October 13, 2020
by Volodymyr Ponomarov
Energy
International
Natural Resources
Renewable Energy
The European Green New Deal is an environmental plan aimed at making Europe carbon-neutral by 2050.[1] In order to achieve this ambitious goal, the European Union (“EU”) initiated the revision of a number of international agreements. Among one of those agreements is the Energy Charter Treaty (“ECT”). In July and September, 2020, the European Commission and EU Member States had two rounds of negotiations at the Energy Charter Conference dedicated to the modernization of the ECT.[2] The call for the ECT’s reform was, among other things, prompted by the ECT’s purported “serious threat to Europe’s climate neutrality target and more broadly to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.”[3]
The ECT’s modernization is important because this is the first targeted attempt to reshape the unique, legally-binding, energy-related multilateral treaty and marks a step towards compliance with the Paris Climate Accord. Additionally, modernization of the ECT provisions is relevant to U.S. companies investing in both the renewable and fossil fuel energy sectors of the ECT Member States. At this point, it is unclear how the two rounds of negotiations went and whether the actual changes are coming in the nearest future. The third round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in December 2020. This post will take a closer look at the ECT’s history, goals, and environmental standards. Furthermore, this post will address novel critiques as to its incompatibility with the Paris Climate Accord.
May 3, 2020
by Robert Patton
Climate change
Energy
Natural Resources
Renewable Energy
The coronavirus pandemic provides a unique opportunity to address global climate change.
By Robert Patton, Managing Editor
April 2, 2020
by Linn Bumpers
Renewable Energy
Sustainability
Community solar is a widespread solution for those who cannot invest in rooftop solar but want renewable energy. How does this innovative energy system fit into the existing legal frameworks?
February 24, 2020
by Roy Jackson
Energy
Federal Rollbacks
Online Supplemental Article
Renewable Energy
In this exclusive online article, Roy Jackson, a recent Georgetown Law graduate, explains how photovoltaic-solar (“PV”) project costs have decreased in recent decades and how investments in this industry may grow stagnant under both recently enacted and proposed federal policy changes.
February 13, 2020
by Kayla Steinberg
Agriculture
Litigation
Renewable Energy
State and Local
In July 2019, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that the state’s Public Service Commission has the final say on the siting of solar and wind energy projects, prompting concerns by local governments over how to protect farmland from development.
January 16, 2020
by Julia Sweitzer
Energy
Natural Resources
Renewable Energy
California has seen a recent surge in local municipalities establishing Community Choice Aggregation programs to choose their electricity portfolios. But how do these programs work and are they effective?
October 21, 2019
by Nick Gill
Energy
Fossil Fuels
Natural Resources
Renewable Energy
Although net metering has incentivized residential customers to switch from fossil fuel to solar energy, its pricing model confuses customers and shifts costs, making it untenable in the long-term.
April 6, 2019
by Kevin Hotchkiss
Energy
International
Renewable Energy
Blockchain has been hailed as the future of technology. Although innovative, the system revolves around "proof of work," a process that is resource intensive simply for the sake of being resource intensive. How does this technological innovation collide with the international push for sustainable development
February 21, 2019
by Isabelle Smith
Energy
Renewable Energy
Sustainability
A successful transition to a low emissions economy and a prosperous, climate resilient future. The call to action for states to achieve this reality has never been stronger. But is it possible? With a new Zero Carbon Bill on the table and strong consultation feedback, Aotearoa, New Zealand may be about to show the world how.
By Isabelle Smith, Guest Contributor
February 13, 2019
by Robert Adler
Air
Climate change
Energy
Fossil Fuels
Regulations
Renewable Energy
While some companies celebrate the EPA’s deregulation efforts, other companies are starting to understand that economic and environmental efficiencies can run hand-in-hand. The Carbon Disclosure Project helps companies see the connection.
