Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Technical Advancements and Issues Associated with the Permanent Disposal of High-Activity Wastes: Lessons Learned from Yucca Mountain and Other Progra

This report from the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board "is not meant to be an assessment of the licenseability of a Yucca Mountain repository. If licensing goes forward, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will determine whether a license should be granted. ... The purpose of this report, then, is to extract from the history of the Yucca Mountain program, and to a lesser degree from other programs, some of the technical “lessons learned” that may apply to future U.S. programs for waste management and waste disposal."

"The United States has a variety of waste forms with different chemical and physical properties because of their generation through defense activities, reactor-development work, and electricity production. Specialized deep geologic disposal methods that take advantage of these differences may be reasonable to consider. A possible scenario is using deep geologic repositories that permit retrieval of spent nuclear fuel and boreholes that preclude retrieval of waste forms that offer few or no further recycling advantages, such as vitrified high-level waste."

Urban Waters Federal Partnership

"The partnership offers an opportunity to realize urban waterway and watershed revitalization goals that are larger than, and beyond the resources of any individual community, agency, or mission. We can deliver solutions to help urban communities enjoy and prosper from healthy waters through collaboration with other agencies and the communities we collectively serve. The Department of the Army for Civil Works is committed to the vision, mission, and principles of this partnership. We are ready to assist in securing more vibrant and sustainable urban waters."

Call for papers: Planet Under Pressure 2012

The 2012 international Planet Under Pressure conference will provide a comprehensive update of the pressure planet Earth is now under. The conference will discuss solutions at all scales to move societies on to a sustainable pathway. It will provide scientific leadership towards the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development - Rio+20.

Key Aims
A state of the planet assessment and solutions for a sustainable future
2500 participants combining global-change science and policy, business and development communities.

Scientific leadership towards the 2012 UN Rio +20 conference
Building trans-disciplinary research communities

Identifying opportunities for enhanced partnerships between global change science and policy, industry and the public

A new vision for international research

Building on a comprehensive update of knowledge of the Earth system and the pressure it is under, the Planet Under Pressure conference will present and debate new insights into potential opportunities and constraints for innovative development pathways based on novel partnerships.

HUDSON RIVER ADVOCATE JOHN CRONIN AWARDED JEFFERSON GOLD MEDAL

"Renowned environmentalist and Pace University senior fellow John Cronin was presented with the prestigious Jefferson Award in a ceremony in Washington, DC, Tuesday night. Cronin was honored for a career spanning four decades "on the front line of water quality issues." The Jefferson Award, now in its 39th year, is named for Thomas Jefferson and was founded by former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis as a "Nobel Prize for public service." Two other recipients of the Jefferson Award this year were Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and actress Marlo Thomas.

In its presentation, the Jefferson Awards Board of Selectors said Cronin "has dedicated his career to water and environmental affairs. Described as 'Hero for the Planet' and 'equal parts detective, scientist and public advocate', his efforts have inspired a legacy of programs across the globe, fighting pollution on six continents."

State of the Climate in 2010 -- NOAA

"The primary goal of the annual State of the Climate collection of articles is to document the weather and climate events of the most recent calendar year and put them into accurate historical perspective, with a particular focus on unusual or anomalous events...This edition presents contributions from the largest body of authors to date and brings several new sections to the readership. The year 2010 was notable for its globally-averaged warmth and for the far-reaching impacts related to significant behavior of several modes of climate variability. These modes have unique influences and impacts throughout the climate system."

AEP v. Connecticut: The Decision and its Implications BNA Webinar

On June 20, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated ruling in American Electric Power Co., Inc., et al. v. Connecticut (AEP), the first climate change nuisance lawsuit to reach the high court. In an opinion written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Supreme Court ruled 8-0 that the Clean Air Act and Environmental Protection Agency regulations authorized by the act displace the federal common law cause of action. Reversing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruling, the high court held federal common law nuisance claims cannot be brought against utilities for their greenhouse gas emissions. The Second Circuit had allowed eight states, New York City, and three land trusts to move forward with claims against the utility company defendants alleging they have created a public nuisance by contributing to global warming.

Significantly, the Supreme Court split 4-4 on the issue of whether the petitioners demonstrated they had standing to bring the claim and affirmed the Second Circuit's ruling that they did. The Supreme Court did not address issues raised by petitioners at oral argument and in briefing regarding the political doctrine defense. It remanded the case for consideration of plaintiffs’ state law nuisance claim, which was not before the court on this appeal. The high court suggested that on remand the court should consider whether the state law cause of action is preempted. Clearly, the ruling in AEP will have broad implications for U.S. industries that emit greenhouse gases.

This 90-minute webinar, a second in a series, featuring Christina M. Carroll , J. Randolph Evans, and Joanne Zimolzak of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, is designed to help attendees:

•Become knowledgeable about the key points raised and outcomes resulting from the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the AEP case
•Analyze the impact and implications of the standing holding in the AEP case
•Understand how ongoing litigation may be impacted by the decision, including the effect on the outcome of a related case, Kivalina v. ExxonMobil Corp.
•Consider the interrelationships between the AEP decision and executive and legislative branch greenhouse gas emission policies, and
•Understand what the AEP case addressed and what questions remain

Monday, June 20, 2011

Creating Healthy Communities Through Design -- AIANY

The webinar.

Can transformations in the design of our communities, streets, and buildings inspire people to be more physically active and make our communities healthier, sustainable, and more economically resilient? This webinar will introduce the concept of active design and explore how communities across the country are encouraging walking, bicycling, stair climbing, and active recreation. Designing our communities to encourage greater physical activity is a way to counteract the most pressing health, environmental, and economic challenges of our time – from the epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes, to oil consumption and pollution from vehicle use, to spending on healthcare costs. Representatives from New York City, Augusta, Georgia, and the Mayors’ Institute on City Design will present health evidence and strategies included in the award-winning Active Design Guidelines (www.nyc.gov/adg), as well as successes and lessons learned in creating healthier communities.

When: June 28th from 3:30-5:00pm (EST)

New Library Acquisitions

Animal Law.
The animal connection : a new perspective on what makes us human / Pat Shipman

Climate Change.
Climate change and growth in Asia / edited by Moazzem Hossain, Eliyathamby Selvanathan

Climate change liability / edited by Michael Faure, Marjan Peters

High mountain glaciers and climate change : challenges to human livelihoods and adaptation [electronic resources] / Bjørn Petter Kaltenborn, Christian Nellemann and Ingunn Ims Vistnes

Energy Policy.
The end of energy : the unmaking of America's environment, security, and independence / Michael J. Graetz

Enforcement.
Pollution limits and polluters' efforts to comply : the role of government monitoring and enforcement / Dietrich H. Earnhart and Robert L. Glicksman

Environmentalism.
Green planet blues : four decades of global environmental politics / Ken Conca and Geoffrey D. Dabelko, editors

European Union.
The European Landscape Convention : challenges of participation / Michael Jones, Marie Stenseke, ed

Forests.
Forecasting forest futures : a hybrid modelling approach to the assessment of sustainability of forest ecosystems and their values / Hamish Kimmins ... [et al.]

Hudson River.
The state of the Hudson report [electronic resource] / New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

India.
Energy law in India / Mohammad Naseem

Latin America.
Latin America and the Caribbean : atlas of our changing environment [electronic resource] / UNEP

Periodicals.
Utah environmental law review

Sustainability.
Development without destruction : the UN and global resource management / Nico Schrijver ; forewords by James Crawford and Supachai Panitchpakdi

Technology.
Powering the dream : the history and promise of green technology / Alexis Madrigal

Urban Environment.
The city, revisited : urban theory from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York / Dennis R. Judd and Dick Simpson, editors

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Oil and Gas: Interior's Restructuring Challenges in the Aftermath of the Gulf Oil Spill -- GAO

This Government Accountability Report (GAO-11-734T), dated June 2, 2011, states that "GAO is concerned with Interior's ability to undertake this reorganization while meeting its revenue collection and oil and gas oversight responsibilities.

