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Energy Law

Future Offerings

Energy Law (2503): The supply of a safe, reliable, low-cost and clean energy for the United States is a key determinant of current and future prosperity. It is also the most important element of both state and federal decarbonization efforts. Electric utilities are also among the most heavily regulated of large firms. This statutory and regulatory framework is composed of a complex patchwork of overlapping state and federal rules that is constantly evolving to meet emerging challenges. In this course, students will acquire a basic understanding of the law of rate-based regulation of utilities. We will then examine the history of natural gas pipeline regulation in the United States, concluding with the introduction of market competition into US natural gas markets and the advent of shale gas. Next, we will cover the basics of the electricity system, including consumer demand, grid operations, power plant technologies and electricity sector economics. We will then revisit cost of service rate regulation as it has been applied in the electricity context. Next, we will examine reform of both rate-regulated and wholesale market-based structures, focusing on various attempts to introduce market competition into specific segments of the industry. Finally, students will examine various approaches to subsidization of utility scale renewable energy and the growth and compensation of distributed energy resources. Throughout, the course will focus on the sometimes cooperative, sometimes competing, but ever evolving federal and state roles in regulating the supply of electric power as a unique example of cooperative federalism. Students will write two 1000-word response papers during the quarter in addition to taking a final exam (composed of two 1000-word essays). Elements used in grading: Class participation (20%), written assignments (40%), and final exam (40%).

Sections

Energy Law | LAW 2503 Section 01 Class #34694

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • Exam:
    • One-Day Take-Home Exam
  • Exam:
      • Details to come
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
  • Course Category:
    • Environmental & Natural Resources

  • 2023-2024 Spring ( )
  • Mon, Wed
  • Room: LAW 180

Past Offerings

Energy Law (2503): All modern industrial economies, including that in the U.S., require massive energy infrastructure and a coherent legal framework to ensure that energy services are provided to consumers of all types in a manner that is safe, reliable and affordable. Because of climate change, it is also increasingly clear that our energy sources must be sustainable. The focus of this course is on the electricity and natural gas industries, which operate in the U.S. under a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework involving extensive interplay between federal and state authorities. This course provides a strong grounding in the governing legal principles. It draws upon case-law, primarily decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, to bring these principles into focus. We will examine the respective roles of regulation and market forces in this field. Students who complete the class will gain a historical understanding of how economic regulation of the energy industry has evolved since its origins in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, a durable conceptual understanding of current energy law and policy debates, and a practical grasp of the legal and regulatory framework for the energy industry in the US. Non-law students interested in energy issues are welcomed and encouraged to take this course, as an understanding of the legal framework is essential to careers in the energy sector. Elements used in grading: class participation, in-class group presentations, and a final exam.

Sections

Energy Law | LAW 2503 Section 01 Class #1122

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2022-2023 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Exam:
    • Exam format to be determined
  • Exam:
      • Remote: Details to come
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
  • Course Category:
    • Environmental & Natural Resources

  • 2022-2023 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available

Energy Law (2503): All modern industrial economies, including that in the U.S., require massive energy infrastructure and a coherent legal framework to ensure that energy services are provided to consumers of all types in a manner that is safe, reliable and affordable. Because of climate change, it is also increasingly clear that our energy sources must be sustainable. The focus of this course is on the electricity and natural gas industries, which operate in the U.S. under a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework involving extensive interplay between federal and state authorities. This course provides a strong grounding in the governing legal principles. It draws upon case-law, primarily decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, to bring these principles into focus. We will examine the respective roles of regulation and market forces in this field. Students who complete the class will gain a historical understanding of how economic regulation of the energy industry has evolved since its origins in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, a durable conceptual understanding of current energy law and policy debates, and a practical grasp of the legal and regulatory framework for the energy industry in the US. Non-law students interested in energy issues are welcomed and encouraged to take this course, as an understanding of the legal framework is essential to careers in the energy sector. Elements used in grading: class participation, in-class group presentations, and a one-day, take-home, open-book final exam.

Sections

Energy Law | LAW 2503 Section 01 Class #33422

  • Frank Lindh
  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2021-2022 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Exam:
    • One-Day Take-Home Exam
  • Exam:
      • Remote: Details to come
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
  • Course Category:
    • Environmental & Natural Resources

  • 2021-2022 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available

Energy Law (2503): All modern industrial economies, including that in the U.S., require massive energy infrastructure and a coherent legal framework to ensure that energy services are provided to consumers of all types in a manner that is safe, reliable and affordable. Because of climate change, it is also increasingly clear that our energy sources must be sustainable. The focus of this course is on the electricity and natural gas industries, which operate in the U.S. under a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework involving extensive interplay between federal and state authorities. This course provides a strong grounding in the governing legal principles. It draws upon case-law, primarily decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, to bring these principles into focus. We will examine the respective roles of regulation and market forces in this field. Students who complete the class will gain a historical understanding of how economic regulation of the energy industry has evolved since its origins in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, a durable conceptual understanding of current energy law and policy debates, and a practical grasp of the legal and regulatory framework for the energy industry in the US. Non-law students interested in energy issues are welcomed and encouraged to take this course, as an understanding of the legal framework is essential to careers in the energy sector. Elements used in grading: class participation, in-class group presentations, and a one-day, take-home, open-book final exam.

Sections

Energy Law | LAW 2503 Section 01 Class #1066

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2021-2022 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Exam:
    • One-Day Take-Home Exam
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
  • Course Category:
    • Environmental & Natural Resources

Notes: Cross-listed with Environment and Resources (ENVRES 226). This class section has been cancelled!

  • 2021-2022 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
    This class section has been cancelled!
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