month.” Classic. @dfarber1950.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/10/20/g...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/20/g...
Reposted by Dan Farber
Another bit of good news -- clean energy stocks are significantly outperforming the S&P500, and outperforming oil stocks by even more
October 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Another bit of good news -- clean energy stocks are significantly outperforming the S&P500, and outperforming oil stocks by even more
It begins to be clear that, among other things, Kavanaugh is not a careful lawyer.
“The Government sometimes makes brief investigative stops. . . . If the officers learn that the individual they stopped is a U. S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, they promptly let the individual go.”
Justice Kavanaugh in Vasquez Perdomo:
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Justice Kavanaugh in Vasquez Perdomo:
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Extraordinary NEW story: We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. @nicolefoy.bsky.social w/ photos by @sbmaneyphoto.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 1:53 AM
It begins to be clear that, among other things, Kavanaugh is not a careful lawyer.
MIT's staunch rejection of the Compact helped set the tone for other schools. It makes you realize what was lost in the law firm setting when Paul Weiss conspicuously caved to Trump.
October 17, 2025 at 1:51 AM
MIT's staunch rejection of the Compact helped set the tone for other schools. It makes you realize what was lost in the law firm setting when Paul Weiss conspicuously caved to Trump.
USC joins the list of schools rejecting Trump's compact. So far, no one has said "yes."
October 17, 2025 at 1:50 AM
USC joins the list of schools rejecting Trump's compact. So far, no one has said "yes."
The 7th Circuit has written a clear, crisp opinion explaining why Trump's use of troops in Chicago is probably illegal. One thing that the opinion makes clear is that DOJ has lost a lot of credibility in terms of factual assertions.
media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/Opin...
media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/Opin...
media.ca7.uscourts.gov
October 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The 7th Circuit has written a clear, crisp opinion explaining why Trump's use of troops in Chicago is probably illegal. One thing that the opinion makes clear is that DOJ has lost a lot of credibility in terms of factual assertions.
media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/Opin...
media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/Opin...
MIT, Brown, and now Penn have rejected Trump's nefarious - and unconstitutional - "Compact".
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/u...
Penn Becomes Latest University to Reject White House Deal
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
MIT, Brown, and now Penn have rejected Trump's nefarious - and unconstitutional - "Compact".
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/u...
The work of these universities' environmental law centers shows that it's still possible to make a difference, even in dark times.
legal-planet.org/2025/10/16/l...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/16/l...
Lighting Candles in Dark Times: Environmental Law Centers in the Trump Era - Legal Planet
These law school environmental law centers how it’s possible find ways to make a difference even in dark times.
legal-planet.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The work of these universities' environmental law centers shows that it's still possible to make a difference, even in dark times.
legal-planet.org/2025/10/16/l...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/16/l...
JD Vance: Overt racism and anti-Semitism is just boys being boys.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Vance downplays group chat messages: ‘Kids do stupid things, especially young boys.’
The vice president called the texts "edgy, offensive jokes."
www.politico.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:54 PM
JD Vance: Overt racism and anti-Semitism is just boys being boys.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Another university rejects Trump's "Compact," which a compact only in the sense that a blackmail payment is contractual.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Brown Joins MIT in Rejecting Trump’s College Compact Invitation
Brown University declined the White House’s invitation to sign an agreement that would grant preferential funding in exchange for a slew of policy changes, like DEI bans and limits on international st...
www.bloomberg.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Another university rejects Trump's "Compact," which a compact only in the sense that a blackmail payment is contractual.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Why does Trump flaunt his willingness to act at the fringes of legality? Could that work to his advantage? The answer is yes, but the downside is that this strategy makes him more vulnerable in court.
ssrn.com/abstract=540...
ssrn.com/abstract=540...
The Imperious Presidency: Brazen Power Plays and Executive Overreach
The Trump Administration has been prone to brazen power plays. These actions have three basic characteristics: they are dramatic deviations from conventional go
ssrn.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Why does Trump flaunt his willingness to act at the fringes of legality? Could that work to his advantage? The answer is yes, but the downside is that this strategy makes him more vulnerable in court.
ssrn.com/abstract=540...
ssrn.com/abstract=540...