Streams, Smokestacks, and Solar: What You Need to Know About EPA's Proposed Clean Water Act and Carbon Regulations

Please join the Environmental Team of Bradley for a seminar focused on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan and the proposed expansion of federal authority over real estate development under the Clean Water Act.

EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed state-specific carbon dioxide emission-rate goals from the power sector, as well as guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to achieve thoase goals. If this rule is finalized, states will have broad discretion to look across the entire power system, including increased renewable energy generation and reliance on natural gas, improved energy efficiency and upgrades to electrical grid infrastructure. This presentation will cover:

• A preview of Tennessee’s comments on EPA's proposed carbon regulations
• Legal underpinnings of the proposed rule
• What the rule does and does not cover
• Possible impact on economic development
• Opportunities for renewable energy development

Clean Water Act Definition of "Waters of the U.S."
In April, 2014, EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers (the “Corps”) jointly released a proposed rule on the scope of the federal government’s jurisdiction over streams and wetlands under the Clean Water Act, which has been alternatively described as a clarification of confusing Supreme Court precedent or a dramatic expansion of federal authority over development. This presentation will cover:

• Background on Supreme Court precedent on the definition of “Waters of the U.S.”
• What the proposed rule actually means
• How the Corps is defining Waters of the U.S. in Tennessee today
• How this rule could impact businesses and economic development efforts in Tennessee

This course is pending approval by the Tennessee Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for 3.5 hours of credit.

Other Speakers: