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Full-Text Articles in Energy and Utilities Law

The Privatization Of Antarctica, Leonid A. Krasnozhon, Pedro A. Benitez, Walter E. Block Mar 2015

The Privatization Of Antarctica, Leonid A. Krasnozhon, Pedro A. Benitez, Walter E. Block

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

The seventh continent, Antarctica, is a no man’s land in terms of economic development. This is not due to its harsh weather conditions. Parts of Alaska, Canada and Russia are almost equally inhospitable. Rather, this Article argues that Antarctica’s economic isolation is the result of political paralysis and a lack of appreciation for private property rights. This Article makes the case for adding Antarctica to the family of nations, whether as one or several countries.


Implementation Of The Eu Directive On Environmental Impact Assessment In The Czech Republic: How Long Can The Wolf Be Tricked?, Veronika Tomoszkova Mar 2015

Implementation Of The Eu Directive On Environmental Impact Assessment In The Czech Republic: How Long Can The Wolf Be Tricked?, Veronika Tomoszkova

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the former Czechoslovakia experienced the most enthusiastic wave of environmental law drafting in its history. The Czech Act on Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA Act”) was among the first new environmental statutes adopted already in 1992 with the intention to harmonize Czechoslovakian law with European Union (“EU”) law and to prevent exploitation and pollution of the environment in Czechoslovakia, which in the early 1990s counted for one of the worst in the world. The hardship of transition process that hit Czechoslovakia in 1992 caused a shift from enthusiastic pro-active environmental movement towards more pragmatic approach …


An Increase In Beach Reconstruction Projects May Mean A Decrease In Property Rights: The Need For A Multi-Factor Balancing Test When Protecting Waterfront Property, Amy Forman Mar 2015

An Increase In Beach Reconstruction Projects May Mean A Decrease In Property Rights: The Need For A Multi-Factor Balancing Test When Protecting Waterfront Property, Amy Forman

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

In recent years, many states have struggled to come up with an adequate solution to the negative effects of climate change, specifically rising sea levels and severe storms. The most common and successful method of protection, erecting barriers on the waterfront, not only raises its own environmental concerns, but also forces the government to invade on a homeowner’s property rights for the sake of protecting the beach. Recent cases such as the Borough of Harvey Cedars v. Karan, illustrate that when courts abandon traditional property rights, it becomes easier to implement protective measures and save their waterfront properties. This protection …


Masthead And Front Matter Mar 2015

Masthead And Front Matter

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

No abstract provided.


Rising Seas, Receding Ethics? Why Real Estate Professionals Should Seek The Moral High Ground, Keith W. Rizzardi Mar 2015

Rising Seas, Receding Ethics? Why Real Estate Professionals Should Seek The Moral High Ground, Keith W. Rizzardi

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Despite the scientific consensus, some political leaders in the United States deny the need for policy making in response to sea level rise. Even in coastal Florida and Virginia, where communities face acute risks of flooding and economic damage, the problem has been denied. Land use development and real estate professionals, when discussing the subject, have a responsibility to do better than our political leaders. In fact, the ethical codes of the professions – law, architecture, engineering, planning, real estate, and corporate compliance – all demand honesty. Material facts must be disclosed, and professionals cannot conceal truth, particularly if it …


Necessary Change: Re-Calculating Just Compensation For Environmental Benefits, Scott Salmon Mar 2015

Necessary Change: Re-Calculating Just Compensation For Environmental Benefits, Scott Salmon

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

This Note is about the recent New Jersey Supreme Court case, Borough of Harvey Cedars v. Karan, and how other courts should adopt its holding of allowing all reasonably certain and calculable benefits to be considered in determining partial takings just compensation. Furthermore, it addresses the impact that the decision will have on environmental takings and its importance to the future of both property and environmental law.