Balancing Responsibilities: GAO has reported that Interior has experienced several challenges with meeting its responsibilities for providing for the development of oil and gas resources while managing public lands for other uses, including wildlife habitat. For example, in September 2009, GAO reported that BLM's use of categorical exclusions under Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was frequently out of compliance with the law and BLM's internal guidance.

As a result, GAO recommended that BLM take steps to improve the implementation of Section 390. BLM has taken steps to address these recommendations, but it has not yet implemented all of them. Human Capital: GAO has reported that BLM and MMS have encountered persistent problems in hiring, training, and retaining sufficient staff to meet their oversight and management responsibilities for oil and gas operations. For example, in March 2010, GAO reported that BLM and MMS experienced high turnover rates in key oil and gas inspection and engineering positions responsible for production verification activities. As a result, Interior faces challenges meeting its responsibilities to oversee oil and gas development on federal leases, potentially placing both the environment and royalties at risk.

Revenue Collection: While federal oil and gas resources generate billions of dollars in annual revenues, past GAO work has found that Interior may not be properly assessing and collecting these revenues. In September 2008, GAO reported that Interior collected lower levels of revenues for oil and gas production in the deep water of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico than all but 11 of 104 oil and gas resource owners whose revenue collection systems were evaluated in a comprehensive industry study. As GAO recommended, Interior is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of its revenue collection policies and processes--the first in over 25 years. Interior expects to complete this study later this year.

Development of Existing Leases: In October 2008, GAO reported that Interior could do more to encourage the development of existing oil and gas leases. Federal leases contain one provision--increasing rental rates over time for offshore 5-year leases and onshore leases--to encourage development. In addition to escalating rental rates, states undertake additional efforts to encourage lessees to develop oil and gas leases more quickly, including shorter lease terms and graduated royalty rates. Recently, Interior has stated its intent to pursue legislation establishing a per acre fee on non-producing leases to encourage development of federal leases.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

New Library Acquisitions -- June 2, 2011

Agriculture.
Protection of maize under the Mexican biosafety law : environment and trade / Alicia Gutiérrez González

Arctic.
Protecting arctic biodiversity : limitations and strengths of environmental agreements

Polar law textbook / Natalia Loukacheva, editor

Biodiversity.
Species management : challenges and solutions for the 21st century / edited by: John M. Baxter and Colin A. Galbraith

Climate Change.
The fate of Greenland : lessons from abrupt climate change / Philip Conkling ... [et al.] ; photographs by Gary Comer

Environmental Management.
Environmental management : processes and practices for Australia / Ian Thomas and Paul Murfitt

Environmental health and safety audits / Lawrence B. Cahill, with Raymond W. Kane

Forests.
State of the world's forests 2011

Marine Resources.
Coral reefs : biology, threats, and restoration / Thomas B. Davin and Anna P. Brannet, editors

Sustainablity.
Sustainable planning in Queensland / Philippa England ; with a contribution and foreword by Judge Michael Rackemann

Implementing sustainability : the New Zealand experience / Caroline L. Miller

Sustainability in austerity : how local government can deliver during times of crisis / Philip Monaghan

Transportation.
Aerotropolis : the way we'll live next / John D. Kasarda, Greg Lindsay

Urban Environment.
Global urban analysis : a survey of cities in globalization / edited by Peter J. Taylor ... [et al.]

Water Resources.
Drought : past problems and future scenarios / Justin Sheffield and Eric F. Wood

Out of water : from abundance to scarcity and how to solve the world's water problems / Colin Chartres and Samyuktha Varma

Precious commodity : providing water for America's cities / Martin V. Melosi

Recent Law Review Articles -- May 2011

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW.
Bell, Mark M. A pragmatic approach to judicial review of informal guidance documents. 2 Faulkner L. Rev. 77-110 (2010).

Ruhl, J.B. and James Salzman. Gaming the past: the theory and practice of historic baselines in the administrative state. 64 Vand. L. Rev. 1-57 (2011).

