Tag Archives: environment

Strength of Ohana

What was once a quaint, historic town on the Western coast of Maui, Lahaina is now flattened to ash. In the aftermath of the crushing wildfires in Maui that displaced residents living in Lahaina and left over 115 people dead and hundreds still missing, Maui County has filed legal action against Hawaiian Electric. The utility company’s alleged negligence is pinned as the cause of the blaze. Maui is suing for civil damages, to recover lost tax revenue and the destruction of infrastructure and roads. The lawsuit is described as a cost recovery action that will benefit taxpayers.

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Save the Whales

Alternative energy

A hot topic among politicians and the current presidential administration, climate change presents opportunities to address alternative energy sources. President Biden’s solution involves the development of offshore wind turbines, which may subsequently create jobs. Despite the prospective benefits of generating electricity for 400,000 homes, the $3 million, 800-megawatt project is a growing concern for Nantucket residents and members of the ACK Residents Against Turbines. According to their arguments, Vineyard Winds has failed to provide adequate research data supporting the safety and preservation of marine life. In particular, wind turbines potentially threaten the lives of endangered Northern Atlantic right whales. Continue reading →

Wildfire Lawsuits Refuse to Extinguish

Snuffed out

Sometimes when you ignore the law, you may have to face the consequences. Due to the company’s negligence in a wildfire that took place in 2018, J-Spear Ranch in Paisley, Oregon is left to deal with a second lawsuit filed against them. While the first lawsuit was initiated by a timber company, this second swing at legal action is taken by the federal government. The lawsuits intend to hold J-Spear Ranch responsible for the Fremont-Winema National Forest’s Watson Creek Fire.

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Heaping Class Action Filed in Response to Burning Trash

On fire

The South Carolina neighborhood of Ridgeland is under fire, literally. A landfill owned by Able Contracting has been burning for over a month, since June, to the point of probable contamination. Due to the landfill owner’s apparent negligence, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of a construction company located close by to the burning site. The class action was filed with the intention of compensating residents and business owners in the surrounding area for a decline in property value, a decrease in potential revenue, and personal injury. Many residents voluntarily left their homes, and some are starting to cope with the possibility that they may never return to their homes. Continue reading →

Not So Neat: Whiskey Distilleries Spread Fungus

Whiskey barrels

The citizens of Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding area have recently sued the local Whiskey distilleries because of a “black gunk” that was found over the roofs of their houses and cars. As a result, property damage and negligence lawsuits have been filed against factories along the “Bourbon Trail.” The main cause of the sooty germination is a naturally occurring fungus that latches onto ethanol, which many distilleries continue to emit. Though monetary damages have not been specified many are asking the companies to reevaluate their environmental policies. Read more