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Muddying the Waters: Dredging Mobile Bay ...

Blog By: Erica Joan Radermacher

In this blog, 2L Staffer Erica Joan Radermacher argues that it is important to prioritize collaboration when considering environmental conservation efforts in Mobile Bay juxtaposed with efforts to spur trade and economic development. Radermacher analyzes arguments of both proponents and critics of dredging the channel of Mobile Bay and pushes for an attitude of partnership between environmental and economic actors.

Muddying the Waters: Dredging Mobile Bay Highlights Tensions Between Environmental and Economic Priorities
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The Sun is Setting on Kentucky’s Barrel Tax—But ...

Blog By: Ben Bertram

In this blog, 2L Staffer Ben Bertram reviews the Kentucky General Assembly's removal of the bourbon barrel tax, the only tax of its kind in the world. Bertram argues that the decision to phase out this tax eliminated an unnecessary economic barrier for an industry already facing an unreasonably high tax burden. The benefits, Bertram says, will be especially apparent to Kentucky farmers.

The Sun is Setting on Kentucky’s Barrel Tax—But Kentucky Farmers Will Still See the Daylight
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Oh SNAP! Another Farm Bill Extension Leaves ...

Blog By: Sarah Shepherd

With the threat of another farm bill expiration looming over D.C. and rural America, representatives are exploring ways to either expand or cut back on the omnibus legislation. In this blog, 2L Staffer Sarah Shepherd discusses the obstacles of passing a new farm bill, the consequences of cutting SNAP and conservation programs, and the desperate need for Congress to either pass a new, bipartisan farm bill or another extension.

Oh SNAP! Another Farm Bill Extension Leaves Families and Farmers Uncertain
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Way Down Yonder on the Chattahoochee: Nonprofit ...

Blog By: Camille Grout

In this Blog, 2L Staffer Camille Grout discuss pending federal litigation against the City of Atlanta for its alleged violation of the Clean Water Act. A vital waterway for thousands of residents in Florida and Georgia alike, the Chattahoochee River has allegedly been polluted by Atlanta’s largest wastewater plant. Grout argues that the City of Atlanta should enter into a new federal consent decree addressing the concerns and preserving the river’s health for generations to come. 

Way Down Yonder on the Chattahoochee: Nonprofit Sues the City of Atlanta for Violation of the Clean Water Act
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Green Amendments: Codifying the Environment One ...

Blog By: Thomas Fricker

In this blog, 2L staffer Thomas Fricker discusses the proposal of adding a "Green Amendment" to state constitutions in order to ensure that current and future generations have the constitutional right to a healthy environment. Green Amendments codify the inherent right to an environment that is protected from federal deregulation and industrial interests for current and future generations to enjoy and preserve.  Fricker analyzes both sides of the movement and argues that Green Amendments should be included in state constitutions. 

Green Amendments: Codifying the Environment One State at a Time

New Supreme Court Ruling Provides Hope for Coal Country

New Supreme Court Ruling Provides Hope for Coal Country

“Coal keeps the lights on.” You can find this phrase plastered on billboards, license plates, and bumper stickers throughout Kentucky and West Virginia. These states comprise “coal country,” a place where the words of this clever phrase run deep. Coal literally keeps the lights on in these two states, as more than 90% of electricity in both states comes from coal. Additionally, this resource helps to produce almost 40,000 jobs in the two states combined, providing many individuals and families with an income to actually “keep the lights on." The coal industry has been under attack in recent years, with the EPA proposing a rule in June of 2014 that was considered “one of the strongest actions ever taken by the U.S. government to fight climate change.” However, a recent Supreme Court decision blocking this stringent regulation may just keep the lights on a little longer for the coal industry.

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BP Oil Spill Settlement Is Largest in American History, but Is It Really as Great as It Seems?

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BP Oil Spill Settlement Is Largest in American History, but Is It Really as Great as It Seems?

On July 2, 2015, BP settled litigation from the now infamous 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill that killed 11 crewmembers and released 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, which ultimately resulted in the deaths of thousands of marine animals and the loss of billions in economic damages. The settlement, the largest environmental settlement in American history, if approved, is between BP, the federal government, and the state and local governments of the five greatly affected states.

Local Food Movement Builds in Kentucky

Local Food Movement Builds in Kentucky

The local food movement is growing stronger and is expanding exponentially across the United States.  Local Food sales topped $11.7 billion last year according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which has invested more than $800 million in more than 29,100 local and regional businesses and infrastructure projects. This investment is part of a federal initiative called “Local Foods, Local Places,” which invites communities to participate by providing direct technical support to build strong local food systems.[ii] Over 4,000 local and regional food businesses and projects – including food hubs, farm-to-school programs, and initiatives to expand health food access to low-income communities – can be pinpointed in every state across the country. Kentucky leads the nation in participation in this federally funded local food project.

Drug Free: The Possible Future of Horse Racing

Drug Free: The Possible Future of Horse Racing

This year’s Belmont Stakes was the stage for American Pharoah to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. However, it also brought tragedy when Helwan had to be euthanized after suffering a broken left front cannon bone.

While a drug did not cause Helwan’s broken bone, the fact that this horse was racing for the first time on a drug called LASIX (Furosemide) has rekindled a debate on the use of controlled substances and performance enhancing drugs in horse racing.

American Pharoah is the 12th Horse in History to win the Triple Crown

American Pharoah is the 12th Horse in History to win the Triple Crown

For the first time in 37 years, it has been done. American Pharoah, a three-year-old bay colt, is the first horse in 37 years, and the twelfth horse in history to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, also known as the Triple Crown.

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Urban Agriculture on the High Rise: How Vertical Farming will Influence the World’s Cities

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Urban Agriculture on the High Rise: How Vertical Farming will Influence the World’s Cities

Dr. Dickson Despommier, professor of public health at Columbia University, created the concept of “vertical farming” back in 1999. Dr. Despommier and his students discovered that with a city, like New York, instead of looking towards flat land for food growth, the city should start looking up. Dr. Despommier and his class on medical ecology estimate that 30-story vertical farm towers could feed 50,000 people.