Previous Events & CLE Programs
October 6, 2008
Committee Meeting
The Demise of CAIR: What's Next?
Please join us for a comprehensive discussion of EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule, from its origins and goals, to its vacatur on July 11, 2008, by the D.C. Circuit, and beyond. Tim Williamson and Ron Fein, EPA New England, will discuss CAIR, the DC Circuit’s ruling, and what steps EPA will be taking going forward. Eileen Hiney, MassDEP, will discuss ramifications for Massachusetts and various actions States are considering. Carrie Jenks, M.J. Bradley & Associates, LLC, will discuss reactions of, and what it all means for, the regulated industry.
June 27, 2008
Committee Meeting
RGGI: Making it Happen!
In September 2008, Massachusetts will be one of the states participating in the nation's first ever regional auction of greenhouse gas emissions allowances. With this historic event just around the corner, Bill Lamkin and Marilyn Levenson of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Rachel Evans, Deputy General Counsel of Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources, will explain how RGGI will move from paper to practice.
May 1, 2008
Committee Meeting
Fallout from New Jersey v. EPA Decision: What's Next for Mercury Regulation?
Sponsors
Environmental Litigation Committee
Air Quality & Climate Change Committee
Join Ann Weeks, Clean Air Task Force, Richard Sugarman, WolfBlock, and Barbara Kwetz, Director of Bureau of Waste Prevention's Division of Planning & Evaluation, as they offer three distinct perspectives on the DC Circuit's recent decision in the NJ v. EPA case.
The decision vacated the Clean Air Mercury Rule and EPA's delisting rules regarding mercury, the interesting procedural maneuverings after the decision was rendered, and issues facing DEP in the aftermath of the decision.
March 10, 2008
Committee Meeting
Lessons learned from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
Sponsors
Air Quality & Climate Change Committee
International Environmental Law Committee
Dr. A. Denny Ellerman, MIT Sloan School of Management, will discuss problems encountered and solutions found in the EU greenhouse gas Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), including how allocation and distribution of the right to emit carbon dioxide affects market efficiency and environmental effectiveness.
John W. Arata, Carbon Finance Strategies, LLC, will discuss his experience in facilitating emissions trading in the EU ETS/Kyoto regimes, including his views on the role of strategies for risk management.
January 30, 2008
Committee Meeting
United States v. AEP:
Understanding the Settlement Entered in this Most Recent, and Largest, New Source Review Enforcement Case
Assistant Attorney General Fred Augenstern, who represented Massachusetts for over eight years in United States v. AEP, will discuss the importance of the consent decree entered by the Federal District Court in Ohio in this case, which was brought by the federal government, Massachusetts and 7 other states against American Electric Power (AEP), one of the largest generators in the United States. Mr. Augenstern will discuss the scope of emissions reductions under the Settlement, the relationship with the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), and various mitigation programs.
December 11, 2007
Committee Meeting
Update from EPA New England Greenhouse Gas Regulation, Air Toxics Cases and Other Planning Initiatives
Tim Williamson, Senior Assistant Regional Counsel, Air Practice Group Leader, Office of Regional Counsel, EPA New England, will discuss EPA’s response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA and the issues EPA is confronting in applying the federal Clean Air Act to greenhouse gas emissions. Time permitting, he will also discuss EPA’s planning work with the New England states to attain national ambient air quality standards and EPA’s response to recent court rulings regarding implementation of the federal air toxics/MACT standards program.
October 4, 2007
Committee Meeting
State Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Automobiles Impact of Vermont Court Ruling in Green Mountain
Sponsors
Environmental Litigation Committee
Air Quality & Climate Change Committee
Time & Place
Join us as Kevin Leske, Assistant Attorney General and counsel for the State of Vermont, and Matthew Pawa, counsel for various NGO intervenors/amici discuss the landmark, first-in-the-nation ruling in which a federal district court judge recognized the right of Vermont to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. Mr. Leske and Mr. Pawa will discuss the court's decision in the Green Mountain case, where it leaves the legal controversy over state and federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, and what future rulings may be on the horizon.
In the case, brought by the auto industry, the judge wrote that the auto industry had failed to demonstrate either that federal law pre-empted the states from setting the regulations or that such standards were not achievable. Vermont is one of 11 states have adopted California’s “Pavely” standards, and similar cases remain pending in federal courts in California and Rhode Island. In addition, EPA still needs to rule on whether to grant California's request for a waiver that will allow the state regulations to take effect.
September 21, 2007
Committee Meeting
Update from Bureau of Waste Prevention
James C. Colman, Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of Waste Prevention at the Massachusetts DEP, will speak about the agency's many priorities in the air field for the next year. We hope you can join us for this lively and informative discussion.
May 30, 2007
CLE Program
Climate Change: Legal Considerations, Regulatory Responses and Economic Implications
This program will provide an overview of what is currently happening in the courts on the climate change front, and how Congress is legislating to deal with climate change. Attendees will learn how Massachusetts and the region are addressing the regulation of C02 and the problems caused by mobile sources, as well as how investors and businesses are adjusting their practices in response to climate change.
Click here for complete program description
April 20, 2007
Committee Meeting
Initiatives and Priorities of the City of Boston Environment Department
Representatives from the City of Boston Environment Department will speak about the City’s initiatives and priorities regarding air quality, energy conservation, clean vehicles and other related topics.
Panelists include:
March 16, 2007
Committee Meeting
Initiatives and Priorities of the City of Boston Environment Department
Representatives from the City of Boston Environment Department will speak about the City’s initiatives and priorities regarding air quality, energy conservation, clean vehicles and other related topics.
Panelists include:
February 16, 2007
Committee Meeting
The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) – Federal and State Perspectives and Implementation
David Conroy, Chief of the Air Programs Branch at USEPA - New England, and Eileen Hiney of MassDEP, will discuss the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR).
Mr. Conroy will focus on what the EPA expects CAIR to accomplish and the EPA’s expectations for the states. Ms. Hiney will focus on state options for CAIR implementation, CAIR’s substitution for the NOx budget program, and some of the aspects of the Ozone Transport Commission’s process on CAIR.
December 8, 2006
Committee Meeting
Coal Transition: A Make or Break for World Climate
Armond Cohen of the Clean Air task Force will discuss the possibilities and implications of shifting to coal gasification and carbon sequestration to limit damage to the world environment. Mr. Cohen was previously employed for many years with the Conservation Law Foundation and focused there on air and energy issues.
November 17, 2006
Committee Meeting
EPA's Air Enforcement Policies
Adam Kushner from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C. will discuss the EPA's current air enforcement policies and plans. We will also discuss some of the most controversial air issues of the day.
October 20, 2006
Committee Meeting
Practical Issues Involved in Permitting and Developing
Kenneth A. Reich of Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen LLP will discuss practical issues involved in permitting and developing. Mr. Reich will discuss his experience with a coal-fired power plant in Montana.
The issues involved include mercury regulation and control, greenhouse gas emission control, and the interplay between the proposed coal-fired power plant and wind power in the region. Although the project is occurring in the northwest portion of the country, certain lessons transcend geographic lines. Please join us for an informative session.
September 15, 2006
Committee Meeting
On September 15th, at 12:30 p.m., James C. Colman, Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of Waste Prevention at the Massachusetts DEP, will speak about the agency's many priorities in the air field for the next year. We hope you can join us for this lively and informative discussion
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