This three credit seminar course will focus on the environmental impacts and resulting legal issues arising from the exploration, development, production and transportation of energy sources. Students will first gain a general knowledge of the environmental impacts of nation wide energy production through a survey format. Topics will include environmental impacts of oil and gas exploration and production, bio-fuels production, coal generation, nuclear, wind and solar power. The course will then transition into the development of a working knowledge of the legal and administrative structure of Texas and Federal environmental law relating to primary energy sources utilized in Texas. Included in this segment will be a focus on issues involving fuels for mobile sources and transportation and delivery of fuels as well as disposal of fuel by-products. Students will have an opportunity to utilize the Texas regulatory and legal structure to develop a solid knowledge of the basic framework of State authority and the conflicts and interplay between State and Federal law. Students will then focus on environmental impacts of specific energy development projects from Texas and the Gulf Coast to gain a practical understanding of the legal and administrative processes involved in dealing with environmental consequences. Students will complete the semester by writing and presenting a seminar paper.
Nix, David Granvil