Streaming live and directly to you; registration is open!
For a second year in a row, the Environmental Law Forum is a zero-waste virtual event. We wish we could meet in person, but as that is not yet possible, we’re doing the next best thing--delivering exceptional environmental law content directly to your home, office or wherever you are, on the go. Log on and click “launch.” It’s that easy.
Revitalize & energize your practice—reap the benefits all year long
- Topics geared specifically to your practice - for attorneys in private practice and public service, engineers, consultants, professors, and scientists.
- Concepts that will challenge you - updates, changing laws, developing legislation and new technologies
- Speakers who will engage you - authorities in this field, names you recognize, people you know and respect
Wednesday’s Agenda
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
Welcome from PBA President David E. Schwager & PBA Environmental & Energy Law Section Outgoing Chair, William J. Cluck
9:10 AM - 10:40 AM
Major New Federal and State Legal Issues in a Biden Administration
Mr. Manko will be moderating a panel consisting of EPA Region 3 Regional Counsel Cecil Rodrigues and DADEP Acting Chief Counsel Diane Stares to explore what to expect from the Biden environmental administration and its impact/coordination with the state’s programs.
10:40 AM - 10:55 AM
Break
10:55 AM - 11:55 AM
NGO Litigation: Current Trends and Emerging Issues
This session will cover the intersection of regional and national trends in public interest litigation against the backdrop of a new administration and Congress.
11:55 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch Break
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Practical Considerations for Addressing PFAS at Sites in Pennsylvania
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remain the most widely discussed emerging contaminant due to increased regulatory action and pending litigation. Join this panel to discuss case studies and learn more about Pennsylvania’s path forward; evolving legal theories raised in litigation; considerations for site closures; and technical considerations and practical approaches for PFAS at sites.
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Major Federal & State Environmental Decisions
Law professors Amy Sinden and James May will discuss and analyze some of the most important environmental law decisions to come down from the federal courts in the past year.
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Break
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Environmental Justice (Ethics)
Join an engaging discussion on initiatives within federal and state agencies to integrate environmental justice into all policies, programs, and activities.
Thursday’s Agenda
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
Welcome from PBA Environmental & Energy Law Section Incoming Chair, Andrew T. Bockis
9:10 AM - 10:10 AM
New Administration. New Stuff. Planners’ Roundtable
As the Biden Administration states its new priorities, the Planners will reflect on what three sets of those priorities mean for practice in Pennsylvania: climate change mitigation, infrastructure and resiliency, and rollbacks of the Trump Administration’s policies and regulations.
10:10 AM - 10:25 AM
Break
10:25 AM - 11:25 AM
RGGI & PA: Pennsylvania’s Participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
RGGI is a cooperative regional market-based cap-and-trade program designed to reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants. This panel will cover how RGGI functions, provide an update on the regulatory process, and discuss comments provided during the public comment period.
11:25 AM - 11:40 AM
Break
11:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Presenting Complex Expert Testimony: From Selection to Trial
Success in environmental cases often depends on how best to present complex expert testimony. Using real world examples from two environmental litigators, this session will highlight best practices in presenting complex expert testimony from selection of the expert to preparation of the expert report and for expert witness depositions to expert testimony at trial.
12:40 PM - 1:15 PM
Lunch Break
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Oil & Gas Update
Join this discussion of recent developments and ongoing matters affecting oil and gas development in Pennsylvania, including challenges to DRBC’s fracking ban, key zoning cases, the litigation of Chapter 78a, recent enforcement, DEP Priorities.
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Break
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Significant Developments in Water: State of Play for Federal and State Rules
This session will provide an overview of selected rulemaking actions at the state and federal level in the past year related to drinking water, water quality, the NPDES program and the federal Clean Water Act.
3:30 PM- 3:45 PM
Break
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Professionalism & Civility in Practice
Professionalism and civility are important in the legal profession. This session will discuss professionalism and civility in the courtroom and everyday practice and how to meet our responsibilities to these principles in the challenging legal environment we all find ourselves in now.
All attendees will receive the course book as a digital download. A printed copy of the course book is available, at a discount to attendees, for $80. If you wish to purchase the printed version of the course book, please call PBI Customer Service at 800-932-4637. Printed versions of the course book will not be distributed at the course; please allow up to two weeks after the program for the printed versions of the course book to be shipped.
Program Sponsor: PBA Environmental and Energy Law Section. Members are encouraged to visit your PBA Section Member Dashboard for cost-saving coupons that can be applied to reduce the tuition fee.
ProPass - Online does not apply to institute programs delivered by webcast.
Public Interest Attorneys are eligible for our standard Public Interest Discount of 50%. Please visit our website for more information: Discounts, Scholarships & In-Home Study.
Special thanks to our exceptional planning team
Alexandra C. Chiaruttini, Esq., The York Water Company, York
Kevin J. Garber, Esq., Babst Calland, Pittsburgh
Bruce M. Herschlag, Senior Supervisory Counsel, PA DEP, Pittsburgh
David G. Mandelbaum, Esq., Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Philadelphia
Carol F. McCabe, Esq., Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP, Bala Cynwyd
Nels J. Taber, Esq., Regional Counsel, PA DEP, Harrisburg