Shapiro, Sidney A. and Ronald F. Wright. The future of the administrative presidency: turning administrative law inside-out. 65 U. Miami L. Rev. 577-620 (2011).

Symposium: What Change Will Come: The Obama Administration and the Future of the Administrative State. Keynote address by Carter Phillips; articles by Susan Rose-Ackerman, Edward Rubin, Cynthia R. Farina, Mary J. Newhart, Claire Cardie, Dan Cosley, Ronald J. Krotoszynski, Jr., Peter M. Shane, Harold J. Krent, Ronald M. Levin, Sidney A. Shapiro and Ronald F. Wright. 65 U. Miami L. Rev. 321-620 (2011).

AIR POLLUTION.
Behles, Deborah. Examining the air we breathe: EPA should evaluate cumulative impacts when it promulgates national ambient air quality standards. 28 Pace Envtl. L. Rev. 200-236 (2010).

Chang, Hannah. Domestic mitigation of black carbon from diesel emissions. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10126-10135 (2011).

Evans, John C. and Donald R. van der Vaart. When maybe is good enough: the Title V citizen petition. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10091-10097 (2011).

Understanding the New Air Pollution Rules. Chuck Knauss, moderator; Michael J. Bradley, Robert D. Brenner and John Walke, panelists. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10079-10090 (2011).

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.
Giddings, Nathaniel C. Go offshore young man! The categorical exclusion solution to offshore wind farm development on the outer continental shelf. 2 Geo. Wash. J. Energy & Envtl. L. 75-86 (2011).

Sherwin, Adam. “Sighting” wind energy facilities in Vermont: finding the right balance between societal benefits and aesthetic burden. 17 Buff. Envtl. L.J. 1-41 (2009-2010).

ATTORNEYS.
Bonine, John E. The divergent paths of environmental law practice: a reply to Professor Manaster. 28 Pace Envtl. L. Rev. 265-287 (2010).

Manaster, Kenneth A. The many paths of environmental practice: a response to professor Bonine. 28 Pace Envtl. L. Rev. 238-264 (2010).

BOOK REVIEWS.
Hobbs, Justice Gregory J., Jr. Seventh update to Colorado Water Law: An Historical Overview. 14 U. Denv. Water L. Rev. 159-171 (2010).

Percival, Robert V. Environmental law goes global: Taking Back Eden: Eight Environmental Cases That Changed the World, by Oliver A. Houck. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10194-10196 (2011).

CERCLA.
Tucker, William C. All is number: mathematics, divisibility and apportionment under Burlington Northern. [Corrected version.] 21 Fordham Envtl. L. Rev. 479-542 (2010).

CHINA.
Jiang, Xiaoyi. How do clean development mechanism projects contribute to sustainable development in China: an assessment of the performance of the CDM in China. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10260-10275 (2011).

CLEAN WATER ACT.
Houck, Oliver A. The Clean Water Act returns (again): part I, TMDLs and the Chesapeake Bay. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10208-10228 (2011).

CLIMATE CHANGE.
Boyd, William. Climate change, fragmentation, and the challenges of global environmental law: elements of a post-Copenhagen assemblage. 32 U. Pa. J. Int’l L. 457-550 (2010).

Carrico, Amanda R., et al. Energy and climate change: lessons for implementing the behavioral wedge. 2 Geo. Wash. J. Energy & Envtl. L. 61-67 (2011).

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.
Kaplan, Maya. Denmark’s achievement of energy independence: what the United States can learn. 18 Cardozo J. Int’l & Comp. L. 723-763 (2010).

CORPORATIONS.
Mafessanti, Miriam. Responsibility for environmental damage under international law: can MNCs bear the burden? ...and how? 17 Buff. Envtl. L.J. 87-105 (2009-2010).

Metcalf, Cherie. Corporate social responsibility as global public law: third party rankings as regulation by information. 28 Pace Envtl. L. Rev. 145-199 (2010).

ELECTRICAL UTILITIES.
Green, Michelle. Silencing the public’s voice: the adverse effects of ... (Mountain Communities for Responsible Energy v. Public Service Commission of West Virginia, 665 S.E.2d 315, 2008.) 113 W. Va. L. Rev. 555-583 (2011).

