LAW 0695: Renewable Energy Law, Regulation and Policy
Spring 2024 • Section 21 • CRN 47592

Course Description

This course will explore issues relating to renewable energy in the electricity and transportation sectors, the two sectors of the domestic economy that make the greatest contributions to domestic greenhouse gas emissions. The course will cover solar and wind generation technologies and the issues involved in developing, siting, and integrating them into the U.S. electricity grid. The course will review the major renewable energy laws and regulations designed to promote renewable generation resources, including federal tax subsidies, state renewable portfolio standards, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 and net metering. The class will consider the intermittent character of wind and solar resources, and the policy and legal aspects of possible ways to overcome this phenomenon, including an examination of electricity storage and smartgrid applications. In light of the locational constraints of wind resources, key regulatory issues affecting transmission access will be addressed, as will rooftop solar, in consideration of its potential role as a distribution-level resource. Turning to the transportation sector, the course will examine recent developments as to corporate average fuel efficiency and tailpipe emission standards and the California waiver. The course will also consider vehicle electrification (widespread market integration of electric vehicles) as a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  This is a NO-EX format with short writing assignments.

Book List/Materials