Denver Law's Legal Externship Program: One Student's Experience at the Center for International Environmental Law

Denver Law's Legal Externship Program provides many opportunities for students to experience legal work in the private, social and government sectors.

According to Program Director Professor Ann Vessels, "When students participate in an externship that complements their legal studies, their education is greatly enhanced, they become even more excited about the practice of law, and they make terrific contacts for the future. A perfect example is the externship in which Kristi Disney participated at the Center for International Environmental Law in Washington , D.C."

Ms. Disney describes her experience below:

D.U. Sturm College of Law students who wish to gain experience in international environmental law and policy should look no further than the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). CIEL is a non-profit organization that works to “strengthen and use international law and institutions to protect the environment, promote human health, and ensure a just and sustainable society.” CIEL has offices in Washington, D.C., and Geneva, where CIEL externs and law fellows work on legal issues relating to climate change, regulation of chemicals, biodiversity, trade and sustainable development, international financial institutions (IFIs), human rights, and community-based natural resource management.

CIEL is a global leader in public interest international environmental law. CIEL’s unique ability to understand the concerns of grassroots communities around the world, and to effectively communicate those concerns to influential bodies such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, influenced my decision to attend law school, and set my sights on securing a CIEL legal externship.

My CIEL externship exceeded my expectations. As a full-time CIEL extern last fall, I was able to complete a variety of assignments under the supervision of some of the world’s leading international environmental lawyers. I prepared memos on various international laws and policies, including nanotechnology; IFIs, freedom of information; use of webcasting to improve access to justice in judicial proceedings; and procedures to improve international environmental governance.

My primary assignment at CIEL was to review the impacts of the World Bank “Eskom” project, a project which includes a large-scale coal-fired power plant, on South Africa and its ability to satisfy commitments under environmental and climate change treaties. This work involved reading volumes of environmental impact assessments, most of which the World Bank makes publicly accessible through its “Projects & Operations” website, and considering how the project adheres to the World Bank’s own Operating Policies (OPs) and Bank Policies (BPs). The assignment also allowed me to consider the health implications of the project on communities in the project area; impacts of the project on flora and fauna in the project area; and transboundary impacts of the project on both air and water quality.

This research contributed to a recent CIEL publication titled, “Fossilized Thinking: The World Bank, Eskom, and the Real Cost of Coal,” which examines the economics behind the World Bank’s $3 billion loan to support the Eskom Project, and considers the impact of the project on human health and the environment. The report finds that the Bank failed to adequately consider long-term costs and externalities of the Eskom project in its required cost-benefit analysis, failing to adequately account for project impacts on air, water, and public health.

The report also highlights the trend of increased World Bank funding for coal-fired energy production, at a time when the Bank holds itself out as being committed to low-carbon, climate friendly energy development. The report advocates for the World Bank to commit more of its resources to serious consideration of alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar.

The release of CIEL’s report comes at a time when the World Bank is revising its “Safeguard Policies” on energy and environment, as well as revising its Energy Strategy. The report also comes at a time when the World Bank Inspection Panel is reviewing the Eskom Project in response to complaints from individuals and community organizations in the project area. The World Bank Inspection Panel, developed in part due to CIEL’s efforts, reviews complaints from persons who have been adversely affected by Bank-funded projects. The Inspection Panel makes complaints and related reports available to the public through the World Bank website.

DU students wishing to learn more about CIEL and its internship and fellowship opportunities may contact Kristi Disney at kdisney11@law.du.edu or Sophia Plagakis at splagakis@ciel.org.

Editor's note: Ms. Disney is on the far left in the picture above.

Colorado Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) Ushers in the "New Energy Economy;" Matt Futch of GEO Speaks to DU Students About Ground Breaking Program

Recent ground breaking legislation positions Colorado as a national leader in energy policy reform.

Colorado House Bills 1365 and 1001 set aggressive goals for expanding renewable energy distribution and reducing greenhouse gases, while prioritizing economic growth linked to the energy sector.

Recently, Matt Futch, Utilities Program Manager at the Colorado Governor's Energy Office (GEO), delivered a webinar presentation to University of Denver Sturm College of Law students that focused on distributed energy in Colorado, as well as the recent energy legislation. Mr. Futch presented highlights of the recent legislation, including:

• Mandatory retirement of and pollution control systems on coal plants.
• Minimum of 30 percent of total electric sales from eligible renewable resources by 2020.
• Requirement that three percent of total energy must be obtained from distributed generation resources such as solar PV and small hydro systems.

In addition, Mr. Futch described the complexity behind Colorado’s electric power sector.

Mr. Futch’s presentation was arranged through the Law 4701 course, “Energy Policy and Economics,” which I teach. The webinar was open to all students and faculty, and those interested may access his presentation by clicking here.

Mr. Futch and the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office have played an active role with the College of Law. In addition to delivering periodic presentations and energy policy updates, the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office also hosts externships that are available through the College of Law Legal Externship Program.

DU is fortunate to host an engaging speaker like Mr. Futch, who is able to discuss these cutting edge energy issues. I highly recommend that those interested in energy policy take the time to review Mr. Futch’s presentation. The eyes of the nation are on Colorado to see how our new energy policy unfolds.

Ensuring stable energy prices is important to economic stability, since energy is used in virtually every production process. Innovative energy production also has the potential to jump start technological innovation and job growth. although these benefits may not be realized for quite some time.

Dr. Catherine Keske
Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Colorado State University
Adjunct Professor
Sturm College of Law

Editor's note: In photo above, Matt Futch is on far left; College of Law Professor K.K. DuVivier is second from left; students are on the far right.

DU Environmental and Natural Resources Externships: "Some of the Best Opportunities in the Nation," Professor Ann Vessels Says

Students studying environmental and natural resources issues at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law were advised recently to take advantage of the law school's many excellent externship opportunities. Students attending an Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) advising session heard Professors Fred Cheever, Rock Pring, and Ann Vessels, director of the College of Law Legal Externship Program, extol the benefits of undertaking one or more externships during law school.

Professor Vessels said, "We have some of the best environmental and natural resources externships in the country here at the Sturm College of Law. The Denver area specifically, and Colorado more generally, are excellent locations for the types of externships you are looking for." She noted that externship opportunities range from working for federal and state agencies, to non-profits and think-tanks, to private firms. Moreover, there is often a link between a student's externship experiences and their ability to get a job after graduation, Professor Vessels said.

Professor Pring noted that, "Externships are a great way to learn as well as meet key individuals. It also allows you to list the externships on your resume, which can be very impressive to prospective employers. I highly recommend [doing externships]."