The Shifting Use Of The So-Remote-As-To-Be-Negligible Standard For Qualified Conservation Contributions, Ashley H. Waterbury Mar 2015

The Shifting Use Of The So-Remote-As-To-Be-Negligible Standard For Qualified Conservation Contributions, Ashley H. Waterbury

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Qualified conservation contributions, also known as conservation easements, have become a subject of close scrutiny under the Internal Revenue Service within the past decade. One reason for such scrutiny is that conditions are being imposed on these contributions, testing the perpetuity requirement for conservation easement deductions. In order for a condition on the donation to survive, the condition must be “so remote as to be negligible.” The judicial interpretation of the so-remote-as-to-be-negligible standard has fluctuated since its addition to the Treasury Regulations in 1939. Most recently, the Tax Court in Graev v. Commissioner, explored the meaning of the so-remote-as-to-be-negligible standard …


Moving Military Energy “Behind The Fence:” Renewable Energy Generation On U.S. Defense Lands, Cameron E. Tommey Mar 2015

Moving Military Energy “Behind The Fence:” Renewable Energy Generation On U.S. Defense Lands, Cameron E. Tommey

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

The United States Department of Defense stands as the world’s single largest consumer of energy—domestic consumption alone by the Department amounts to nearly one percent of the United States’ total energy consumption and nearly eighty percent of the energy consumed by the Federal Government. Although a cadre of statutes, Executive Orders, and agency priorities set high goals for the introduction of renewable energy into the Department’s portfolio, it has historically failed to meet both its target for reducing facility energy use and its target for renewables integration. This Note suggests moving the Department’s energy production “behind the fence,” fixing technology …


Table Of Contents Mar 2015

Table Of Contents

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

No abstract provided.


Calling Foul: Deficiencies In Approaches To Environmental Whistleblowers And Suggested Reforms, Emily Becker Sep 2014

Calling Foul: Deficiencies In Approaches To Environmental Whistleblowers And Suggested Reforms, Emily Becker

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Whistleblowers could facilitate the regulation of the environmental sector at little to no cost to the taxpayer. Often, potential whistleblowers have timely access to information that would enable them to avert or minimize environmental damage and to protect our communities. However, existing federal and state regulations fail to adequately protect environmental whistleblowers and to incentivize potential environmental whistleblowers. These failures unjustly penalize whistleblowers and discourage potential whistleblowers. This article uses research findings and a case study to illuminate these failings and to argue for reforms that would better protect and incentivize whistleblowers


Table Of Contents Sep 2014

Table Of Contents

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

No abstract provided.


Masthead & Front Matter Sep 2014

Masthead & Front Matter

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Masthead & Front Matter


Billionaires, Birds, And Environmental Brawls: Reconceptualizing Energy Easements, Nadia B. Ahmad Sep 2014

Billionaires, Birds, And Environmental Brawls: Reconceptualizing Energy Easements, Nadia B. Ahmad

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

In the substantial power outages associated with Hurricane Sandy and the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes and Colorado floods, which left millions without power, the United States witnessed the insufficiency of its existing energy infrastructure. The lack of access to reliable energy widens the cleavage between the rich and poor, particularly in times of disaster and crisis. Policymakers and government regulators involved with long distance energy transmission projects have not adequately instituted laws and policies for existing and future energy access. This Article holds that current regulations, practices, and norms for long distance energy transmission may be doomed because of complications with …


Vulnerability And Power In The Age Of The Anthropocene, Angela P. Harris Sep 2014

Vulnerability And Power In The Age Of The Anthropocene, Angela P. Harris

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Feminist legal theorist Martha Fineman has suggested that recognition of universal human “vulnerability” should be the starting point for thinking about the state’s obligations to its citizens. This Article argues that Fineman’s concept of vulnerability is valuable for situating political and legal theory within a concern for the natural world. We live in what some scientists have dubbed the Anthropocene—an age in which our collective behavior has serious implications for the flourishing of all life on earth. The concept of “ecological vulnerability” recognizes that humans are vulnerable not only because they age, become ill, and die, but because their survival …


The Imos Climate Change Challenge: Application Of The Principle Of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities And Respective Capabilities, Stathis N. Palassis Sep 2014

The Imos Climate Change Challenge: Application Of The Principle Of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities And Respective Capabilities, Stathis N. Palassis

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Since 1997 the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency responsible for the regulation of the international shipping sector, has been developing rules for the reduction of the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. Significant difficulties have, however, emerged in the creation of appropriate economic instruments for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, bringing to the forefront the application of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (“CBBDRC”). A key principle within international climate change law, CBDDRC allows developing States, least developed States and the most environmentally vulnerable to be differentially treated based on their special situation and needs. Developing …


