Student contributors take the lead
Editorial leaders welcome you to the inaugural law student issue of Trends compiling 11 articles by students from law schools across the United States.
Trends May/June 2025
Volume 56, Issue 5
In This Issue
Derailed: Anticipating legal barriers to transit projects during the second Trump administration
The election of President Trump represents a sea change for transit projects, putting project construction and funding in jeopardy.
Pennsylvania’s nuclear golden age: A convergence of political interests
With President Trump’s abrupt undoing of many clean energy initiatives under the Biden administration, the future of clean energy may seem uncertain, but one unlikely solution appears in Central Penn…
The fossil fuel industries use of legislation limiting suits against public participation (anti-SLAPP) for its own purposes
Fossil fuel companies are turning more and more to anti-SLAPP laws hoping to dismiss climate actions and shield themselves from accountability.
Who has the power? Ohio Supreme Court weighs in on fight over solar energy siting
Two high-stakes cases before the Ohio Supreme Court will test the balance of state authority and local opposition in utility-scale solar approvals under recent legislation.
Diamond v. EPA: The fight against clean cars
This piece discusses Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC et al. v. EPA, a current Supreme Court case where fuel producers are challenging California's Advanced Clean Cars program.
Environmental organized crime: Liability of oil giants under the RICO Act
The RICO Act provides a plausible cause of action against the oil industry for deceptive marketing regarding climate change.
A green light legal analysis of Bucks County v. Exxon Mobil Corporation & Ors., and path forward for subnational climate change litigation in the United States
This article highlights familiar issues and likely outcomes for the Bucks County case based on prior litigation and reiterates a viable complement to tort action for subnational climate litigation.
Criminalizing tampering with automotive OBD diagnostics: EPA’s new strategy for tackling defeat devices in vehicles
Three federal district courts have sided with EPA and found that the plain language of the Clean Air Act allows for criminal penalties for tampering with a vehicle’s OBD system.
Regulatory fission: A growing movement for state control over nuclear regulation
As interest in nuclear energy solutions grows, so does conflict over whether state or general governments have authority to regulate key aspects of the nuclear power industry.
Youth engagement in international environmental policy making through the International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Pace Law School students and faculty have submitted a number of policy proposals to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to address urgent conservation concerns.
The future of retiring coal plants
Michigan’s Environmental Law & Policy Center has a plan to transform retired coal mines into renewable energy hubs. Could this provide a model for other regions to follow?
Impacts of San Francisco v. EPA on Clean Water Act citizen suit litigation
The Supreme Court’s decision in San Francisco v. EPA could restrict the scope of Clean Water Act citizen suits, making it more challenging to compel agency action enforcing the Act.
Section News
Views from the Chair
The Section chair shares their experience joining SEER and encourages young professionals to bring their perspective to the section.
Students on the Move
Hear from law student members about their upcoming moves and learn about opportunities for students offered by the Section.