Course Description:
For decades energy has been one of the most critical state, national, and global issues. This class is an overview of the legal and policy issues associated with the development and use of energy resources. This course intersects the disciplines of environmental law, natural resources law, and publicly regulated industries. The class will study the environmental and resource management issues relating to solar, wind, hydroelectric, coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power. It will also cover the causes and regulation of global climate change and its impact on the energy sector. The class will study the regulation of the electricity industry, including the movement toward deregulation and the causes of the 2001 California energy crisis. The course will examine international energy issues, including the regulation of petroleum. This class will be of value to students interested in environmental law, natural resources law, water law, administrative law, and international law.
