This Article proposes a federal wind siting policy modeled on the cooperative federalism framework of the TCA’s Siting Policy. Part I describes some advantages of wind energy, focusing specifically on the environmental, economic, and social benefits. This Part also discusses several technical...

Licensing of hydroelectric projects by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Federal Power Act (FPA) materially affects stream flows on rivers throughout the nation. Often overlooked, FERC licensing will gain prominence in the next decade as hundreds of projects must be...

This article explains the numerous environmental protections contained in an unlikely statute, the Federal Power Act, first enacted in 1920. Federally licensed hydropower projects are often the largest influences on streamflows in watersheds, so making the projects environmentally compatible is...

The public views salmon hatcheries as a lifeline for the species, at least in the Columbia Basin, which experienced near-extinction due to damming of the Columbia River during the first half of the 20th century. Jim Lichotowich's new book, "Salmon, People, and Place: A Biologist's Search for...

Despite the long association of water and energy, recent times have witnessed a revival of interest in harnessing the potential of this association. This impetus can be attributed to new and emerging challenges such as increasing energy demands, finiteness of most of the conventional sources of...

Although a successor to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol has not materialised yet, the 2009 Copenhagen meeting underlined the importance of China in international debates on climate and energy. This is not only based on China’s current climate emissions, but also on its expected energy use and economic...

Democracy and ballot box voting have often been held up as central elements of the American political tradition. Less emphasis has been placed on the centrality of “voting with your feet.” Yet in many ways, it is an even more fundamental and distinctive feature of American politics than...

State preemption laws strictly limit local governments from regulating beyond their borders. Local governments, however, face a broad spectrum of challenges which cannot be confined to municipal borders. These challenges freely flow in and out of many local jurisdictions at the same time. The...

From produce to wine, we only consume things when they are ready. The courts are no different. That concept of "readiness" is how courts address cases and controversies as well. Justiciability doctrines, particularly ripeness, have a particularly important role in takings challenges to...

The paper considers territorial models of local self governance that had emerged in Russian regions prior to the reform and their impact on various aspects of municipal establishments' activities. The authors evaluate the regional law in the area of local self governance and interbudgetary...