Ferc Anti-Manipulation Enforcement And The Barclays Proceeding: What Factors Should Regulated Entities Consider Before Deciding To Follow Barclays' Path To Federal Court?, Matthew Hale Sep 2014

Ferc Anti-Manipulation Enforcement And The Barclays Proceeding: What Factors Should Regulated Entities Consider Before Deciding To Follow Barclays' Path To Federal Court?, Matthew Hale

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Energy regulation is not a new topic, but after the Enron scandal, Congress made significant changes. The changes were embodied in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. One major change was to FERC's ability to hand down penalties for market manipulation. Recently, FERC has been aggressively enforcing its power and anticipates anti-manipulation enforcement will be a point of emphasis in the future. The first entity to challenge FERC's power in federal court is Barclays. The Barclays case, other recent enforcement actions, and the regulations FERC has promulgated provide a guide to regulated entities about how and when they should challenge …


Water You Waiting For? Balancing Private Rights And Public Necessity In The South Atlantic Wetlands, Alison Leary Sep 2014

Water You Waiting For? Balancing Private Rights And Public Necessity In The South Atlantic Wetlands, Alison Leary

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

A healthy and robust network of wetlands protects coastal communities from storm damage caused by hurricanes. Unfortunately, development pressures threaten wetlands along the South Atlantic coast, the region most susceptible to an increased risk of climate change induced hurricanes. If these wetlands are not protected from destruction, coastal communities will be left without a buffer against flooding, storm damage, and sea level rise. In addition to putting the public at large in physical danger, significant environmental justice concerns accompany the failure to protect coastal wetlands. In order to protect these ever-diminishing resources, federal and state law makers have enacted regulatory …


Fracking Preemption Litigation, James K. Pickle Sep 2014

Fracking Preemption Litigation, James K. Pickle

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Fracking is not a new technology, but it only recently came to the forefront of energy industry news. Fracking’s recent fame has been both positive and negative. Fracking proponents have lauded the economic and environmental benefits of the process. They cite the process’ ability to extract formerly inaccessible oil and natural gas, which reduces the U.S.’s demand for foreign oil and natural gas and reduces the use of coal. In contrast, fracking opponents state fracking damages the environment by diluting drinking water with harmful chemicals, generating emissions, and creating general nuisances for communities. They believe fracking’s harmful impacts clearly outweigh …


Dr. Carb Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying About The Feds And Love States’ Rights, Dan Strong Sep 2014

Dr. Carb Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying About The Feds And Love States’ Rights, Dan Strong

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Climate change is one of the largest environmental problems the world is currently facing. At the forefront of the climate change issue is the problem of carbon emissions. Environmentalists were hopeful that a national regulatory structure would be created with the enactment of the Clean Air Act in the 1970s. Since its enactment, however, it is clear the Clean Air Act was not the solution to the national carbon emissions problem environmentalists were hoping for. With the federal government failing to act, states have taken it upon themselves to regulate carbon emissions. California, with its enactment of the California Low …


Europe Should Dump Cap-And-Trade In Favor Of Carbon Tax With Reinvestment To Reduce Global Emissions, Stephen Sewalk Apr 2014

Europe Should Dump Cap-And-Trade In Favor Of Carbon Tax With Reinvestment To Reduce Global Emissions, Stephen Sewalk

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

It is time for the European Union to dump the EU-ETS cap-and trade system, as it is not working. By adopting a carbon tax with reinvestment, the European Union (EU) could reduce its economy-wide emissions by forty-eight percent (and emissions from buildings and utilities by sixty-five percent) within twenty years while automatically putting in place a border tax adjustment. By adopting the carbon tax with reinvestment, the EU's trading partners would be heavily encouraged to adopt the same system, thereby dramatically reducing global emissions. This adoption would occur much like the EU adopting the Value-Added Tax and 150 countries following …


Climate Engineering Field Research: The Favorable Setting Of International Environmental Law, Jesse Reynolds Apr 2014

Climate Engineering Field Research: The Favorable Setting Of International Environmental Law, Jesse Reynolds

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

As forecasts for climate change and its impacts have become more dire, climate engineering proposals have come under increasing consideration and are presently moving toward field trials. This article examines the relevant international environmental law, distinguishing between climate engineering research and deployment. It also emphasizes the climate change context of these proposals and the enabling function of law. Extant international environmental law generally favors such field tests, in large part because, even though field trials may present uncertain risks to humans and the environment, climate engineering may reduce the greater risks of climate change. Notably, this favorable legal setting is …


Masthead & Front Matter Apr 2014

Masthead & Front Matter

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

No abstract provided.


