Going through all the important changes likely to come from the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025, which intends to address harmful algal blooms, 2L staffer Nathan McCoy appraises whether it is effective in its goals. McCoy eventually concludes a finding that the amendment does indeed address the challenges of harmful algal blooms to the extent it could be considered to have fulfilled its purpose.
In this blog, 3L Staffer Chasity Peters argues that the EPA’s proposal to eliminate greenhouse gas reporting requirements under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program will cost the American people far more than the agency suggests will be saved by ending the requirement due to the increasing costs of climate change.
In this blog, 3L staffer Lydia Deaton discusses the need for additional IP protections within the bourbon industry and the potential use of trade secrets to help protect Kentucky's bourbon distillers. This blog argues that trade secret law offers a practical avenue of protection for bourbon manufacturers, safeguarding mash bills, aging techniques, and blending practices so long as reasonable confidentiality measures are maintained.
Recently, the Federal Trade Commission stepped into a Texas-led antitrust litigation against some of the country’s largest institutional investors—BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street—by filing a statement of interest with the court. In this blog, 3L Jessica Kurtz unpacks the claims levied by the states against the backdrop of the sustainable investment strategies invoked by the companies. Kurtz discusses how asset managers can satisfy their fiduciary duty to insulate their clients from climate risk without running afoul of antitrust laws, particularly cautioning companies managing significant shares in energy companies from agreeing to reduce emissions.
In this blog, 3L staffer Hyeongchan Kim examines the current recycling challenges in the United States by comparing recycling policies across several countries, including Germany, Austria, South Korea, and the United States. He highlights that although each country has its own legal system and procedures, the adoption of standardized recycling laws in US is recommended, drawing on examples from countries with higher recycling rates.
Blog By: Abby Noser
The Inflation Reduction Act includes a tax credit for nuclear power production. In this blog, 3L staffer Abby Noser explains the tax credits for nuclear energy under the IRA and argues that Kentucky should adopt Senate Resolution 171 so that the state can take advantage of the current IRA tax credits.
Blog By: Garrison Rosser
Despite political polarization, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments are on the rise. In this blog, Notes Editor Garrison Rosser explains that lawyers should embrace ESG practices to better advise their clients while also leaving the environment in a better condition.
Blog By: Julia Ray
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulates pesticide distribution, sale, and use. In this blog, 2L staffer Julia Ray explains that current structure of FIFRA allows unsafe pesticides to be produced in the US. Further, Ray argues that FIFRA should be amended to remove the registration exception for exported pesticides to promote public health and minimize the environmental impact of pesticides.
Blog By: Julia Giordano
In 2017, five animal activists removed two sick piglets from a pork manufacturing facility and a jury found the defendants not guilty on all charges. In this blog, 2L staffer Julia Giordano analyzes this case and explains how its implications could transcend to other animal welfare cases.
Blog By: Dylan Keefe
In August 2022, Congress passed the most significant climate legislation in American history: the Inflation Reduction Act. With historic funding secured, the country should be well on its way toward clean energy production, right? Well, not quite. Another obstacle remains: federal permitting requirements.
Blog By: Mary Jocelyn
In a statement accompanying the denial of certiorari for the most recent Antiquities Act case, Chief Justice Roberts discussed two critical components of the act yet to be determined by Congress or the courts - what is the smallest area compatible for the monument and how it should be operationalized. In this blog, 2L staffer Mary Jocelyn argues that the proclamation of Bears Ears as a national monument under the Antiquities Act is a paradox because it actually impairs the necessary resources required for management.
Blog By: Jordan Kamp
Following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, the state of Oklahoma has experienced a shift in its jurisdiction over surface coal mining. In this blog, 2L staffer Jordan Kamp argues that Oklahoma and its Tribes should draft intergovernmental agreements pertaining to surface coal mining that would enable the State to maintain some form of regulatory control.