Tomasovic, Brian S. A high-voltage conflict on Blackacre: reorienting utility easement rights for electric reliability. 36 Colum. J. Envtl. L. 1-57 (2011).

EMISSIONS TRADING.
Fox, Jessica, Royal C. Gardner and Todd Maki. Stacking opportunities and risks in environmental credit markets. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10121-10125 (2011).

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.
Dake, Raymond. Trout of bounds: the effects of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals’ misguided Fifth Amendment takings analysis in Casitas Municipal Water District v. United States. 36 Colum. J. Envtl. L. 59-123 (2011).

Walter, Hanspeter. The outer limits of Endangered Species Act liability—the ESA’s indirect effect regulation and its application to climate change. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10204-10207 (2011).

ENERGY POLICY.
Bradbrook, Adrian J. Creating law for next generation energy technologies. 2 Geo. Wash. J. Energy & Envtl. L. 17-38 (2011).

Van Nostrand, James M. Legal issues in financing energy efficiency: creative solutions for funding the initial capital costs of investments in energy efficiency measures. 2 Geo. Wash. J. Energy & Envtl. L. 1-16 (2011).

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM.
Miller, W.S. Changing playing fields: the sports attorney’s obligation to learn green. 21 Marq. Sports L. Rev. 139-182 (2010).

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW.
Recent developments. In the Congress. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10156-10158 (2011).

Recent developments. In the courts. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10158-10160 (2011).

Recent developments. In the federal agencies. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10160-10164 (2011).

Recent developments. In the state agencies. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10165-10169 (2011).

Recent journal literature. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10170-10171 (2011).

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.
Remarks of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Pace Law School commencement speaker, May 16, 2010. 28 Pace Envtl. L. Rev. 318-323 (2010).

FISHERIES.
Korman, Seth. International management of a high seas fishery: political and property-rights solutions and the Atlantic bluefin. 51 Va. J. Int’l L. 697-748 (2011).

FORESTS.
Nie, Martin. Place-based national forest legislation and agreements: common characteristics and policy recommendations. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10229-10246 (2011).

GLOBAL WARMING.
Brown, Shannon. A fly in the ointment: why federal preemption doctrine and 42 U.S.C. § 7431 do not preclude local land use regulations related to global warming. 23 Regent U. L. Rev. 239-261 (2010-2011).

Dumas, Graham Frederick. A greener revolution: using the right food as a political weapon against climate change. 43 N.Y.U. J. Int’l L. & Pol. 107-158 (2010).

GREENHOUSE GASES.
Farrell, James R. The future of the Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10247-10259 (2011).

Morrow, Nicholas G. Federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions a practical certainty: how will the Texas energy industry survive—maybe thrive? 17 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev. 237-264 (2011).

Richardson, Nathan, Art Fraas and Dallas Burtraw. Greenhouse gas regulation under the Clean Air Act: structure, effects, and implications of a knowable pathway. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10098-10120 (2011).

HAZARDOUS WASTE.
Quadri, Shaza. An analysis of the effects and reasons for hazardous waste importation in India and its implementation of the Basel Convention. 22 Fla. J. Int’l L. 467-495 (2010).

LAND USE.
Sterk, Stewart E. Structural obstacles to settlement of land use disputes. 91 B.U. L. Rev. 227-272 (2011).

LAW OF THE SEA.
Purvis, Chelsea. Coastal state jurisdiction under UNCLOS: the Shen Neng 1 grounding on the Great Barrier Reef. 36 Yale J. Int’l L. 207-217 (2011).

LAW SCHOOLS.
Symposium: The Role of Law Schools and Law School Leadership in a Changing World. Introduction by Louis F. Del Duca and Gianluca Gentili; articles by Michael Coper, Chuma Himonga, Francis S.L. Wang, Cheng-Han Tan, Aalt Willem Heringa, Louis F. Del Duca, Mónica Pinto, Alejandro Gomez, Claudio Grossman and Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker. 29 Penn St. Int’l L. Rev. 1-128 (2010).

LEGAL PROCESS.
Pollock, Brian. Pillaging the land: consideration of judicial control of damage awards to prevent windfalls at the expense of the environment. 48 U. Louisville L. Rev. 419-440 (2009).

MILITARY.
Kurera, Kate Donovan. Military burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan: considerations and obstacles for emerging litigation. 28 Pace Envtl. L. Rev. 288-317 (2010).

MINING.
Benson, Reed D. New adventures of the old Bureau: modern-day reclamation statutes and Congress’s unfinished environmental business. 48 Harv. J. on Legis. 137-184 (2011).

NANOTECHNOLOGY.
Popovsky, Mark. Nanotechnology and environmental insurance. 36 Colum. J. Envtl. L. 125-161 (2011).

NATURAL GAS.
Porter, Jacob L. Underground fences and storage gas migration: K.S.A Section 55-1210 and legislating property rights to injected natural gas. 50 Washburn L.J. 177-202 (2010).

NEPA.
Forman, Isaac. The uncertain future of NEPA and mountaintop removal. 36 Colum. J. Envtl. L. 163-194 (2011).
Reiley, Robert. The evolution of NEPA in the fight against climate change. 5 Pitt. J. Envtl. L. & Pub. Health L. 1-47 (2011).

NUISANCE.
Johnson, Stephen M. From climate change and hurricanes to ecological nuisances: common law remedies for public law failures? 27 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 565-608 (2011).

OIL.
Leibold, Annalisa M. Aligning incentives for development: the world bank and the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline. 36 Yale J. Int’l L. 167-205 (2011).

OIL SPILLS.
Cohen, Drew. Resuscitating Erin Brockovich after the BP oil spill: carving out an exception to the Class Action Fairness Act for environmental disaster suits. 2 Geo. Wash. J. Energy & Envtl. L. 72-74 (2011).

Evans-Cowley, Jennifer and Andrew Canter. Hurricanes, oil spills, and discrimination, oh my: the story of the Mississippi Cottage. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10136-10155 (2011).

POLITICS.
Bruce, Jim. Who will reap from FLEEEP? Gaining new federal contracting business under Obama’s executive order on federal agency sustainability. 2 Geo. Wash. J. Energy & Envtl. L. 68-71 (2011).

PUBLIC UTILITIES.
Pankiw, Bohdan R. Comment on due process cases involving the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission: why due process short cuts never work. 20 Widener L.J. 263-290 (2010).

RAIN FORESTS.
McKim, Sarah. Sustainable solutions: an integrated approach to REDD project planning. 2 Geo. Wash. J. Energy & Envtl. L. 87-101 (2011).

RENEWABLE RESOURCES.
The “Perfect Storm” for Renewable Energy: Policy Drivers and Decisionmaking. David Lazerwitz, moderator; Joshua Basofin, Ashley Conrad-Saydah, Roger Johnson and Sue Kateley, panelists. 41 Envtl. L. Rep. News & Analysis 10179-10193 (2011).

RISK ANALYSIS.
Symposium 2010: The Challenge of Systemic Risk Regulation. Opening remarks by Matthew Diller; introduction to remarks by Eric Pan; remarks by Rodge Cohen, Malcolm Knight and Julie Dickson; panelists Richard Murray, Tom Quadman, Andrea Corcoran, Roberta Karmel and Marc Saidenberg, panelists. 18 Cardozo J. Int’l & Comp. L. 561-631 (2010).

STATE AND LOCAL LAW.
Lewis, Tonya R. The plenary power of states to protect citizens from environmental hazards: who’s failing? 17 Buff. Envtl. L.J. 43-85 (2009-2010).

Porteshawver, Alex. Under review: stadium construction and state environmental policy acts. 21 Marq. Sports L. Rev. 339-360 (2010).

SUPERFUND.
Gallo, Madeline. From wood treatment to unequal treatment: the story of the St. Regis Superfund Site. 29 Law & Ineq. 175-209 (2011).

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
Nightengale, Gwendolyn K. A sustainable future: a proposal for improving the effectiveness of Farmer Field Schools in Indonesia and Ghana. 3 Hum. Rts. & Globalization L. Rev. 9-31 (2009/2011).

TAKINGS.
Cressler, William. Contribution of the Commonwealth Court to condemnation law since 1970. 20 Widener L.J. 193-237 (2010).

TAXATION.
Margalioth, Yoram. Tax policy analysis of climate change. 64 Tax L. Rev. 63-98 (2010).

TRANSNATIONAL WATERWAYS.
McLane, Ryan P. The St. Mary River and the Milk River: two rivers, one stream. 14 U. Denv. Water L. Rev. 131-157 (2010).

WATER LAW.
Martin-Nagle, Renee. Fossil aquifers: a common heritage of mankind. 2 Geo. Wash. J. Energy & Envtl. L. 39-60 (2011).

Tarlock, Dan. How well can water law adapt to the potential stresses of global climate change? 14 U. Denv. Water L. Rev. 1-45 (2010).

WATER RESOURCES.
Pilz, Robert David. Lessons in water policy innovation from the world’s driest inhabited continent: using water allocation plans and water markets to manage water scarcity. 14 U. Denv. Water L. Rev. 97-130 (2010).

Ziemer, Laura, Stan Bradshaw and Meg Casey. Changing changes; a roadmap for Montana’s water management. 14 U. Denv. Water L. Rev. 47-95 (2010).

ZONING.
Shoked, Nadav. The reinvention of ownership: the embrace of residential zoning and the modern populist reading of property. 28 Yale J. on Reg. 91-149 (2011).

Nuclear Waste: Disposal Challenges and Lessons Learned from Yucca Mountain -- GAO

This Government Accountability Office report (GAO-11-731T), dated June 1, 2011, finds that uncertainties exist about the direction of the nation’s policy for nuclear waste disposal. Under NWPA, DOE investigated Yucca Mountain as a site for a repository. In 2002, DOE recommended the site to the President and in 2008 submitted a license application to NRC.

DOE is now seeking to withdraw the application from NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board. DOE did not cite technical or safety issues but stated that Yucca Mountain is not a workable option because of a lack of public acceptance by the people of Nevada. On June 29, 2010, the board denied DOE’s motion, ruling that NWPA requires DOE to continue the licensing effort.

The NRC commissioners announced they might consider reviewing the board’s decision, but as of May 26, 2011, no review had been announced. Separately, state and local governments and a private party filed suit in federal court against DOE and NRC in an effort to stop the repository termination. The court has not yet ruled. Amid this uncertainty, DOE took steps to shut down Yucca Mountain by September 30, 2010. DOE also established a Blue Ribbon Commission to evaluate alternatives for nuclear waste disposal, which plans to report by January 2012.

Three primary waste storage options offer benefits but also face challenges, including high costs. Two options are for interim storage—continued on-site or centralized storage—which could allow time for research into new approaches that might have wider public acceptance than the Yucca Mountain permanent repository. Continued on-site storage would require less effort to implement since it is the current method of waste storage.

However, this option could trigger significant financial liabilities as a result of industry lawsuits stemming from DOE’s failure to accept the waste in 1998, as required under NWPA. The federal government has already paid $956 million, and future liabilities are estimated to be at least $15.4 billion through 2020. DOE and the Navy also might not meet certain commitments to remove their waste from two states, which could bring penalties and a suspension of the Navy’s shipments of spent fuel, raising concerns about the Navy’s ability to refuel its nuclear-powered warships.

The second interim option, centralized interim storage, may face challenges because DOE states that it currently has no authority to implement this option.

The third option, a geologic repository, is widely considered the only currently feasible option for permanently disposing of nuclear waste. DOE has faced challenges in identifying an acceptable site for permanent geologic disposal. Restarting the search would likely take decades and cost billions of dollars. Published reports and interviews--with federal, state, and local government officials and representatives of various organizations--suggest two broad lessons that can be learned from past nuclear waste management efforts.