According to this NY Times article, China is dominating the production of green technologies like wind turbines and solar panels for a number of reasons: cheap labor, much needed government support, and violation of WTO and IMF rules. The question is whether we should care that the Chinese method in unfair to foreign countries if it is resulting in more affordable green technologies. Certainly, I have concerns about working conditions and social justice (and the loss of American jobs), but the Chinese government is much more willing to (and can more easily) invest in green projects in the solar and wind industry and high-speed rail. Is the problem really Chinese violation of international agreements, or the unwillingness of the U.S. government/Congress/business to promote and require green technologies and forward-thinking infrastructure?
September 8, 2010
China Leads in Clean Energy Development – Why?
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under China, Climate Change, EnvironmentLeave a Comment
September 8, 2010
Recount Begins for VT Governor Democratic Primary
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under PoliticsLeave a Comment
But there is a shortage of volunteers. 538 (now owned by the NY Times) has finally posted forecasts for the VT Governors race, and currently forecasts a close win by GOP Candidate Dubie over likely Democratic nominee Shumlin. See here.
September 7, 2010
Law Schools Hiring Faculty in Environmental Law
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under AnnouncementsLeave a Comment
American University Washington College of Law is looking for a tenure-track or tenured lateral environmental law professor. The preferred candidate would teach US Environmental Law with a scholarly focus on federal environmental law and regulation. Other curricular needs that would be a plus are administrative law, property law or energy law.
George Washington University Law School – possible environmental law search, but not yet decided.
Georgia State seeks candidates who specialize in environmental law. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to scholarly research and an interest in working with our faculty in the Center for Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth (http://law.gsu.edu/metrogrowth/) Details of the search may be found at http://law.gsu.edu/agora/index/recruitment/environmental_law . Interested persons should submit their resume and cover letter to LawRecruitment@gsu.edu
LSU is looking for an environmental/energy person.
Notre Dame – searching for an environmental law person, flexible about details.
Pace is looking to hire in the environmental law area; generally for entry-level or some experience short of tenured. Not excluding tenured laterals, but that is not the focus of the search.
Syracuse Law School is looking for an environmental person. Syracuse shares a campus with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and has a close relationship with it and with the Maxwell School of Citizenship. The new hire has the option to teach a course on regulation for the joint degree students simultaneously pursuing a J.D. and a Masters of Public Administration.
University of Colorado: Looking for an environmental person, priorities are CAA/CWA expertise, regulation and enforcement. Not looking particularly for natural resources, energy, or climate expertise, since those are well covered.
University of Oregon is looking for an energy person who will focus on the regulatory/public policy aspects of energy.
University of Utah is looking for someone in natural resources.
Vermont Law School is hiring in International Environmental Law, and is looking for a Director of our U.S.-China Partnership in Environmental Law. See here and here.
Hat tip: Legal Planet’s Dan Farber
UPDATE: The University of Denver Sturm College of Law is interested in hearing from entry-level and lateral candidates with a focus on natural resources law and water law, as well as candidates with a focus on international environmental law.
UPDATE 2: Legal planet has finalized and updated the list here.
September 7, 2010
The Wisconsin Governor’s Race will start a free-for-all in local Milwaukee politics. See here.
September 6, 2010
Clerks Highlight Supreme Court’s Polarization
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under Supreme CourtLeave a Comment
September 6, 2010
Marquette University’s New Law School
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under Announcements, Law SchoolsLeave a Comment
My former institution Marquette University, where I spent four years teaching, has opened it’s new law school building. See article and photos here.
September 5, 2010
Overwhelmed and Underwhelmed in Small Town America, Except When I’m Not
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under LifeLeave a Comment
At times being home in my small town in Vermont is a bit overwhelming. Unlike China, I can’t hide behind my ignorance of the native language or disappear in a huge urban metropolis. I see friends and people I know constantly, and find myself at work and social events with the same people…wondering ‘are they sick of seeing me’? And the demands on my time in every facet of my life are far greater.
But it’s also underwhelming to sometimes be home. I’m reading Peter Hessler’s Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China’s Past and Present. In Chapter One, he discusses how because of his dumpy apartment and the energy on the streets of China, he had to leave his apartment. I sometime long for that urban energy…Guangzhou, Bangkok, Hong Kong, New York.
So I’m either overwhelmed by the genuine community of small town New England, or underwhelmed by the lack of adventure and amenities of big city life…that is except when I’m not (which is most of the time). The last 24 hours have been perfect. Impromptu dinner party with all our neighbors, board games with partner, a little football on TV, some light reading, cool evening perfect for sleeping, waking up to breezy and sunny beautiful early fall day, yard work, lunch with family, and tonight out to nice dinner.
September 5, 2010
Toxic Substances Control Act: EPA will not regulate lead shot, but may ban lead fishing tackle
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under Environment, Law, Outdoor Recreation, SportsLeave a Comment
Various environmental groups filed a Petition requesting that the EPA ban lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). On August 27th, in this Letter, EPA denied the portion of the Petition related to lead shot because the EPA argues it lacks authority to regulate lead shot and bullets due to the exemption in TSCA sec. 3(2)(b)(v), which exempts “any article the sale of which is subject to the tax imposed by section 4181 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.” That section of the tax code refers to pistols, revolvers, firearms, shells and cartridges. Other items are also exempt from TSCA when they are the subject of other federal statutory jurisdiction like the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. However, the EPA may still regulate fishing tackle and are taking comment on this issue. See here and here.
September 3, 2010
To My Friends in Law Practice or Experiential/Clinical Programs –> Job Opening: Vermont Law School Associate Dean for Clinical and Experiential Programs
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under Announcements, Vermont Law SchoolLeave a Comment
VERMONT LAW SCHOOL is seeking applicants for the position of Associate Dean to coordinate our Clinical, Experiential and Simulation programs. This is a tenured or tenure-track position. A description of these programs can be found at our website at http://www.vermontlaw.edu/Academics/Clinics_and_Experiential_Programs.htm
The Associate Dean will be part of the central academic administration along with the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean for Environmental Programs.
Those eligible for consideration must have the following characteristics: significant experience in law school clinical or experiential education; significant published scholarship on clinical or experiential education; demonstrated leadership and management experience; and excellent interpersonal skills.
Vermont Law School embraces diversity in its recruitment and hiring efforts. Accordingly, candidates of color, women and those from other under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Faculty at Vermont Law School take seriously our mission to educate lawyers for the community and the world and believe that our scholarship, teaching, and service should be meaningful and relevant to the local, national, and international communities. VLS is unique among law schools. We are on the cutting edge of environmental and international law and social policy. We embody the spirit of Vermont — independence and diversity in people and in politics. We have the good fortune to be located in a state and region that offer numerous opportunities for engaged participation in civic life as well as a life style found at few, if any, other law schools.
Applicants should provide a cover letter and resume. Electronic applications are preferred and should be e-mailed to: facultysearch@vermontlaw.edu. Hard copy applications should be sent to: Coordinator, Faculty Appointments Committee, Vermont Law School, P.O. Box 96, South Royalton, VT 05068.
September 3, 2010
To My Friends in Law Practice –> Job Opening: Vermont Law School Director of Externship Programs
Posted by Jason J. Czarnezki under Announcements, Vermont Law SchoolLeave a Comment
VERMONT LAW SCHOOL seeks to fill the position of Director of Externship Programs. The Director will be a member of the faculty and report directly to the Associate Dean for Clinical and Experiential Programs. The Director will have the assistance of and supervise one full-time faculty member and one full-time administrative assistant. This is a contract faculty position, but highly qualified candidates may be considered for a tenure track appointment.
Key responsibilities of this position include overseeing and facilitating assignment to offsite locations, selection, supervision and training of off-site mentors, teaching of, or supervising the teaching of, the classroom component of off-site placements, and advising and orienting students. The Director will work with the Associate Dean for Clinical and Experiential Programs to promote coordination between the externship programs and other experiential programs and between externship programs and the Office of Career Services.
Externship programs at VLS include a full-time Semester in Practice involving placements in the United States and abroad, a full-time and part-time Judicial Externship Program, and a part-time externship program involving placements near the VLS campus. A description of these programs can be found at our website at http://www.vermontlaw.edu/Academics/Clinics_and_Experiential_Programs.htm
Candidates must have a JD degree and must possess excellent organization and interpersonal skills. Experience in administration and/or management preferred along with either broad experience in different areas of legal practice or a record of education development as well as a demonstrated ability to innovate and lead.
Vermont Law School embraces diversity in its recruitment and hiring efforts. Accordingly, candidates of color, women and those from other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Faculty at Vermont Law School take seriously our mission to educate lawyers for the community and the world and believe that our scholarship, teaching, and service should be meaningful and relevant to the local, national, and international communities. VLS is unique among law schools. We are on the cutting edge of environmental and international law and social policy. We embody the spirit of Vermont — independence and diversity in people and in politics. We have the good fortune to be located in a state and region that offer numerous opportunities for engaged participation in civic life as well as a life style found at few, if any, other law schools.
Applicants should provide a cover letter and resume. Electronic applications are preferred and should be e-mailed to: facultysearch@vermontlaw.edu. Hard copy applications should be sent to: Coordinator, Faculty Appointments Committee, Vermont Law School, P.O. Box 96, South Royalton, VT 05068.
JASON J. CZARNEZKI 