The GW Law Environmental and Energy Law Blog
The Environmental and Energy Law program is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Christine Appah-Gyamfi to lead the newly established “Access to Justice, Environmental Justice Clinic.” We recently caught up with Professor Appah-Gyamfi to learn more about her background in and passion for environmental justice and hear about the proposed goals, scope of work, and anticipated impacts of this exciting new clinic.
By Maria LeLourec
After Dean Randall Abate shared the inspiring climate justice story of Saul Luciano Lliuya, who is Peruvian like us, we became enchanted and did not hesitate to answer in the affirmative when he asked if Fiorella and I could interview him in the deep Andes of Peru. We knew that it was going to be challenging to prepare for this interview due to final exams, the holidays, and the remoteness of the area, but we happily accepted this exciting challenge.
Continue reading “Conquering Peaks, Defying Odds: Saul Luciano Lliuya, “The Hero of the Andes””
By Johanna Adashek
The Clean Air Act contains what can be considered an “Emergency Provision” or a “Substantial Endangerment Provision” that provides EPA with the authority to unilaterally issue orders to polluters substantially endangering the public health, welfare, or the environment. This broad and versatile power, while not frequently used, has demonstrated the potential to combat ongoing or imminent hazards from further harming the public or the environment. This post will review the legislative history of § 303 beginning with the emergency provision in the Air Quality Act of 1967 to the Clean Air Act of 1970 and two subsequent Clean Air Act amendments. After detailing how Congress has strengthened the emergency provision in Clean Air Act § 303, this post will then recount EPA’s use of § 303 over the past half century.
Continue reading “Clean Air Act § 303 Coming into the Limelight “
By Maria LeLourec
Led by its CEO, Elon Musk, Tesla Inc. has garnered widespread acclaim for its role in revolutionizing the electric vehicle (EV) industry and promoting renewable energy, the reduction of carbon emissions, and a more sustainable future.[1] The company’s eco-friendly image, however, is belied by accusations of greenwashing, with critics arguing that Tesla has exaggerated its environmental achievements to enhance its public image.[2]
Continue reading “Tesla and Greenwashing “
President Granberg’s inaugural address on November 4, 2023 foretold “a revolutionary next step in how our students and faculty conduct and develop innovative research, advocacy, and coursework in sustainability.” That step, the founding of The GWU Alliance for a Sustainable Future was officially announced in GW Today on November 15. The GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future is a big, bold, university-wide initiative that will bring together all members of the GW community who support climate change and sustainability work, forming a powerful strategic alliance of research institutes, academic programs, organizations, and individuals dedicated to the shared mission of combating climate change and promoting healthy and thriving resource systems for all. Under one GW banner, the Alliance will amplify GW’s commitment to climate and sustainability work and increase its global impact.
Continue reading “New GW Alliance Addressing Climate Change and Sustainability Brings Change to GW Law’s Energy Program”