Environmental & Energy Law Program |
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This issue of the newsletter describes a new LL.M. scholarship, highlights several recent program events, and celebrates significant achievements and activities of our faculty and students. Additionally, it offers a preview of exciting upcoming program events in the spring semester.
Randall Abate
Assistant Dean for Environmental Law Studies
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New LLM Scholarship Available on Ocean Equity |
The Environmental and Energy Law program is delighted to become the first in the nation to offer a scholarship to support one Master of Laws (LLM) degree candidate to undertake a thesis project focused on ocean equity. Ocean equity centers on safeguarding the rights of communities disproportionately affected by environmental challenges. Effective in the 2025–2026 academic year, the successful candidate will receive a $40,000 merit-based scholarship, funded by the Ocean Nexus program at the University of Rhode Island. The funding is also available to cover one candidate in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 academic years. Interested applicants should submit their LLM application to the Graduate and International Programs Office no later than March 31, 2025. For more information visit the GW Point Source website.
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Professors Glicksman and Hammond Co-Author a Public Letter on the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 |
Professors Robert L. Glicksman and Emily Hammond are among the co-authors of a public letter addressed to congressional leaders regarding the proposed Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA) of 2024. This letter is part of a larger effort by legal scholars to influence the ongoing debate surrounding permitting reform and its potential effects on U.S. energy policy. While the bill includes some provisions that would facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy, the scholars caution that, overall, the EPRA could have “at best mixed results.” Specifically, they argue that the bill could promote increased leasing and extraction of fossil fuels from federal public lands. Such activities, they contend, would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions, undermining efforts to combat climate change and complicating efforts to meet the nation’s climate goals. Fossil fuel-related activities would also exacerbate pollution in both air and water. Finally, under the guise of permitting reform, the bill would significantly weaken NEPA review, despite the absence of compelling evidence that NEPA is the cause of most permitting delays. To learn more about the legal experts' views, visit the Center for Progressive Reform website.
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Professor Emily Hammond Appointed to DOE Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee |
The Secretary of Energy has appointed Professor Emily Hammond to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC). The committee plays a key advisory role on matters related to regulatory and enforcement activities at the agency—areas that were among Professor Hammond’s responsibilities during their tenure at the DOE early in the Biden administration.
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Receiving Communities: A Workshop to Advance a Research & Policy Agenda |
Co-sponsored by the GW Environmental and Energy Law Program, Adaptation Leader, and the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future
On February 6, 2025, "Receiving Communities: A Workshop to Advance a Research & Policy Agenda," was held at GW Law, featuring experts from various fields to discuss climate-induced displacement. The event showcased Adaptation Leader's draft research and policy agenda, which addresses the need for proactive adaptation strategies. The workshop included discussions on topics such as climate havens, local adaptation strategies, and scenario planning for future climate mobility. Keynote speakers Hannah Teicher, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and James May, Richard S. Righter Distinguished Professor of Law at Washburn University School of Law, provided insights into the challenges of relocation and the legal protections needed for displaced communities. The workshop promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, aiming to shape policies that ensure long-term sustainability for both displaced and receiving communities. A reception followed the workshop, offering further networking opportunities and discussions about future collaborations. Visit the GW Point Source to learn more.
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Panel Discussion on Rights of Nature and Animal Rights in Latin America: Trends and Challenges |
On January 30, 2025, a distinguished panel of experts addressed the latest trends and challenges in interpreting rights of Nature and animal rights within the constitutional frameworks of Peru, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries. Kathy Hessler, Assistant Dean for Animal Law, provided an overview of the role of law in protecting animals, emphasizing the challenges involved in establishing animal rights and using legal frameworks to ensure their protection. Hugo Echeverria, Ecuadorian lawyer and co-president of the International Association of Constitutional Law (IACL) - Rights of Nature Group, offered insights into Ecuador's pioneering legal frameworks for the rights of nature and their intersection with animal rights. He also discussed other emerging legal trends in Latin America. Marcia Condoy Truyenque, Peruvian lawyer and doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Law, presented a detailed analysis of current jurisprudential developments advancing animal rights in Peru. The session was moderated by Giovanna Gismondi, Fellow for the Environmental Law Program and Visiting Associate Professor. A recording of the event is available on the GW Environmental and Energy Law Program YouTube Channel.
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The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Promises and Perils of the U.S. Energy Transition |
On January 27, 2025, the Environmental and Energy Law Program hosted an engaging session on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its role in the U.S. Energy Transition. The event began with key remarks by Kristoffer Svendsen, Assistant Dean of Energy Law, followed by a discussion led by Elizabeth Arnold, an expert in energy policy. Drawing from her extensive global experience, Arnold highlighted the transformative potential of the IRA in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency while addressing systemic challenges and equity gaps. She emphasized the interplay between law and policy as essential to overcoming loopholes in clean energy implementation, underscoring strategies such as residential solar adoption, energy audits, and virtual power plants. Arnold also called for the U.S. to draw inspiration from global leaders like Norway, which excels in electric vehicle adoption and equitable energy policies, to strengthen its renewable energy initiatives. The session concluded with a valuable networking opportunity, fostering dialogue and collaboration among attendees committed to advancing clean energy solutions.
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Climate-related Displacement in the United States: Perspectives for Receiving Communities |
Organized by GW Law Environmental and Energy Law Program
On November 12, 2024, a distinguished panel of experts gathered to discuss governance options and policy frameworks aimed at addressing the challenges receiving communities in the United States face as they manage forced displacement due to climate change-related factors. The webinar was moderated by Randall Abate, Assistant Dean for Environmental Law Studies, who set the stage for the discussions. Ira Feldman, Founder and Board Chair of Adaptation Leader, presented an overview of the Research & Policy Agenda on Receiving Communities in North America (R&PA). This agenda is part of Adaptation Leader’s broader initiative to address climate-induced displacement. Jaclyn Lopez, Assistant Professor at Stetson University College of Law, focused on the specific challenges that communities in Florida face in the wake of severe weather events. Keith Hirokawa, Professor of Law at Albany Law School, discussed the notion of “climate heavens” – safe, sustainable communities that can absorb displaced populations. He explored both the opportunitiesl and obstacles in establishing such communities to address internal displacement. James R. May, Professor of Law at Washburn University School of Law, explored how constitutional frameworks could be used to protect the rights of displaced persons and ensure that they are treated equitably, especially given the increasing risks of climate-related displacement. Throughout the webinar, the panelists advocated for a combination of legal reform, policy innovation, and community-based strategies to prepare for and manage the growing impacts of extreme weather events. The recording of this event is available on the GW Environmental and Energy Law Program YouTube Channel.
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Student & Alumni Spotlights |
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Meera Aiyer, 3L student, had her article, Baby, it’s (not as) Cold Outside: Applying the National Environmental Policy Act to Antarctic Research Stations, accepted for publication in the spring 2005 issue of Arizona Journal of Environmental Law and Policy. The article discusses the legal framework for extraterritorial application of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to research stations in Antarctica, a neutral territory beyond U.S. jurisdiction. The article explores the need for extraterritorial application of NEPA in Antarctica to address the harms posed by the continued operations of research stations on the continent.
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Anna Aguilar and Sidney Lee, 3L students, co-authored a blog post for The Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School. Titled Canaries in the Coal Mine: HUD’s Failure to End Childhood Lead Exposure in Federally Assisted Housing, the post first addresses how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) perpetuates the U.S. childhood lead poisoning crisis by implementing ineffective lead hazard detection methods within federally assisted housing. It then describes a case study of a family exposed to lead poisoning, illustrating the real-world impact of HUD's inadequate regulations.
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Laura Serna Mosquera, LLM '25, published an article, Climate Change and Human Mobility: The Urban Challenge of Climate Displacement in Colombia, which examines Colombia’s progress and challenges in addressing climate displacement and its implications for sustainable urban development. Laura’s article is available on the GW Point Source.
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Benedicta Osei-Boateng, LLM '25, published an article, Galamsey and the Struggle for Ghana’s Future: Environmental Degradation and the Resistance Movement, which discusses the ongoing conflict between environmental protection and economic interests. It describes protests, legal frameworks, and government interventions, highlighting the complicity of powerful actors that threatens future generations. Benedicta’s article is available on the GW Point Source.
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Chloe Wallace, JD '26, presented her work-in-progress article, The Biggest Catch: How the UNFCCC Loss and Damage Mechanism and Stricter IUU Regulations Can Support Pacific Island Nations and their Tuna, at the annual Pace-Maryland Environmental Law Colloquium. Her article discusses the challenges related to overfishing tuna that Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) face, the current international legal framework’s failure to address these issues, and proposed solutions to support PSIDS.
