Faculty Speaker Series: The Clean Power Plan: Burning the Constitution or Putting out the Fire?

​​Speaker: ​Patrick Parenteau, Senior Counsel, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic and Professor of Law, Vermont Law School

On August 3rd, EPA released its historic clean power plan aiming to reduce carbon pollution by 32% below 2012 levels by 2030. On August 4th, the first wave of lawsuits seeking to kill the plan had already been filed by coal-dependent states and their industry allies. July may have been the hottest month on record but the rhetoric over this plan is even hotter. This promises to be an epic showdown that will have to be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court. Will the plan – and the planet – survive? Come find out.

Professor Patrick A. Parenteau, formerly director of Vermont Law School’s Environmental Law Center and of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic, is nationally recognized for his expertise regarding endangered species and biological diversity, water quality and wetlands, environmental policy and litigation, and climate change. He was recently elected to the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL).

This event is part of the 2015 Fall Faculty Speaker Series.  Light refreshments will be served.