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Full-Text Articles in Law

Let The Sun Shine: Methods For Expansion Of Small-Scale Solar Electricity To Reduce Fossil Fuel Dependence, Ease Financial Energy Burdens, And Enhance Community Resiliency, Kara Consalo Jan 2024

Let The Sun Shine: Methods For Expansion Of Small-Scale Solar Electricity To Reduce Fossil Fuel Dependence, Ease Financial Energy Burdens, And Enhance Community Resiliency, Kara Consalo

Journal Publications

With so many benefits to solar electricity generation, it behooves state and local governments across America to explore laws and policies which encourage small-scale solar deployment. To help guide development of such laws and policies, Part I of this Article will explain the mechanics and the financing involved with the installation, operation, and maintenance of an on-site solar system. Part II explores the unique benefits and challenges of small-scale solar usage in low-income and weather vulnerable communities. Part III explains the legal and financial governance of American electric companies and how existing frameworks may lead utilities to erect hurdles to …


A Shift In The Wind: Siting More Wind Power Projects Along Texas' 367-Mile Coast Of Gulf Winds, And Mitigating Potential Risk To Migratory Bird Populations, Oscar Burkholder Jan 2016

A Shift In The Wind: Siting More Wind Power Projects Along Texas' 367-Mile Coast Of Gulf Winds, And Mitigating Potential Risk To Migratory Bird Populations, Oscar Burkholder

Student Works

Wind farm development in Texas is surging, making wind power Texas’ hottest energy prospect. Texas currently produces more wind power than any other state by a significant margin, and it keeps blowing through major milestones almost every year. Part II of this paper discusses the relationship between Texas and wind energy, examining the success of onshore wind energy in Texas, the uncertainty and challenges of offshore wind energy in the Gulf of Mexico, and possible room for improvement in Texas’ onshore wind farms. Part III analyzes Texas’ current legal framework, evaluating key federal involvement within Texas’ wind energy industry, and …


How The Public Trust Doctrine's Fiduciary Duty Requirement Requires States' Proactive Response To Promote Offshore Power Generation, Andrew S. Ballentine Jan 2016

How The Public Trust Doctrine's Fiduciary Duty Requirement Requires States' Proactive Response To Promote Offshore Power Generation, Andrew S. Ballentine

Student Works

As the earth continues to warm and the impacts of that warming trend loom larger, the question becomes whether and to what degree do governments have responsibility to respond to that threat. The potential range of threats and impacts from climate change vary greatly and governments’ ability to respond, effectively and efficiently, exceeds that of the individual and therefore must fall on the greater collection of individuals. In the United States, one way that the collection of individuals is represented, albeit with limitations, is by the government that operates for the collective public good. This Article focuses on what responsibility …


Green Energy In Indian Country As A Double-Edged Sword For Native Americans: Drawing On The Inter-American And Colombian Legal Systems To Redefine The Right To Consultation, Diana Coronel David Apr 2015

Green Energy In Indian Country As A Double-Edged Sword For Native Americans: Drawing On The Inter-American And Colombian Legal Systems To Redefine The Right To Consultation, Diana Coronel David

Student Works

Energy is a key component in the redress of climate change evils and the United States has one of the highest per capita energy consumption in the world. The federal government’s goal is to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and double its wind and solar electricity generation by 2025. The development of renewable energy projects is to a great extent tied to Indian Country. This is highly important for Indian tribes as an empowering mechanism. Such projects could represent new sources of income for tribes whose traditional subsistence-based lifestyles have been impacted by climate change. Renewable energy projects in …


Framing Water Policy In A Carbon Affected And Carbon Constrained Environment, Robert H. Abrams, Noah D. Hall Jan 2010

Framing Water Policy In A Carbon Affected And Carbon Constrained Environment, Robert H. Abrams, Noah D. Hall

Journal Publications

Climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions is substantially altering water availability while increasing water demand. Shifts in domestic energy policy and production, while needed to confront the challenge of climate change, may further stress the nation's water resources. These changes and new demands will be most severe in regions that are already experiencing water stresses and conflicts. This article examines the extent of the changes in water supply and demand by assessing how water conflicts will be addressed in the four overarching water use categories: water for population security, water for ecological security, water for energy security, and water …


Kyoto Or Not, Here We Come: The Promise And Perils Of The Piecemeal Approach To Climate Change Regulation In The United States, Randall S. Abate Jan 2006

Kyoto Or Not, Here We Come: The Promise And Perils Of The Piecemeal Approach To Climate Change Regulation In The United States, Randall S. Abate

Journal Publications

Climate change is a pervasive, yet controversial, problem. During the six months leading up to the Kyoto negotiations, President Clinton faced a major challenge when he tried to rally support at home for binding reductions on GHG emissions. Despite political and industry concerns about its potential economic impacts, the United States signed the Kyoto Protocol; however, the Bush administration withdrew from the Protocol in 2001. Part I of the Article analyzes the U.S. federal regulatory approach to climate change. Part II explores representative state, regional, and local attempts to combat climate change, whereas Part III describes voluntary compliance initiatives in …