Energy and the Law

Spring 2010
LAW 607
Credits: 2

Instructor: Jennifer Gleason

Energy and the Law will cover the laws, key regulations and selected cases and case studies on the following topics: energy policy, regulation and land status/ownership issues, oil (on & offshore), natural gas (including coalbed methane), mining (coal and hard rock, i.e., perhaps compare/contrast SMCRA with the 1872 Mining Law, etc), nuclear power, hydropower and alternative energy sources (solar, tidal, wind, etc.). In addition to an exploration of black letter law, I think that the overreaching themes and questions could include climate change issues, political stability, and the formation of new energy economies.

Assignment for Jan. 12

Casebook: Bosselman, et al., Energy, Economics and the Environment (2d ed. 2006)

Read from casebook: 13-25, 50-63, 67-69, 77; and spend time researching President-elect Obama's energy policy and Governor Kulongoski's energy agenda for the 2009 legislature. What federal and state (Oregon) initiatives do you expect to see related to energy issues in the first part of 2009?

Be prepared to discuss what you have learned.