Environmental Law Clinic Reaches Settlement with Xcel Energy

Mike Harris,
Director of the Environmental Law Clinic

DU College of Law's Environmental Law Clinic announced a settlement last week with Xcel Energy. Mike Harris and students have worked with WildEarth Guardians on a citizen suit enforcement action under the Clean Air Act over the past four years.

This translates into a tremendous experience for four generations of clinic students. Students assisted in shepherding the case from initial filing through discovery, briefing, oral arguments and trial preparation. The case was settled two weeks away from the trial date.

The settlement will result in benefits for the most impacted communities. Xcel Energy will provide $447,000 to Groundwork Denver, a third-party nonprofit organization which will initiate a sustained improvement of the physical environment through community-based partnerships and action.

Jeremy Nichols, of WildEarth Guardians said, “This is a victory for clean air, for the community, and for Colorado’s clean energy future, as we power past coal, it’s critical that we lay the groundwork for solar and energy efficiency to take root. That’s exactly what this settlement does.”

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant