In this blog, 3L staffer Hyeongchan Kim examines the current recycling challenges in the United States by comparing recycling policies across several countries, including Germany, Austria, South Korea, and the United States. He highlights that although each country has its own legal system and procedures, the adoption of standardized recycling laws in US is recommended, drawing on examples from countries with higher recycling rates.
In this blog, 3L staffer Chas Lundy discusses the Trump administration’s attempts to eliminate offshore wind farms in America. Lundy explains the background of renewables in America as well as ongoing litigation regarding a stop work order imposed on a wind farm. Lundy also provides the reactions of powerful figures in the traditional energy industries and takes the position that deviating from offshore wind farms is against the national interest.
In this blog, Executive Editor Peyton Mills argues that United States v. Stevens, which held that depictions of extreme animal cruelty are not categorically unprotected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, effectively rubber-stamps animal cruelty by hindering prosecutors and emboldening animal abusers. He asserts that Justice Samuel Alito's dissent should pave the way forward for animal rights.
In this blog, 3L Staffer Samuel Larrabee argues that the H-2A visa program should be the solution to deported immigrant farm laborers but because of the program's shortcomings, it fails to fill the void. The Department of Labor's recent regulations could help prevent worker abuse that occurs under the program but because courts have stepped in and found that those provisions violate separate law, any meaningful reform of the program likely requires congressional action.
In this blog, 3L Staffer Caidan Drenk argues for the increased protection of central Kentucky farmland from urban growth/sprawl. Drenk discusses the existing legal framework surrounding protections and privileges granted to land used for agriculture, the shortcomings of those protections, and the increases needed for appropriate protections in the future. Drenk highlights and acknowledges concerns about population growth, economic growth, and increased housing demands while emphasizing the long-term cultural and economic risks of unchecked development and encroachment. Drenk calls for a balanced approach that safeguards agricultural land while accommodating responsible urban and suburban expansion.
Making sure the United States is producing enough energy is a pressing issue as seen throughout the Biden Administration. With the Senate’s passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more authority will be delegated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in approval of electric transmission lines and facilities. 2L staffer, Grace Brock discusses the pros and cons of this act while bringing in issues of eminent domain and administrative law.
As vaping and e-cigarettes seem to take the place of regular cigarettes, many are wondering is this safe? The public and the government are worried that those who are partaking in this activity are putting themselves more at risk. With Covid-19 swarming through our country, taking care of our body and lungs are at an all time high causing the FDA to look at putting more restrictions on vaping and e-cigarettes.
NFTs are non-fungible token that many investors are extremely interested in investing and trading across the internet. Sadly though, NFTs rely largely on energy consumption where one command leaves the carbon footprint of watching Youtube for over a year. See what our recent alum, Fletcher Lyon, has to say about this and what he suggests to solve it!
With the rise of decriminalization of marijuana, expungement of this conviction from an individual’s record has become a hot topic. It is important to realize that although expungement is not an automatic process, but a voluntary process that many do not know about. With more African Americans being arrested for this crime versus white individuals, it is time to sit down and truly explore this problem.
When COVID-19 hit, the alcohol business in Kentucky took a hit as well. With business being closed and travel being restricted, Kentucky’s tourism in terms of the bourbon industry was not doing so good. To help save these businesses, representatives came together to develop a bill to implement the shipping of alcohol outside of state and inside of the state of Kentucky. This bill helped saved many bourbon businesses in Kentucky as well as other alcohol related business.
