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It’s Getting Hot in Here, So Turn Off All Your ...

Blog By: Antonio C. Ellzey

In this blog, 3L Antonio C. Ellzey points out that California Governor Newsom recently vetoed a pending California state law that aimed to address the dangers of gas appliances. Specifically, the new law would have required manufacturers to place warning labels on gas stoves to inform consumers of their health effects. Some say the new law would help build awareness around a hidden danger while others say the new would restrict Californians’ freedom. Ellzey believes the pending law would positively impact Californians because they can make better-informed decisions around their health and safety, which would ultimately help save lives.

It’s Getting Hot in Here, So Turn Off All Your (Gas) Stoves
KJEANRL
Whiskey Business: Utilizing Certification Marks ...

Blog By: Stevi Whitman

In this blog, 3L staffer Stevi Whitman argues for the use of certification marks to promote authenticity within the whiskey industry by introducing the Estate Whiskey Alliance® (EWA). The EWA is a member led association spearheaded by UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky, the James B. Beam Institute, Marker’s Mark Distillery, and other founding members, tasked with ensuring quality standards of whiskey production, promoting the benefits of local sourcing, and advancing sustainability efforts throughout the whiskey industry through the use of certification marks.

Whiskey Business: Utilizing Certification Marks to Protect Intellectual Property and Promote Authenticity within the Whiskey Industry
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Whiskey Fungus: the Kentucky Courts' Ticking ...

Blog By: Phillip Burress

Kentucky is home to 100 distilleries in 42 counties and produces 95% of the world's bourbon. In this Blog, 3L Phillip Burress discusses the threat posed by "Whiskey Fungus" on Kentucky property owners and the legal challenges facing Kentucky distillers.

Whiskey Fungus: the Kentucky Courts' Ticking Timebomb
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Prop 12 – Should Congress Stay Silent?

Blog By: Ashton Edwards

In this Blog, 3L Staffer Ashton Edwards argues that instead of staying silent on the issue, Congress should respond to the interstate commerce concerns that reside in the Prop 12, a proposition that was made law by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023. Edwards discusses that so far, Congress has yet to address the arguments and concerns of Farmers, the Court, or citizens, even though this law arguably has a substantial impact on interstate commerce.

Prop 12 – Should Congress Stay Silent?
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Cut the Tax: What Rescheduling Marijuana Could ...

Blog By: Antonio C. Ellzey

In this Blog, 3L Staffer Antonio C. Ellzey discusses the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry, particularly the impact of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, which limits deductions for businesses engaged in the cannabis trade due to federal prohibition. Ellzey discusses the potential benefits of rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, which he argues would alleviate financial burdens on cannabis businesses, enhance safety, and stimulate economic growth.

Cut the Tax: What Rescheduling Marijuana Could Mean for Section 280E and Cannabis-Related Businesses

Natural Resource

Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Continues Construction After DC Circuit Decision

Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Continues Construction After DC Circuit Decision

Due to the catastrophic failures of all natural gas transportation methods, such as spillages and harmful chemicals escaping barrels, people are wary of new pipelines. Accordingly, there has been a recent, and large, controversy regarding the installation of the new pipeline, Atlantic Sunrise. Atlantic Sunrise runs through ten counties of Pennsylvania and will hopefully provide natural gas to southern states such as Alabama. The near $3 billion pipeline is threatened by activists who are protesting every step of construction, but the DC Circuit Court has refused to block the pipeline by dissolving an administrative stay on construction of the pipeline.

Questioning Secretary Perry’s Policy Proposals: Should this be standard practice after his recent “economics lesson”?

Questioning Secretary Perry’s Policy Proposals: Should this be standard practice after his recent “economics lesson”?

Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, recently released a proposal that would guarantee profits to coal fired power plants that maintain 90 days of fuel on site as protection against the electricity grid failing. Secretary Perry’s suggestion that coal reserves are necessary to protect the electricity grid from failing is unsubstantiated given a recent report by the Rhodium Group which found that over the past five years only .00007% of major power disruptions nation-wide were due to fuel supply problems.

 

Colorado Residents Plead: Stop Fracking with Our Homes

Colorado Residents Plead: Stop Fracking with Our Homes

In a world where it was previously thought that one owned all that was above and all that was below his land, it seems as if Colorado is taking a big step to ensuring that this is no longer true. An obscure Colorado law allows whole neighborhoods to be forced into leasing the minerals beneath their properties as long as one person in the area consents. This concept, known as forced pooling, is instrumental in developing oil and gas resources in Denver’s rapidly growing suburbs

 

Not-So-Dormant Commerce Clause Transmitting Trouble for Minnesota Agencies?

Not-So-Dormant Commerce Clause Transmitting Trouble for Minnesota Agencies?

In essence, the Minnesota statute offers a right of first refusal to incumbent electric transmission owners to construct and maintain federally approved transmission lines. LSP Transmission Holdings has sued, alleging that this statute is anti-competitive and a violation of the Commerce Clause. A few other states have similar laws in place, so the decision made on this case will likely set an important precedent.

Decentralization of the Power Grid

Decentralization of the Power Grid

Retail electricity sales have remained stagnant since 2007, despite a 4% increase in the customer base. To effectively combat the coming issues, the utilities will have to work with regulators
and small-scale renewable energy providers to develop equitable solutions that incorporate all
relevant interests. 

A Section 201 Solar Flare Up

A Section 201 Solar Flare Up

Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 functions as a strong trade remedy and authorizes
the President to implement trade barriers to protect domestic industries that have been injured or
threatened by an import. Earlier this Sspring, solar cell manufacturer Suniva, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, attributing its financial struggles to increased imports. President Trump’s 2017 trade policy agenda, along with his support for American manufacturing and his want for tariffs, make it
likely some remedy will be imposed on foreign made solar cells and panels.

Community Solar Gardens: The Future of Energy Assistance Programs?

Community Solar Gardens: The Future of Energy Assistance Programs?

While the success of the integration of community solar gardens with energy assistance programs is still yet to be determined, the odds favor solar energy being a more nationally widespread energy option for low-income households in the future.  

The Fallacy of Fossil Fuels: Why the United States Needs to Focus on Developing Renewable Energy Sources

The Fallacy of Fossil Fuels: Why the United States Needs to Focus on Developing Renewable Energy Sources

The use of bio fuels is one way to curb the perilous effects of global warming.  Ultimately, the United States, and countries throughout the world, should move away from the burning fossil fuels and instead manufacture vehicles and equipment that can run safely on biofuels, as well as, explore other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar.