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The Price on Protection: The EPA’s Decision to ...

In this blog, 2L staffer Emma Carlo explains how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently attempting to rescind newly implemented drinking water regulations regarding chemicals known as PFAs. Carlo argues that this deregulation action is indicative of corporate favoritism and proves that water utility companies and the EPA believe the $800 million implementation cost is too expensive to protect the public and the environment. Carlo explains that EPA is acting contrary to its intended purpose, as this deregulation will allow continued exposure to these chemicals for more than 70 million people, despite the high likelihood of adverse health effects from low exposure to PFAS.

The Price on Protection: The EPA’s Decision to Deregulate Safe Drinking Water
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Water Wars: Colorado River Crisis Fueled by ...

In this blog, 2L staffer Kalista Thomas focuses on the issues surrounding the lowering levels of water in the Colorado River and how these lowering levels are exacerbated by climate change. Thomas argues how the United States needs to continue to be a member in the Paris Agreement and gives an outline of how the Paris Agreement helps countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. 

Water Wars: Colorado River Crisis Fueled by Climate Change
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There’s Not a Snake in My Boot! Discussing ...

In this blog, 3L Senior Staffer Erica Joan Radermacher discusses the recent case of Skipper v. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in which the court in the Southern District of Alabama ruled for private landowners. Radermacher argues that the abuse of agency power to designate thousands of acres of private lands as critical habitat after only a singular sighting of the black pinesnake on the land in the recent past is an example of government overreach at its most egregious.

There’s Not a Snake in My Boot! Discussing Agency Overreach in the Designation of Critical Habits Under the Endangered Species Act
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Myth, Legend, or Protected Species: The ...

Whether or not you believe Bigfoot is real, in this blog, 3L staffer Lauren Repa explores the legality of hunting the elusive creature.  Repa explains how various states have implemented laws that forbid the hunting and killing of Bigfoot. She demonstrates whether hunting the creature would be worth the trouble with the Kentucky State Government. 

Myth, Legend, or Protected Species: The Legality of Hunting Bigfoot in Kentucky
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The Sun May Be Setting Over Kentucky’s Solar ...

In this blog, 3L staffer Sam Hilgeman examines the impact that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have on solar energy in the Bluegrass State. He argues that the removal of the residential solar credit will have long-term detrimental impacts to the state's residential solar energy market unless state legislators can provide their own incentive.

The Sun May Be Setting Over Kentucky’s Solar Energy Potential

Sizing Up Bears Ears National Monument: A New Take on the Antiquities Act

Sizing Up Bears Ears National Monument: A New Take on the Antiquities Act

Blog By: Mary Jocelyn

In a statement accompanying the denial of certiorari for the most recent Antiquities Act case, Chief Justice Roberts discussed two critical components of the act yet to be determined by Congress or the courts - what is the smallest area compatible for the monument and how it should be operationalized. In this blog, 2L staffer Mary Jocelyn argues that the proclamation of Bears Ears as a national monument under the Antiquities Act is a paradox because it actually impairs the necessary resources required for management.

“What’s Mine is Yours”: How the Supreme Court’s Decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma Has Altered the State’s Coal Mining Landscape

“What’s Mine is Yours”: How the Supreme Court’s Decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma Has Altered the State’s Coal Mining Landscape

Blog By: Jordan Kamp

Following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, the state of Oklahoma has experienced a shift in its jurisdiction over surface coal mining. In this blog, 2L staffer Jordan Kamp argues that Oklahoma and its Tribes should draft intergovernmental agreements pertaining to surface coal mining that would enable the State to maintain some form of regulatory control.

Avoiding Palm Oil at the Supermarket: Why Your Toothpaste Might be Causing Deforestation

Avoiding Palm Oil at the Supermarket: Why Your Toothpaste Might be Causing Deforestation

Blog By: Sydney LaRue

Palm oil is found in a multitude of everyday products. In this blog, 2L staffer Sydney LaRue demonstrates that the bulk consumption of palm oil has led to deforestation. LaRue ultimately argues for more sustainable practices by requiring companies to disclose palm oil on ingredient lists and for consumers to demand the use of only sustainably grown palm oil.

Protecting Pigs: Why Proposition Twelve Should Be Upheld

Protecting Pigs: Why Proposition Twelve Should Be Upheld

Blog by: Matthew Hayes

In 2018, California voters passed Proposition Twelve, which prohibited the sale of meat procured from animals held in gestation crates. Gestation crates have been widely criticized as being an inhumane practice, despite their broad usage in the pork industry. Although the pork industry is challenging Proposition Twelve on a constitutional basis, 3L staffer Matthew Hayes explains why these actions should fail.

Ignoring the Alternative: Why Kentucky Heartwood is Unlikely to Stop Logging in the Daniel Boone National Forest

Ignoring the Alternative: Why Kentucky Heartwood is Unlikely to Stop Logging in the Daniel Boone National Forest

Blog by: Cameron Coyle

The U.S. Forest Service is proceeding with the South Red Bird Wildlife Enhancement Project, which is a plan to remove a substantial amount of trees in Daniel Boone National Forest. Kentucky Heartwood has filed an action in an attempt to stop the project. 2L staffer Cameron Coyle talks about the details of the action and the likelihood of its success in this piece.

Call to the Post: End the Halt on HISA

Call to the Post: End the Halt on HISA

Blog by: Christian T. Deeter

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) created a non-governmental entity to regulate the horseracing industry and promote animal safety. There has been a split of authority regarding whether the Authority’s regulatory regime violates the non-delegation doctrine. Christian T. Deeter, our 2L staffer, argues that the Authority is lawful and beneficial to the industry.

A Controversial Legal Round-Up

A Controversial Legal Round-Up

Blog by: Shawn Harkins

The popular pesticide for both agricultural and consumer use, Round-Up, contains a harmful chemical that is linked to several adverse health effects. As a result, Bayer Company has unsuccessfully battled claims under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and state law. Shawn Harkins discusses the current state of the Round-Up litigation and potential regulation of it in the future.

Loosening the Grip of Homeowners’ Associations Over Solar Panel Installations: The Need for More and Better Legislation

Loosening the Grip of Homeowners’ Associations Over Solar Panel Installations: The Need for More and Better Legislation

Blog by: Isabel Harrison

As solar energy usage increases, homeowners' associations have started to impose regulations on property owners' abilities to go solar. In this blog, 2L staffer Isabel Harrison urges legislators to mitigate the impacts of restrictive covenants that create obstacles for property owners’ making the switch to solar energy.