Table Of Contents Apr 2014

Table Of Contents

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

No abstract provided.


Oil And Gas Law: From Habendum To Patent Law, Emir Crowne, Barbero C. Michael Apr 2014

Oil And Gas Law: From Habendum To Patent Law, Emir Crowne, Barbero C. Michael

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

This article outlines and addresses the specific patent issues affecting the oil and gas industry. In so doing, it argues that the business realities of the industry, coupled with its fast-paced environment, make it a perfect example of why the current patent prohibition against professional skills and business methods must be reformed.


The Walking Dead Or Weekend At Bernie’S? How The Public Trust Doctrine Threatens Alternative Energy Development, Michael Julius Motta Jr. Apr 2014

The Walking Dead Or Weekend At Bernie’S? How The Public Trust Doctrine Threatens Alternative Energy Development, Michael Julius Motta Jr.

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

One of the oldest doctrines of environmental law, the public trust doctrine, is sufficiently ambiguous that it risks threatening widespread adoptions of alternative energy sources such as wind energy. Because of this, the public trust doctrine threatens the protection of the environment in the name of protection of the environment. Yet, the public trust doctrine and future energy policy should be complementary and not exclusionary of each other. In light of this, whether an agency has public trust authority should be determined based on six factors: the legal authority of state fiduciaries; due diligence by state fiduciaries in determining if …


Table Of Contents Sep 2013

Table Of Contents

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

No abstract provided.


Masthead & Front Matter Sep 2013

Masthead & Front Matter

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

No abstract provided.


A Napoleonic Approach To Climate Change: The Geoengineering Branch, Anthony E. Chavez Sep 2013

A Napoleonic Approach To Climate Change: The Geoengineering Branch, Anthony E. Chavez

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Climate change is an inevitable consequence of human greenhouse gas emissions. Without substantial changes in anthropogenic causes of climate change, there will be severe negative impacts on our planet. Complete abolition of greenhouse gas emissions, however, is not possible, nor will it necessarily stop the negative impacts of climate change. Therefore, substantial research must be done in geoengineering to understand better how we can positively act to avert significant climate change. Given the practical difficulties and potential effects, there must be comprehensive oversight. Currently, differing national laws makes this difficult. Additionally the United States laws do not properly cover climate …


Environmental Overreach: The Eu’S Carbon Tax On International Aviation, Surya Gablin Gunasekara Sep 2013

Environmental Overreach: The Eu’S Carbon Tax On International Aviation, Surya Gablin Gunasekara

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

On November 27, 2012—without the fanfare of a Rose Garden ceremony—President Obama signed into law a bill that forbids United States airlines from participating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (“EU ETS”). Environmental organizations bemoaned the President’s decision after having urged him to veto the bill. Supporters of the law hailed the passage as a win for American sovereignty, preventing an illegitimate and disingenuous environmental tax on U.S. carriers and passengers. This article addresses the aviation industry’s role in global climate change, and offers an in-depth analysis of the EU ETS and the European Commission’s decision to include international …


Clean Air V. Electric Reliability: The Case Of The Potomac River Generating Station, James W. Moeller Sep 2013

Clean Air V. Electric Reliability: The Case Of The Potomac River Generating Station, James W. Moeller

Washington and Lee Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment

Environmental activists considered the shutdown of the Potomac Station a victory for environmental sustainability and a victory for the cause of clean air. Additionally, citizens of Alexandria, Virginia found this to be a victory over the “outdated” polluting coal burning power plant. Looking at the history of the Potomac Station, however, shows that without significant increases in transmission capacity to the mid-Atlantic, the Potomac Station could never have been shut down. This article addresses the case of the Potomac Station and the role of the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the …