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The Role Of Science And Engineering In Water Regulation Over The Past 100 Years, James R. May, Patrick Clary Nov 2008

The Role Of Science And Engineering In Water Regulation Over The Past 100 Years, James R. May, Patrick Clary

James R. May

This article explores how scientific and engineering principles are inexorably linked to the regulation of water. Scientists and engineers first discovered the link between disease and water sources in the mid-19th century. Over the years, scientists and engineers have led the way to identifying water quality problems and their causes. These discoveries have directly contributed to the scope of water regulation in the United States and elsewhere. In addition, changes in water quality regulation have dictated the need for increasingly sophisticated water treatment technologies and engineers have been at the forefront of the development of these water control technologies. This …


Constitutional Climate Change In The Courts, James R. May Jan 2008

Constitutional Climate Change In The Courts, James R. May

James R. May

We have entered an interesting constitutional era, one in which a rising sea level will help to buoy a rising tide of climate litigation, the leading edge of which lies constitutional jurisprudence as applied to the political question doctrine, preemption, dormant commerce and compact clauses and standing. In 2007 most of it involves either state action (e.g., to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles or require climate friendly energy production), or state causes of action (e.g., public or private nuisance). In 2007, the trend was toward dismissing climate-tort cases as presenting political questions. Notably, in Mass. v. EPA, …


Climate Change, Constitutional Consignment, And The Political Question Doctrine, James R. May Dec 2007

Climate Change, Constitutional Consignment, And The Political Question Doctrine, James R. May

James R. May

Recently states and individuals have turned to federal common law causes of action to provide equitable and legal relief for climate change. Thus far, every federal court to consider these claims has held that they raise non-justiciable political questions consigned to the coordinate branches. These courts reason that federal courts lack jurisdiction over climate cases because climate change is textually committed elsewhere, there are no judicial standards to apply, and the elected branches have yet to render an initial policy determination about the subject. This article concludes that these courts either misapply or misapprehend the doctrine. It concedes that federal …


Of Happy Incidents, Climate, Federalism, And Preemption, James R. May Dec 2007

Of Happy Incidents, Climate, Federalism, And Preemption, James R. May

James R. May

This Article examines the shape of things to come in the overlapping realm of federalism and preemption. It questions whether and to what extent notions of federalism shape how federal law - or the absence of it - preempts states from taking measures to address climate change. A burgeoning body of legal scholarship mulls whether federal law ought to preempt state action. There is yet relatively spare legal scholarship on preemption reflecting recent developments in the courts and at EPA. Part One explains how federalism principles have shaped responses to climate change. It observes how allowing states to take steps …


Constitutional Law: 2008 Annual Report, James R. May Dec 2007

Constitutional Law: 2008 Annual Report, James R. May

James R. May

No abstract provided.