599 Public Utility Law (Leach)

LAW599

Public Utility Law

(Leach) 

Prerequisite courses: 

Prerequisite for: 

Instructor(s): Professor Andrew Leach

Course credit: 3

Method of presentation: Lectures including frequent guest speakers

METHOD OF EVALUATION 

4 page decision brief (individuals or groups of 2-3) (20%)

4 page emerging issue brief (individuals or groups of 2-3) (20%)

In-class, open-book quiz (end of term) (20%)

Final paper (3000-5000 words) (40%)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is meant to introduce students to the regulation of local energy utilities (broadly speaking: electricity and consumable gas) and transmission pipelines (oil and gas). Students will learn the basics of the industry segments, the regulatory process and will be expected to be able to navigate through the basic regulatory application process. The second half of the course will focus on current challenges facing utilities, regulators, and customers. For example, these may include the constitutional law of pipelines and/or electricity transmission, judicial review of utility regulator decisions, climate change policy and stranded utility assets, and the challenges and opportunities presented for utilities and regulators by the proliferation of solar generation and electric vehicles. Specific topics will vary based on student interest and current events.

SPECIAL COMMENTS 

Description updated 2023-24. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY):

None. All resources provided online.