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Afrah Qoqandi, JD '26, presented her work-in-progress article, The Case for a Global Ban on Deep-Sea Mining: The International Seabed Authority, Indigenous Rights, and Marine Ecosystems in the Eastern Pacific, at the annual Pace-Maryland Environmental Law Colloquium. Her article explores the ecological and social risks of deep-sea mining, critiques the International Seabed Authority’s regulatory framework, and advocates for a phased global ban to protect marine biodiversity and uphold Indigenous rights.
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Byron Sequeira, LLM '25, had his abstract selected for the highly esteemed American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA) Blogging Symposium. Among many competitive submissions, only five abstracts were chosen, underscoring the high quality Byron’s work. His abstract, “The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion: Empowering States and Communities in International Investment Law,” examines how the ICJ’s climate change advisory proceedings could harmonize investor protections with the responsibilities of states to protect vulnerable populations. Referencing landmark cases such as La Oroya v. Peru and Renco v. Peru, Byron’s analysis advances the integration of sustainability principles into international investment law.
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Priyanka Vashisht, JD '18, recently accepted a position with the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), as an Attorney Advisor. A division of the Department of Energy, ARPA-E funds research, development and commercialization of high-potential, high-impact advanced energy technologies to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States. As an Attorney Advisor, Priyanka provides legal advice on a wide variety of legal and policy matters relevant to ARPA-E’s mission, including ethics, intellectual property, appropriations, and human capital.
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Harshita Holmes JD '25, has accepted a position with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Office of Chief Counsel through the Honors Attorney Program. Over the course of this two-year rotational program, she will work across various FEMA legal divisions, gaining hands-on experience in disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Harshitha is excited to deepen her expertise in this area of practice and looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving FEMA beyond the program’s completion.
- Sarah Champagne JD '25, has accepted a position as a law clerk with the Chicago office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), where she will focus on environmental issues for the agency.
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Kristopher Wilson, LLM '25, secured a full-time position at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in January 2025. With his legal expertise and specialized knowledge in nuclear energy law, he is poised to contribute to critical regulatory issues and play a significant role in shaping the future of nuclear energy policy.
- Rachel Rilee, JD '23, secured a full-time position at the Center for Biological Diversity as an Oceans Policy Specialist in February 2025.
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Just Transition on Native American Lands
March 19, 2025
GW Law's Theodore N. Lerner Hall
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Join the GW Energy Law Program for an insightful discussion with Professor Monika Ehrman, an expert in energy law and Native American rights, as she explores the challenges and opportunities surrounding the energy transition on Native American lands. In this talk, Professor Ehrman will examine how the transition to renewable energy intersects with tribal sovereignty, legal frameworks, and the protection of sacred lands. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of these complex and pressing issues.
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The 2025 J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Environmental Law Symposium
Foreign Investment and the Environment: Local Communities, Human Rights, and Dispute Resolution
March 20, 2025
GW Law's Burns Moot Court Room
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
The 2025 J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Environmental Law Symposium explores the intersection of environmental protection, human rights, and foreign investment, with particular emphasis on the role of arbitration in disputes between foreign investors and host states. As global concerns over climate change, sustainable development, and the right to a healthy environment intensify, experts from a variety of fields will examine the challenges of reconciling investment treaties with environmental priorities, while upholding human rights and identifying pathways for fair arbitration practices within the framework of international investment law. To learn more and register, visit the 2025 J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Environmental Law Symposium website.
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The Environmental & Energy Law faculty and staff have been working hard publishing articles and textbooks, participating in panels, and delivering presentations on various topics. A summary of select faculty publications and presentations appears below. The full list of scholarship can be found on our Faculty Publications Page.
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Dean Randall Abate's article, Putting Lipstick on a Pig: Biogas, Methane Digesters, and the Greenwashing Playbook, was published in December in Environmental Law (Lewis & Clark's Environmental Law Review). The article analyzes how industrial animal agriculture is borrowing tactics from the fossil fuel industry's greenwashing playbook to portray biogas on factory farms as a form of "renewable energy" and methane digesters as effective carbon sequestration mechanisms. The article proposes strategic litigation strategies and enhanced transparency and accountability measures to address these deceptive and harmful practices. Dean Abate also delivered in-person and online lectures and panel presentations on climate migration governance, climate change and the protection of future generations, climate change and the voiceless, and parallels and synergies between animal law and environmental law at events hosted at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (Washington, DC); Barry University School of Law, Rollins College, and the University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL); Howard University School of Law; Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (Knoxville, TN); the George Washington University, and two online lectures hosted by an NGO in Pakistan.
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Professor Robert Glicksman’s scholarly contributions continue to have a significant impact in the fields of environmental law and administrative regulation. His co-authored book, Stay Ahead of the Pack: Your Comprehensive Guide to the Upper-Level Curriculum (2d ed.), was published by West Academic in October 2024. In addition, Professor Glicksman has authored several articles, including The Disintegration of Administrative Adjudicatory Enforcement Authority (Widener Commonwealth Law Review) and Inefficient and Reckless: Why DOGE Could Be So Dangerous (The Hill, Dec. 3, 2024) [coauthored]. Professor Glicksman has also been actively involved in presenting on emerging topics in environmental law. Notably, he delivered a presentation on Recent Developments in U.S. Climate Change Law at the 33rd Annual Eastern Boot Camp on Environmental Law. In addition to his scholarly writing and presentations, Professor Glicksman’s work has garnered significant media attention, including mentions in The Week in Review and The Regulatory Review. His expertise has also been quoted in several major outlets, including Detroit News, Fox News, Washington Examiner, and The Regulatory Review.
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Professor Emily Hammond published an article, Agency Amici, in the UC Davis Law Review, analyzing the often-overlooked role of agencies acting as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in federal cases. The article provides a comprehensive examination of agency amicus behavior, categorizing it into a typology, and evaluates these practices within the broader context of administrative law. Professor Hammond concludes that agency amicus briefs play a crucial role, not only in shaping administrative law but also in supporting the constitutional framework by offering courts valuable expertise and promoting fairness in legal proceedings.
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Professor LeRoy Paddock has been deeply engaged in international environmental law and policy in recent months. On February 12, he was a featured speaker at an Environmental Law Institute (ELI) webinar, where he discussed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and its implications for sustainable practices. Additionally, in Fall 2024, Professor Paddock co-organized an international summit on environmental compliance and enforcement, which took place in Brisbane, Australia, from November 6-8. The summit successfully brought together approximately 400 participants from 23 countries, fostering important global dialogue on environmental regulatory frameworks.
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Professor Caroline Cecot made substantial contributions to the field of regulatory policy and environmental law through a variety of speaking, organizing, and leadership roles. In January 2025, she served as the organizer for the session “Looking Ahead: What to Watch for in U.S. Regulatory Policy in the New Administration” at the ASSA Annual Meeting, offering valuable insights on the evolving regulatory landscape. Additionally, she was a panelist at the “Effective Commenting in the Rulemaking Process: Tips for Strategic Advocacy” event, hosted by the American Law Institute and the Environmental Law Institute in December 2024, where she shared her expertise on how to effectively navigate and influence the regulatory process. Professor Cecot also presented at the Southern Economic Association Annual Meeting in November 2024 and served as a discussant for “Environmental Justice in Regulatory Decision making” at Resources for the Future in October 2024, where her perspectives on environmental policy and justice enriched the conversation. Further extending her impact, Professor Cecot joined the editorial team of the Journal of Regulatory Economics and became the President of the Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis (SBCA), roles that reinforce her leadership in the field. Through these ongoing engagements, Professor Cecot continues to solidify her position as a leading authority in regulatory policy and environmental law.
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Professor Giovanna Gismondi has been actively engaged in the international environmental law community. She was a panelist on the panel, “Bridging Human Rights and Environmental Protection” at the European Society of International Law (ESIL) International Conference on "The Crossroad of International Environmental Law Enforcement," held at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain in December 2024. Additionally, Professor Gismondi was a panelist at the 2025 AALS Annual Meeting in San Francisco, where she shared her expertise on climate change activism and international litigation as part of the distinguished panel on Climate Change Activism and International Litigation: Advocacy and Pedagogical Perspectives. Later in January, Professor Gismondi also moderated a webinar on Constitutional Innovations in Animal Rights and the Rights of Nature: The Peruvian Model, organized by the GW Environmental and Energy Law Program.
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