Environmental & Energy Law Courses

Foundational courses survey the range of statutes, regulatory practices, and judicial decisions in the environment and energy field. Advanced courses and seminars provide in-depth coverage of several environmental statutes as well as a number of environment and energy practice areas. JD candidates may earn Recognition of a JD Concentration in Environmental Law by successfully completing 14 credits of coursework in Environmental Law, including three required courses—Environmental Law (6430), Natural Resources Law (6440) and Administrative Law (6400)—two credits of experiential learning, and completion of a writing requirement based on an environmental law topic.

JD candidates may earn Recognition of a JD Concentration in Energy Law by successfully completing 14 credits of coursework in Energy Law and Environmental Law, which must include Energy Law and Regulation (6438) and Administrative Law (6400). In addition, students are required to take at least four credits from among the following courses: Energy Law Seminar (6441)**, Oil and Gas Law (6443), Atomic Energy Law (6459); and Air Pollution Control (6432). Finally, students must have two credits of experiential learning and complete a writing requirement based on an energy law topic.

Courses

Foundation Courses

  • Administrative Law (6400)
  • Environmental Law (6430)
  • Energy Law and Regulation (6438)
  • Natural Resources Law (6440)

Advanced Courses

  • Advanced International Trade Law (6527)
  • Air Pollution Control (6432)
  • Animal Law Seminar (6424)
  • Atomic Energy Law (6459)
  • Coastal, Navigation, and Wetlands Resource Law (6437)
  • Control of Solid and Hazardous Wastes (RCRA & CERCLA) (6442)
  • Disaster Law (6880)
  • Energy Law Seminar (6441)
  • Environment and Energy Policy Practicum (6460)
  • Environmental and Toxic Torts (6449)
  • Environmental Crimes (6464)
  • Environmental Issues in Business Transactions (6452)
  • Environmental Law Seminar (6466)
  • Environmental Law Seminar (6466): Food and Agriculture
  • Environmental Lawyering (6469)
  • Environmental Negotiations (6458)
  • Federal Facilities Environmental Law Issues (6450)
  • Graduate Environmental Placement (6468)
  • Human Rights and Environmental Protection (6571)
  • International Climate Change Law (6455)
  • International Environmental Law (6454)
  • International Trade Law (6526)
  • Land Use Law (6332)       
  • Law of the Sea (6550)
  • Nuclear Nonproliferation Law and Policy (6877)
  • Oil and Gas Law (6443)
  • Regulated Industries (6406)
  • Regulation of Toxic Substances Risk (6444)
  • Selected Topics in Environmental Law (6461): Microgrids and State Law Regulation
  • Selected Topics in Environmental Law (6461): Global and Comparative Environmental Law
  • Trade and Sustainable Development (6435) 
  • Water Pollution Control (6434)
  • Wildlife and Ecosystems Law (6431)

Cross-cutting courses with elements of environmental or energy law

  • International Project Finance (6545)1
  • Law and Regulation of Science (6607)2
  • Law of the European Union (6534)3
  • Local Government Law (6422)4
  • Scientific Evidence Seminar (6248)5
  • Space Law (6548)6

Field Placement

  • Environmental Law Field Placement (6668)
  • Advanced Environmental Law Field Placement (6667)

Journal

  • The George Washington Journal of Energy and Environmental Law (6664)

Moot Courts

Moot Court: National Energy & Sustainability Moot Court Competition, Robert R. Merhige National Environmental Negotiation Competition, Pace National Environmental Moot Court Competition (6644)7

 

1Includes electric generation facilities

2Includes difficulties of causation in toxic torts, hazardous substances, public health, debate over evolution, human genome mapping

3Covers the Common Agricultural Policy

4Includes land use planning

5For students without science background who want to go into regulation, pollution control, etc.

6Includes pollution and contamination of outer space, earth observations, remote sensing

7Can be offered in years when moot court board members field a team in this subject area, depending on student interest

For students interested in the practice of energy law, the GW Law-University of Groningen Energy Law Program provides a unique opportunity for GW students to conduct joint research projects with students from the University of Groningen that includes travel to the University of Groningen. 


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS