CHICAGO, March 27, 2024 — A fireside chat with ABA President Mary Smith and Canadian Bar Association President John Stefaniuk at 8:15 a.m. (CDT) on April 5 is a highlight of the 53rd Spring Conference on Environmental Law April 3-5 in Chicago.
During the discussion moderated by Jeff Dennis, chair of the ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources, presidents Smith and Stefaniuk will share their experiences representing the U.S. and Canadian legal professions on key global issues like climate change, sustainable development, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Another highlight is a keynote speech by John J. Kim, director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, at 8:15 a.m. on April 4. Plenary sessions each day will focus on forthcoming Supreme Court decisions that could reshape environmental law and the evolution of EPA’s enforcement tools.
What:
53rd Spring Conference on Environmental Law
Sponsored by the ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources
When:
Wednesday-Friday, April 3-5
Where:
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago
221 North Columbus Drive
Chicago, Illinois
Program highlights include (all times are CDT):
“The Future of Remedying the Past: PFAS and ‘Emerging’ Superfund Implications” – Successfully addressing environmental contamination means building resilient and equitable remedies. This can be especially difficult when our collective understanding of the contamination at issue continues to evolve. Panelists will assess state regulatory standards and state agency responses to federal priorities and signaling.
Thursday, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
“Take Cover! National Security is Crashing the Energy Party” – The United States is pursuing a fundamental transformation of energy generation and distribution systems to meet clean energy goals. But this transformation must reckon with national security concerns, which can take multiple forms. Panelists will discuss federal and state actions to confront national security challenges, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $27 billion allocation to make the electrical grid more resilient to extreme weather and cyberattacks and state legislation prioritizing energy independence (such as Nevada AB 524 and California SB 619).
Friday, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
A brochure listing all programs, panelists and speakers can be found online. For media credentialing and registration, please contact Jennifer Kildee at [email protected].
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