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en vironmental perspectives
14 conference’s panelists sought. FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff gave the closing day keynote and highlighted many of the same concerns raised in the panels. Chairman Wellinghoff pointed out the murkiness that remains in the discussion of whether state-regulated utilities or third parties can produce the best DR results. Non-utility DR providers are a significant factor in increasing the amount of DR bid into a system, and thirdparty providers might help to avoid consumer backlash against Smart Grid costs because consumers can more easily understand their equipment installations and revenue-sharing arrangements when they are not backed into that structure by their utility. The first annual Conference on the Law of Demand Response addressed several key questions facing DR. Overall, the certainty that can be gained from standardization stood out as the primary concern facing regulators and utilities. It is clear that DR offers a valuable opportunity towards maximizing energy supply and demand efficiency. And with many key questions on the legal and regulatory framework surrounding DR remaining unresolved, participants left with a sense of optimism regarding the next annual conference. ★
En vironmental Protection at the Leading Edge of Technology
The 2011 J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Environmental Law Conference, co-sponsored by GW Law, the Environmental Law Institute, the Journal of Energy and Environmental Law, and GW Law’s Environmental Law Association, focused on “Environmental Protection at the Leading Edge of Technology.” The conference was designed to explore issues surrounding the need for anticipatory governance structures applicable to
technological advancements in our modern society that may pose threats to human health and the environment in ways that are yet unknown or can only be speculated. Sessions highlighted emerging areas of technology including geo-engineering, synthetic biology, hydraulic fracturing, and deepwater drilling, as well as the continued use and development of nanotechnology. Invited panelists described these technologies, examined the strengths and weaknesses of existing governance structures as applicable to the technologies, and posited potential new approaches for government
oversight and the use of industry self-regulation and self-governance. The role of public engagement and stakeholder interest with the intersection of technology and environmental protection was also addressed. The conference was held on March 23 and 24, 2011, in the Jacob Burns Moot Court Room. For more information about this exciting conference, please visit the Environmental Law website at www.law.gwu.edu/ environmental or ELI’s website at www.eli.org. GreenGov Conference
On October 5 through 7, 2010, the university, the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, and the Federal Environmental Executive co-hosted the GreenGov conference. The conference, which attracted over 800 participants, brought together federal agency staff from a wide range of agencies to discuss implementation of President Obama’s Executive Order 13514. The order establishes specific time lines for federal agencies to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, conserve water, reduce waste, and use environmentally responsible products and technologies. The Law School hosted two panels. The first panel focused on procurement law issues and was co-chaired by Professor Steve Schooner and Professor Chris Yukins, the co-directors of the Government Procurement program. The second panel, chaired by Professor Robert Glicksman, provided attendees with a primer on climate law.
JEEL Makes Strides in Second Year
GW Law’s Journal of Energy and Environmental Law (JEEL) continues to make strides in its second year—in publication, web presence, and innovation in the production process. The student-edited journal is published in cooperation with the Environmental Law Institute. Volume two became available in late January and includes articles on a wide variety of topics, including financing energy efficiency, next-generation energy technologies, and the “greening” of the federal government’s procurement process. Students are currently working on production of the summer edition. JEEL introduced a website and blog this fall. The website (available at groups.law.gwu.edu/ jeel) features articles from the most recent edition of the journal, highlights from the blog,
and information about upcoming events. The blog provides up-to-date perspectives on current issues of concern to the environmental and energy law communities. It is available at gwujeel.wordpress.com and welcomes posting submissions from students, alumni, professors, and practitioners, in addition to journal members. The journal also introduced an e-production process for volume two. Initiated by JEEL’s founding editorial board, this virtually paperless process is not