Course Description
Examination of development and use of various energy sources, including traditional areas such as oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear. Particular emphasis will be placed on development of alternative sources of energy, including solar, geothermal, wind and biomass, and the role of government in encouraging development.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate law students will not be doing any extra work beyond
that required of the Juris Doctor students. J.D. students are
post-baccalaureate students and the workload expected of them is
the same workload expected of post-baccalaureate graduate
students. Law students are professional students, not
undergraduate students. Graduate law students are primarily
international lawyers seeking expertise in the American legal
system. This expertise is gained through exposure to Juris
Doctor courses.
Athena Title
Renewable Energy Law Policy
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This seminar is intended to acquaint the student with legal issues relating to the regulation and development of both traditional and alternative sources of energy. It will discuss regulatory issues arising at the state, national and international level. Coverage will include both traditional fossil fuel sources of energy, including oil, natural gas and coal as well as alternative sources of energy including nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.
Topical Outline
1. The legal framework of energy regulation. 2. Economic theory underlying energy regulation. 3. The regulatory process: Oil and Gas 4. Regulation of electricity generation distribution. 5. Regulation of nuclear energy. 6. Regulation and development of solar energy. 7. Regulation and development of alternative energy sources: wind, biomass, geothermal and tidal.