KJEANRL
Youth Climate Cases: Inspirations and Challenges

Blog By: Yuha Jung

In this Blog, outgoing 3L Staffer Yuha Jung explores two recent youth climate cases, one resolved in Montana (Held v. State) and another ongoing in California (Genesis v. EPA), emphasizing their implications for future climate litigation. Jung contends that youth-led climate lawsuits will ultimately contribute positively to safeguarding a clean and healthy climate for future generations.

Youth Climate Cases: Inspirations and Challenges
KJEANRL
Protected Predators: The Double-Edged Talons of ...

Blog By: Camille Camp

In this blog, 2L Staffer Camille Camp discusses the threat black vultures pose to the livestock industry and the proposed bill aimed at assisting livestock producers. Additionally, she highlights the essential ecological function served by black vultures and stresses the importance of finding a sustainable solution that both addresses the threat to livestock and preserves the black vulture population.

Protected Predators: The Double-Edged Talons of Black Vultures in the Livestock Industry
KJEANRL
Plows vs. Panels: Community Opposition to Solar ...

Blog By: Daniel Martell

In his blog, Vol. 17 Executive Editor Daniel Martell reports on a barrier in the transition to clean energy: local opposition to solar projects in rural communities. While opposition groups have delayed and derailed solar projects in the past, Martell argues that there are steps that solar farm developers can take to the conflict and cost that come with public opposition to their energy projects.

Plows vs. Panels: Community Opposition to Solar Farm Projects
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Kentucky Legislature Rightfully Rescinds the ...

Blog By: Daniel Short

2L Staffer Daniel Short discusses the Kentucky legislature's decision to create an acreage requirement for hunting and fishing licenses, exempt private landowners. Shortly after, the legislature rescinded the rule, which Short argues was the right decision because of the requirement's uncertainty in enforcement and effectiveness, as well as the detriment to resident outdoorsmen. 

Kentucky Legislature Rightfully Rescinds the Acreage Requirement for Hunting and Fishing Licenses
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The Problem with the Bluegrass Station Airport ...

Blog By: Caroline Butler

In this blog, 3L Staffer Caroline Butler discusses a $320 million, 2,000-acre proposal to expand Bluegrass Station to include a military airport was made public. Butler argues that this proposal and the problems surrounding it, such as eminent domain and public pushback.

The Problem with the Bluegrass Station Airport Project and Eminent Domain

Clean Water Act

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The Fight Over Tribal Authority Under the Clean Water Act

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The Fight Over Tribal Authority Under the Clean Water Act

2L staffer, Zachary Mills, discusses the importance of the Clean Water Act and how the act continues to change through public and presidential pressure. Mills focuses explicitly on Section 401 of the Act, where it designates state and tribal governments as “certifying authorities” for these licenses, but after Trump’s Executive Order 13956, the EPA narrowed Section 401. Mills highly encourages courts to truly realize the change to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act does more harm than good for the Native American communities.

Supreme Court to Take on the Muddy and Polluted Interpretations of the Clean Water Act

Supreme Court to Take on the Muddy and Polluted Interpretations of the Clean Water Act

Preview Lauren Keeler’s note on the Clean Water Act in this blog post. Updated to reflect the arguments heard before the Supreme Court on November 6, 2019, this blog provides an overview of the litigation surrounding the Clean Water Act as well as insights into the arguments heard thus far.

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Coal Ash in Herrington Lake and the Clean Water Act

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Coal Ash in Herrington Lake and the Clean Water Act

A Sixth Circuit case alleged that Kentucky Utilities violated the Clean Water Act and the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act. In 2018 the suit was dismissed due to Kentucky Utilities having agreed to submit a remedial action plan. This plan is currently pending, but there are some issues as some believe the Clean Water Act does not relate to groundwater. Kyle Ruschell is hoping this case could clarify the Clean Water Act.

Repealing Rapanos: Shrinking the Clean Water Act’s Jurisdiction

Repealing Rapanos: Shrinking the Clean Water Act’s Jurisdiction

It is not often that a criminal appeal can change the face of American environmental law and change the jurisdiction of major environmental legislation. This is why anyone concerned with ecological diversity or clean water ought to be watching closely for the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision in United States v. Hughes. In particular, it may greatly decrease the regulatory scope of the Clean Water Act, which controls the discharge of pollutants into the “navigable waters” of the United States.