ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources to host virtual fall conference, Oct. 13-15

The American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources will hold its 29th Fall Conference online on Oct. 13-15, with 12 panel discussions focused on the environmental priorities of the Biden administration.

The prerecorded keynote presentation on Oct. 13 will feature Brenda Mallory, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Policy.

Program highlights will include:

• “Assessing the Transforming Legal Frameworks Governing Our Energy Systems” – This panel will outline a primer on the legal frameworks of our current energy generation and distribution systems. Panelists are Becky Diffen, Norton Rose Fulbright, Austin, Texas; Mason Emnett, Exelon Corporation, Washington, D.C.; Natalie Karas, Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, D.C.; and moderator Noah Shaw, Foley Hoag, New York City.—Oct. 13, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

• “Perspectives and Priorities from Senior Biden Administration Officials on the Biggest Environmental, Energy and Resources Challenges and Opportunities” – The Biden administration acted quickly to put into motion key policy changes and priorities aimed at an “all of government” approach to addressing climate change and ensuring that fundamental rights to clean air and water are enjoyed by all. This panel of senior government officials will discuss key regulatory and enforcement developments and how the federal landscape for environmental, energy and resources lawyers is changing under the Biden administration. Panelists are Melissa Hoffer, principal deputy general counsel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.; Todd Kim, assistant attorney general, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.; John Putnam, acting general counsel, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.; and moderator Timothy Webster, Sidley Austin LLP, Washington, D.C.—Oct. 14, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

• “Environmental Justice: By the People, for the People” – The events of 2020 surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, the focus of the Biden administration and COVID-19 inequities have catalyzed a nationwide discussion on environmental justice. Panelists from across sectors will focus on implementation of environmental justice principles in legal practice and share their perspective on how achieving equitable outcomes under federal and state statutes, regulations and other policies intersect with the practice of law and the role of lawyers. Panelists are Shalanda Baker, secretarial adviser on equity and deputy director for energy justice, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.; Gwen Keyes Fleming, Van Ness Feldman, Washington, D.C.; Cecilia Martinez, senior director for environmental justice, White House Council on Environmental Quality, Washington, D.C.; and moderator Loan Nguyen, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.—Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to noon

Cost for the online conference is $250 for section members, $325 for ABA members, $500 for general attendees, and free for law students.

To learn more about the 29th Fall Conference, visit www.americanbar.org/groups/environment_energy_resources.