Plain Meaning, Precedent, And Metaphysics: Interpreting The “Addition” Element Of The Clean Water Act Offense,
2014
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
Plain Meaning, Precedent, And Metaphysics: Interpreting The “Addition” Element Of The Clean Water Act Offense, Jeffrey G. Miller
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The Clean Water Act (CWA) prohibits addition of any pollutant to navigable waters from any point source by any person without a permit. Surprisingly, the first element of this prohibition, “addition,” remains undefined. It has been interpreted broadly by regulators and judges to expand the prohibition to such an extent that it threatens to capture innocent people. EPA in particular has confused “addition” with “navigable waters” to such an extent that it threatens to eviscerate half of the CWA’s regulatory strategies and programs: water quality standards and the § 404 program protecting wetlands. This Article examines the interpretation of “addition” …
Coal And Commerce: Local Review Of The Gateway Pacific Coal Terminal,
2014
Seattle University School of Law
Coal And Commerce: Local Review Of The Gateway Pacific Coal Terminal, Henry W. Mcgee, David A. Bricklin, Bryan Telegin
Faculty Articles
This article examines the potential constitutional law issues involved in local review of the proposed coal terminals. It explores these issues in the specific context of Whatcom County's review of the Gateway Pacific Terminal. Part II provides a brief overview of the history of the Gateway Pacific terminal. Part III explores issues associated with the facility under the dormant Commerce Clause. Finally, this article concludes that there are few serious issues associated with Whatcom County's review of the proposal that would violate the dormant Commerce Clause. Moreover, Whatcom County will have a great deal of authority to approve or deny …
Taxation Of Series Llcs In Texas: Bigger Isn't Always Better In The Lone Star State.,
2014
St. Mary's University
Taxation Of Series Llcs In Texas: Bigger Isn't Always Better In The Lone Star State., Alyson Outenreath
St. Mary's Law Journal
Series Limited Liability Companies (series LLCs) are not yet widely popular as an entity of choice; but just as it took many years for traditional LLCs to become widely used, there could also come a day when series LLCs are the “go-to” entity of choice. One development in the law that will aid in this process is greater certainty in state taxation of series LLCs. Texas has provided some guidance with respect to the taxation of series LLCs for Texas franchise tax purposes after the comptroller’s issuance of Comptroller Private Letter Ruling 201005184L. In this ruling, the comptroller concluded that …
Power Play: An Examination Of Texas's Anti-Slapp Statute And Its Protection Of Free Speech Through Accelerated Dismissal.,
2014
St. Mary's University
Power Play: An Examination Of Texas's Anti-Slapp Statute And Its Protection Of Free Speech Through Accelerated Dismissal., Dena M. Richardson
St. Mary's Law Journal
Abstract Forthcoming.
The Texas Anti-Indemnity Act.,
2014
St. Mary's University
The Texas Anti-Indemnity Act., Taylor R. Beaver
St. Mary's Law Journal
Owners, general contractors, and subcontractors enter into agreements to ameliorate risk amongst those exercising control. Some of these include hold-harmless agreements, indemnity agreements, releases, and agreements conferring additional insured status to others. Typically, parties enjoy freedom to contract as they wish. Texas has long recognized, as a matter of public policy, a party’s right to draft contracts however it sees fit. Historically, risk-shifting agreements were enforceable if they passed the fair notice requirements, meaning the express negligence rule and the conspicuousness test. The trend in recent years, however, has been to limit exculpatory clauses. In 2011, the Texas Legislature effectively …
Texas Remedies In Equity For Breach Of Fiduciary Duty: Disgorgement, Forfeiture, And Fracturing.,
2014
St. Mary's University
Texas Remedies In Equity For Breach Of Fiduciary Duty: Disgorgement, Forfeiture, And Fracturing., George P. Roach
St. Mary's Law Journal
The remedy of fee forfeiture against lawyer fiduciaries has been marginalized. Following Burrow v. Arce, Texas trial courts have frequently applied a no-fracturing rule that effectively bars a claim for breach of fiduciary duty against an attorney. Although the court in Burrow held actual damages were not a prerequisite for fee forfeiture, many Texas trial courts have not followed that precedent. Most Texas trial courts require the plaintiff to prove actual damages to survive a summary judgment motion. Others have openly asserted that not all legitimate claims for breach of fiduciary duty should be allowed as an alternative claim to …
The Dual Role Of A Chief Justice.,
2014
St. Mary's University
The Dual Role Of A Chief Justice., Catherine Stone
St. Mary's Law Journal
Notwithstanding the growing trend of high-dollar judicial election campaigns, many citizens do not know what appellate judges and appellate courts do. Faced with the reality of obscurity and the ever-present potential of failed reelection campaigns, appellate judges work each day to fulfill the mission of appellate courts: to efficiently resolve the legal disputes presented in appeals from lower court decisions with written opinions that are well reasoned, thoroughly researched, and intellectually honest. It is the responsibility of the Chief Justice to promote that core mission with all justices on the court, thereby working to best serve the legal needs of …
The Aftermath Of Mexico's Fuel-Theft Epidemic: Examining The Texas Black Market And The Conspiracy To Trade In Stolen Condensate.,
2014
St. Mary's University
The Aftermath Of Mexico's Fuel-Theft Epidemic: Examining The Texas Black Market And The Conspiracy To Trade In Stolen Condensate., Luke B. Reinhart
St. Mary's Law Journal
Organized crime has infiltrated the oil patch, creating a theft network with an annual value of $2–$4 billion. Over the past decade, Mexican drug cartels have plundered mass amounts of natural gas condensate produced by Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex)—the governing Mexican agency for production and export of hydrocarbons. The Mexican government has not sat by idly. Pemex’s production losses have skyrocketed from $300 million, between 2006 and 2011, to an estimated $585 million in 2013 alone. Considering derivative costs associated with these thefts, Pemex’s annual losses reach into the billions. Diversified and driven by profits derived from the United States black …
The Extraterritorial Application Of The Fifth Amendment: A Need For Expanded Constitutional Protections.,
2014
St. Mary's University
The Extraterritorial Application Of The Fifth Amendment: A Need For Expanded Constitutional Protections., Guinevere E. Moore, Robert T. Moore
St. Mary's Law Journal
Since 2010, there have been forty-three cases—and ten deaths—involving the use of deadly force by United States agents against Mexican nationals along the border. Currently, the official policy is that officers may still use deadly force where they “reasonably believe”—based upon the totality of the circumstances—that they are in “imminent danger” of death or serious injury. Officers were found reasonable in using deadly force in situations as mundane as young boys throwing rocks. In light of these actions, the Mexican government has raised serious concerns about the disproportionate use of force by United States agents. The question now raised is …
In Pursuit Of Just Compensation In Texas: Assessing Damages In Takings Cases Using The Property's Tax-Appraised Value.,
2014
St. Mary's University
In Pursuit Of Just Compensation In Texas: Assessing Damages In Takings Cases Using The Property's Tax-Appraised Value., Alexander B. Lutzky
St. Mary's Law Journal
Abstract Forthcoming.
Energy Versus Property,
2014
University of Colorado Law School
Energy Versus Property, Michael Pappas
Publications
This Article is the first to detail the balance legislatures and courts have struck between private property rights and the compelling public interest in energy production. By examining how property rights have consistently yielded to energy development from colonial times to the most recent decisions involving hydraulic fracturing ("fracking'), it identifies a coherent energy/property balance that has shaped property expectations to accommodate energy needs. The Article then applies this insight to current disputes pitting aggressive renewable energy policies-such as nuisance immunity or mandatory installations on private property-- against fundamental property expectations: the right to exclude and the right to use …
Protecting Your Environment, Exacerbating Justice: Avoiding "Mandate Havens",
2014
UC Hastings College of the Law
Protecting Your Environment, Exacerbating Justice: Avoiding "Mandate Havens", David Takacs
Faculty Scholarship
No abstract provided.
The Evolution Of Federal Ea In Canada: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?,
2014
Dalhousie University, Schulich School of Law
The Evolution Of Federal Ea In Canada: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?, Meinhard Doelle
Research Papers, Working Papers, Conference Papers
This working paper provides a brief history of federal EA in Canada, and then offers an overview of the federal environmental assessment process (CEAA) before and after major changes introduced in 2012. The paper concludes with a brief summary of issues raised in two judicial review applications recently filed with respect to the application of CEAA 2012.
Solving The Multimillion Dollar Constitutional Puzzle Surrounding State "Sustainable" Energy Policy,
2014
Suffolk University Law School
Solving The Multimillion Dollar Constitutional Puzzle Surrounding State "Sustainable" Energy Policy, Steven Ferrey
Suffolk University Law School Faculty Works
The U.S. confronted a Constitutional impasse: The ability of state government to enact sustainable energy statutes and regulations is significantly restricted by successful recent Constitutional legal challenges to states actions This article identifies a solution to implement legally ‘bulletproof’ sustainable regulation at the state level, circumventing the major Constitutional impasse now frustrating U.S renewable energy policy
U.S. sustainable energy policy is principally implemented through state law and regulation, through five types of state programs. As implemented, these five policies are now being challenged as unconstitutional and improper exercises of state government authority. There is a legally “bright” jurisdictional line nowhere …
Chicago's Pet Coke Problem: A Dusty Conundrum,
2014
Loyola University Chicago, School of Law
Chicago's Pet Coke Problem: A Dusty Conundrum, Conor Desmond
Public Interest Law Reporter
No abstract provided.
Table Of Contents,
2014
Loyola University Chicago, School of Law
Table Of Contents, Public Interest Law Reporter
Public Interest Law Reporter
No abstract provided.
Fixing Education Spending In Illinois Through Efficient Targeted Funding,
2014
Loyola University Chicago, School of Law
Fixing Education Spending In Illinois Through Efficient Targeted Funding, Conor Desmond
Public Interest Law Reporter
Educational attainment has been tied to income levels, employment, health, and numerous other benefits. Economic research indicates that if we focus our funding on programs targeting children from birth to age five, the returns on the public investment will result in higher returns than if it was invested in the open market. In fact, fifteen US States spent over $400 million on pre-k education alone in 2013. Illinois spent approximately $300 million in the 2014 Fiscal year. Through this paper, it will be shown that through effective funding of programs that develop cognitive skills in children aged three to four, …
To Whom Should The Job Of Solving Inequity In School Funding Schemes Fall?,
2014
Loyola University Chicago, School of Law
To Whom Should The Job Of Solving Inequity In School Funding Schemes Fall?, Calli Leigh Burnett
Public Interest Law Reporter
No abstract provided.
The Impact Of Illinois School Funding Reform: An Overview Of District Variance,
2014
Loyola University Chicago, School of Law
The Impact Of Illinois School Funding Reform: An Overview Of District Variance, Jordan Fries
Public Interest Law Reporter
No abstract provided.
A Step In The Right Direction, But Sb16 Bobby Otter Comes Up Short,
2014
Loyola University Chicago, School of Law
A Step In The Right Direction, But Sb16 Bobby Otter Comes Up Short, Ralph Martire, Bobby Otter
Public Interest Law Reporter
No abstract provided.
