Prepare Now as Pressure Mounts
for Tougher Federal Oversight
***Western Climate Initiative Announces Recommendations
for Regional Cap and Trade Program***
CD of Teleconference with Q&A
Click here for program outline
Conducted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Now available on CD
Sponsored by the Digest of Environmental Law
and the Legal Publishing Group of Strafford Publications
Environmental Law Teleconference Advisory Board
On July 31, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and New York City joined with environmental groups to file a notice of intent to sue the EPA in an effort to force the agency to establish standards to reduce GHGs from ships, aircraft and off-road vehicles in this country.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that the EPA has the authority to regulate emissions linked to climate change, but the agency has not yet acted.
State and local governments and environmental groups are pushing American companies to address global warming and greenhouse gas emission (GHG) issues through their own legislation, regulations and even lawsuits to hold companies accountable for emissions that contribute to climate change.
The federal government thus far has done little — are the actions by states and environmental groups a precursor to change by a new White House?
Listen as our authoritative panel of environmental attorneys reviews the current state of the law and regulation affecting climate change issues for U.S. companies. The panel will discuss strategies that businesses should consider implementing now to reduce the risks and liabilities related to GHGs.
The panel included:
Michael B. Gerrard, Partner, Arnold & Porter, New York. He has practiced environmental law in New York since 1979 and handles the environmental aspects of many transactions and development projects. He maintains a case chart on climate change litigation. He heads the New York office and its Environmental Practice. His most recent book is Global Climate Change and U.S. Law (American Bar Association 2007).
Jeffrey A. Smith, Partner, Cravath Swaine & Moore, New York. His practice encompasses environmental matters relating to financings, underwritings and mergers and acquisitions, nationally and internationally in all industries, including the financial sector. He provides day-to-day counseling on environmental regulatory and compliance issues and advice on environmental litigation, including mass toxic torts and asbestos defense and related insurance issues.
Andrew McKeon, Principal, carbonRational, New York. He is the founder of carbonRational and one of its principals. He focuses on how sound management theory points towards addressing anthropogenic climate change at a systems level.
The panel reviewed these and other key questions:
- What is the current state of the state and federal regulatory environment concerning climate change?
- What are the potential legal exposures for companies whose operations involve potentially harmful emissions — and how can those risks be mitigated?
- What are the key elements of an effective response plan for businesses dealing with climate change risks and liabilities?
TELECONFERENCE CD
Purchase a CD-ROM of the full conference proceedings, including Q&A and PDF files of all handouts (available 10 days after the program).
- Regular Price - $297 (plus $9.45 S&H)
- With Teleconference Registration – an additional $75 (plus $9.45 S&H)
CLE credit is available for an additional $65 each for attorneys seeking CLE credits for NY or CT.
Other states may grant CLE credits for listening to this CD - check with your state about applying for self-study credit on CD-listening.