

Environmental law also is related to Energy law, which is its own significant and distinct practice area. Electric power supply is the last regulated industry in the U.S., with state and federal regulatory agencies engaged in substantial regulation of price, choice of energy technologies, and terms of service. Energy law involves a combination of administrative regulatory practice, environmental, tax and corporate law practice. With fundamental deregulation of electric power in 18 states, and "smart grid" investment in more energy efficiency and renewable energy, the energy law field is very active and designated as a ‘hot’ area of law and employment opportunities.

Conventional environmental law practice includes the permitting, and enforcement, of permit emission restrictions to the air, land, and water by state and federal environmental agencies for private companies. Second, a significant aspect of environmental and energy law practice involves the setting of environmental policy, involving environmental and nongovernmental organizations, state and federal legislative committees, and private entities. There is both a domestic and international dimension to current environmental regulation. Since many pollutants have now been shown to migrate in air from California to Massachusetts, from Massachusetts to Europe, and from Japan to California, there is a cross-border and international dimension to environmental practice. The ongoing debate on global warming is one primary example of the truly international dimension of environmental challenges and policy.

Third, site contamination issues invoke much environmental law focus. A significant subset of environmental law has involved actions to determine whether environmental contamination of pollutants is covered by various insurance policies utilized by most corporations. In addition, district attorneys now employ attorneys who prosecute environmental crimes and liability. Environmental & energy law affects all companies, all levels of government, and all citizens.

Most large law firms have environmental attorneys. In addition to government, NGO and nonprofit organizations, and private practice, there is a significant amount of involvement by consulting and engineering firms, as well as by the major accounting firms and their related business consulting arms. Energy law concerns the very infrastructure of the modern world. Without sufficient electricity, there would be no computers, no Internet, a 19th century way of life.

For students interested in this field, the following 6 courses, coupled with work in an externship, an independent Directed Study with a professor or serving as a Research Assistant to a professor working in this area, are suggested for consideration.