10th Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law (10th Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium)
Looking beyond fossil fuels in the trump era
On Friday, November 9, 2018, the University of San Diego School of Law will host its Tenth Annual Lesley K. McAllister Climate & Energy Law Symposium. The theme of our 2018 Climate & Energy Law Symposium is “Looking Beyond Fossil Fuels in the Trump Era.” The first year of the Trump presidency marked a significant change in climate and energy policy. The Trump Administration has worked to reverse many of the climate and energy policies put in place during the Obama years and has sought to expand fossil fuel production and development. At the University of San Diego’s Tenth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium, academic and policy experts will analyze and assess several aspects of this complex issue.
The University of San Diego Climate & Energy Law Symposium is co-hosted by the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) and the San Diego Journal of Climate & Energy Law.
Symposium Overview
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The transition from the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency marked a significant change in approaches to climate and energy policy. The current Administration has stated its intent to reverse much of the Obama era climate and energy policy and regulation. At the University of San Diego’s Ninth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium, state leaders, practitioners, and legal scholars will analyze and assess a range of related topics on three panels.
- Federal Policy on Fossil Fuels Under Trump
During Trump’s first year in office, his Administration has advanced policies to expand fossil fuel production by seeking to expand offshore drilling, withdrawing land from National Monuments, and withdrawing or significantly amending existing or proposed regulations from the Clean Power Plan to methane, among others. These actions raise numerous legal and policy issues in the areas of coastal and marine protection, public lands, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions regulations, pipeline approval, and the possibility of conflicts between the states and the federal government over policy and Constitutional issues.
- Federal Fossil Fuel Policies and California Climate Goals
How do policies to expand fossil affect California’s legal ability to pursue its state statutory greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2030? How could decisions on (1) whether current Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for 2025 will remain in place and (2) the outcome of the California Air Resources Board’s pursuit of a waiver under the Clean Air Act affect California’s goal to reduce emissions from transportation? How would expanded oil production, particularly from offshore drilling affect California’s ability to meet its greenhouse gas targets? How will the Department of Defense’s exclusion zones affect offshore wind development and how does this differ from offshore fossil fuel development leases?
- Pathways to Deep Decarbonization
How do Trump Administration policies on fossil fuels affect pathways to long-term deep decarbonization, including leaving fossil fuels in the ground? Will market forces make fossil fuels less competitive regardless of policies to expand production? What role could nuclear energy play in reaching greenhouse gas reduction targets in 2050 and beyond?
| Time | Event |
| 8:00am - 8:45am | Continental Breakfast and Registration |
| 8:45am - 9:00am |
Welcome by Margaret Dalton, Associate Dean and Professor of Law, USD School of Law |
| 9:00am - 10:00am | KEYNOTE PANEL
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| 10:00am - 10:15am | Break |
| 10:15am - Noon | PANEL 1: Federal Policies on Fossil Fuels under Trump
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| Noon - 1:15pm | Lunch |
| 1:15pm - 3:00pm |
PANEL 2: Federal Fossil Fuel Policies and California Climate Goals (Federal-State Issues)
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| 3:00pm - 3:15pm | Break |
| 3:15pm - 5:15pm |
PANEL 3: Pathways to Deep Decarbonization
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| 5:15pm - 5:30pm | CLOSING REMARKS |
| 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Reception |
- Registration categories and fees are provided below. Registration fees includes materials, breakfast, luncheon, refreshment breaks, and symposium reception.
- Student discounts are available.
- Unfortunately we are not able to allow refunds. Please confirm your schedule prior to registering.
Registration CategoryEarly Bird RegistrationAfter October 16
| General Admission with MCLE | $ 200 | $ 250 |
| General Admission without MCLE | $ 100 | $ 150 |
| USD Law Alumni, Academic, Government, and Non-profit with MCLE | $150 | $175 |
| USD Law Alumni, Academic, Government, and Non-profit without MCLE | $50 | $75 |
| Students and USD Faculty & Staff | $20 | $45 |
School of Leadership and Education Sciences (Mother Rosalie Hill Hall)
Warren Auditorium, Room 116
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego CA 92110
| FROM THE NORTH | FROM THE SOUTH | FROM THE EAST |
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From all directions, once you enter the west entrance:
- Proceed up the hill and follow the signs to the West Parking structure. Attendants will direct you to a parking space.
- Tram service will be available from 8 – 9 a.m. from the West Parking structure to Mother Rosalie Hill Hall, which will be the first building on your left side (across from Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice).
- The symposium will be held in Warren Auditorium, which will be down the hall on your right side in room 116.
- View Mother Rosalie Hill Hall on USD's campus map.
PARKING INFORMATION:
Visitors are required to display a valid permit Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and are required to pay for parking on campus. Metered parking is available in mulitple locations on campus but we recommend you park in the West Lot and take the designated tram to Mother Rosalie Hill Hall. The tram will have a sign posted on the window that reads "Climate & Energy Law Symposium" and will run 10-15 minutes. Rates for parking in the West Lot are as follows:
- 30 minutes - $0.75
- 1 Hour - $1.50
- 2 Hours - $3.00
- 4 Hours - $4.00
- Full Day - $8.00
Mass Transit
For attendees wishing to use mass transit, please be advised that schedules and services are limited; consulting schedules in advance is highly recommended. The most convenient hub is the Old Town Transit Center, which is served by bus, the San Diego Trolley, and the Coaster commuter train. The Old Town station is served by USD shuttle buses.
The University of San Diego School of Law is a State Board of California-approved MCLE provider and certifies that this activity is approved for 6.25 hours of general credit.
The University of San Diego’s lodging partner is Bartell Hotels.
Please send all inquires related to this event to Climate and Energy Law Symposium Coordinator
USD.CELS.Coordinator@gmail.com
Energy and Climate Policy Under the Current Presidential Administration, Congress, and Courts
The ninth annual Symposium took place on November 3, 2017. The discussion included the transition from the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency marking a significant change in approaches to climate and energy policy. The current Administration has stated its intent to reverse much of the Obama era climate and energy policy and regulation. At the University of San Diego’s Ninth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium, state leaders, practitioners, and legal scholars analyzed and assessed a range of related topics on three panels.
- View agenda from the Ninth Annual Climate and Energy Symposium
- Watch the webcast from the Ninth Annual Climate and Energy Symposium
The Changing Landscape of Energy and Climate Policy in the West
The eighth annual symposium took place on November 4, 2016 and featured a keynote panel with Travis Kavulla, Commissioner of Montana Public Service Commission and President and Chairman of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC); DeAnn (Dede) Hapner, Vice President of FERC and ISO Relations, Pacific Gas and Electric Company; and Adrianna Kripke, Senior Environmental Counsel of San Diego Gas & Electric. Speakers discussed the regional expansion of the California ISO, regional climate and energy policy approaches, and the state approaches to climate and energy policy in the west.
- View agenda from the Eighth Annual Climate and Energy Symposium
- Watch the webcast from the Eighth Annual Climate and Energy Symposium
California to Paris: Linking Energy and Climate Policy at the Subnational, National, and International Levels
The seventh annual symposium took place on November 7, 2015 and featured a keynote panel with Congressman Scott Peters (D-52) and Ken Alex, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jerry Brown. Speakers discussed the legal challenges and state responses to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, the role of subnational entities, including state, provinces, and cities in international climate agreements, and expectations for the Paris Climate talks.
- View agenda from the Seventh Annual Climate and Energy Symposium
- Watch webcast from the Seventh Annual Climate and Energy Symposium
Innovative Regulatory and Business Models in a Changing Electric Industry
The sixth annual symposium took place on November 7, 2014 and featured a keynote panel with Jon Wellinghoff, Stoel Rives Partner and former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Jim Avery, Senior Vice President of Power Supply at San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Speakers discussed options for the utility of the future, the role of distributed technologies as drivers of change, and possible regulatory models compatible with the future of the electric grid.
- View agenda from the Sixth Annual Climate & Energy Symposium
- Watch webcast from the Sixth Annual Climate & Energy Symposium
California in the Spotlight: Successes and Challenges in Climate Change Law
The fifth annual symposium, which took place on November 8, 2013, featured keynote addresses by Congressman Scott Peters and Virgil Welsh, Special Assistant to Chair Mary Nichols at the California Air Resources Board. Speakers discussed the strengths and weaknesses of California’s cap-and-trade program, the outlook for emission reductions in the transportation sector, and the promotion of low-carbon energy, particularly solar energy.
- View agenda from the Fifth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
- Watch webcast from the Fifth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
Law in a Distributed Energy Future
The fourth annual symposium featured keynote addresses by then California Energy Commission Commissioner Carla Peterman and Ken Alex, Senior Advisor to Governor Jerry Brown and Director of the Office of Planning and Research. Speakers discussed the rules that govern the electricity grid change to incorporate distributed generation, the possibilities for generating energy at the neighborhood and community levels, and the legal and policy innovations at the federal, state and local levels needed to accommodate a distributed energy future.
- View agenda from the Fourth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
- Watch webcast from the Fourth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
Advancing a Clean Energy Future
The third annual symposium featured a keynote address by Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Panelists discussed the role of states in renewable energy development, policies to encourage clean energy and energy efficiency, and the balance between renewable energy development and environmental concerns.
- View agenda from the Third Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
- Watch webcast from the Third Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
Next-Generation Regulation: Instrument Choice in Climate Law
The second annual symposium featured a keynote address by Jody Freeman, Professor of Law at Harvard University and Former White House Counselor for Energy and Climate Change. Panelists discussed market mechanism and tax law options to reduce greenhouse gases and whether traditional legal and policy mechanisms are still relevant. The 2010 symposium also included a workshop on the challenges of and opportunities for siting renewable energy systems, which included a keynote presentation by former California Energy Commissioner John Geesman.
- View agenda from the Second Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
- Watch webcast from the Second Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
Federal Preemption or State Prerogative: California in the Face of National Climate Policy
The keynote speaker was Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board. Panelists discussed whether states law and policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are preempted by federal law and ways to integrate state and federal actions.
- View agenda from the First Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium
- Watch webcast from the First Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium