Professor Jan Laitos Teaches "Natural Resources and Environmental Policy" at Central European University

Professor Jan Laitos, John A. Carver, Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, recently returned from Budapest, Hungary, where he taught natural resources and environmental policy at Central European University.

His class consisted of graduate students from the Ukraine, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Hungary, the Georgia Republic, Uzbekistan, Mexico and Lithuania.

He noted of this experience:

“It is interesting to see how, some 20 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, countries that were once under Soviet domination are well on their way to experiencing a world grounded in market-based capitalism and individual choices. Instead of relying on the State to take care of everyone, these countries, especially as represented by the students I taught, are learning about self-initiation and the reality of dealing with the consequences of free will.”

His class focused on the world’s differing responses to natural resources use and over-use.

Professor Laitos will be visiting the University of Amsterdam in June, to deliver a lecture on “The Legal-Economic History of Natural Resources Use and Non-Use” at the 3rd Annual Society of Environmental Law and Economics.

Tom Abell, Denver Law Masters of Resources Law Studies Graduate, Begins Work for Bill Barrett Corporation

Tom Abell, a 2010 Masters in Resource Law Studies graduate from the Denver Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Graduate Program, has been hired as a landman for Bill Barrett Corporation (BBC), a mid-sized exploration and production company.

In his new role, Tom will be responsible for the development of an acquisition property in Utah. "I will oversee everything from landowner relations and permitting to the successful execution of our drilling program," according to Tom.

Historically BBC has focused on natural gas production, but more recently they are acquiring lands that have the potential for oil production.

Colorado Supreme Court Hands Down Decision in Burlington Ditch Water Case, Which was Heard at Denver Law in January 2011

The Colorado Supreme Court has published its decision in the Burlington Ditch (also referred as the FRICO case) case, which it heard oral arguments about at Denver Law on January 20, 2011. The hearing drew nearly 500 students, faculty, and a who's who of the state's leading water lawyers.

The water involved in the case is located near Barr Lake, a large reservoir a short distance north of Denver International Airport.

In an opinion written by Justice Gregory Hobbs, the Supreme Court upheld a state water court's decree and said in part, "In order to prevent an unlawful enlargement of the Burlington and FRICO water rights, the Companies' 1885 Burlington direct flow water right is limited to the 200 cubic feet per second historically diverted and used for irrigation around Barr Lake."

The case was of particular interest since a number of Denver Law alums and adjunct professors were involved on various sides of the matter.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, said, "This opinion marks the final stage in a major matter of water law that we were privileged to have a 'front row seat to' thanks to the Supreme Court's willingness to hear the case at Denver Law. Following the progress of this appeal has been a much talked about subject since the oral argument in January. The Supreme Court's visit was definitely a highlight of the just concluded spring semester, and we hope to host the Court again in the future."

Denver Law Students Win Prestigious Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarship Awards

Three Denver Law students have won prestigious Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF) Scholarship Awards.

Raven Adams, who expects to earn her JD degree in 2012, Gregory Angstadt, who expects to earn his JD degree in 2012, and Alphonsus Ihuoma, who expects to earn his LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy in December 2011, were awarded scholarships by the RMMLF.

In making the announcement, Cecilia Dalupan, the Foundation's Associate Director, said, "Law students enrolled full-time at one of the Foundation’s governing law schools who can demonstrate a commitment to the study of natural resources law are eligible to apply. Academic and leadership ability, as well as financial need, are also considered. Applications are evaluated by the Foundation’s Scholarships Committee consisting of dedicated volunteer attorneys."

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Program at Denver Law, said, "There is no more prestigious scholarship that a student of natural resources law can earn than that awarded by the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. This is a scholarship that brings its award winners to the attention of the Foundation's many members from across the world who are held in the highest esteem by their colleagues.

"Denver Law is very appreciative of the support that the Foundation has provided Raven, Gregory, and Alphonsus, and the many DU award winners from previous years," Mr. Smith said.

Marcus Oscarsson, Recognized Authority on EU and U.S. Politics and Swedish Government Official, to Participate in "EU Environmental Law" Course

Marcus Oscarsson, a recognized Swedish observer of EU and U.S. politics, will moderate a discussion board about European Union environmental politics and related issues in this summer's Denver Law course offering "European Union Environmental Law & Policy."

He is a long-time contributor to Denver Law's European Union-related courses, having first been a guest lecturer in 2004 and every year since.

Mr. Oscarsson, who works for the Swedish Government, has a background in economics and journalism. He covers Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden for The Times and Sunday Times of London.

Mr. Oscarsson is also a respected authority about U.S. politics. In this regard he has spoken about U.S. presidential campaigns, U.S. elections, and Transatlantic relations at the Swedish Parliament, the Swedish Ministries for Foreign Affairs and Defense, the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.

Don C. Smith, the director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at Denver Law, teaches "European Union Law & Policy" and "EU Environmental Law & Policy." He has asked Mr. Oscarsson to be a part of all of his EU courses.

"Marcus has a unique perspective about the Transatlantic Relationship. On one hand, he is European and a citizen of the EU. But on the other hand, he is one of most perceptive individuals I have ever met -- in the EU or U.S. -- when it comes to evaluating the big issues that involve American politics. Consequently, he is perfectly positioned to talk about the Transatlantic relationship in a manner that combines an understanding of both political systems.

"Students who have been taught by Marcus rave about his insight as well as his ability to explain complicated issues in a more understandable fashion. I think this is due in large part to his experience closely following U.S. governmental issues for more than a decade," Mr. Smith said.

Denver Law is one of the handful of US law schools that offers a course in EU environmental law. This is a particularly important course since the EU is widely recognized as being the world leader in terms of climate change policy, chemicals regulation, and recycling and disposal of electronic wastes.

"EU Law & Policy" is taught completely on-line so that students can participate in the course from across the U.S. and the world.

Denver Law JD and LLM Graduate David Makongo Talks about Investment Policies in Mauritania

Investing now in the Mauritanian mining sector makes sense according to Denver Law alumnus David Makongo.

Late last year, Mr. Makongo, who is originally from Cameroon, told journalists covering a mining conference in the African nation of Mauritania that the policies of President Abdel Aziz were "very investment-friendly."

The full-text of a story about Mr. Makongo's views about mining in Mauritania and his home country can be found in The Recorder Newsline, an English language Cameroonian newspaper, by clicking here.

David Makongo is the Director for African Affairs with Electrum USA LTD - A Global Gold Group. He travels extensively in Africa in search of mining and oil and gas business arrangements.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program, said, "David Makongo is in the process of establishing himself as an expert in identifying and negotiating important natural resources agreements across the whole of the African continent. David is an individual who has succesfully combined legal knowledge with a keen eye for business opportunities."

Robin L. Newmark, Strategic Energy Analysis Center Director at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Speaks at DU Law about Water-Electricty Nexus

There are major water-related implications involved with making energy generation choices Robin L. Newmark, Director of the Strategic Energy Analysis Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently told Denver Law students.

She also noted that producing clean water and handling discharged water also takes electricity, thus making the link between water and electricity even more profound.

"Many new electricity technologies are water intensive, meaning that demands on water are increased even more," Dr. Newmark said. Among the new types of technologies she referred to are carbon capture and sequestration, which when combined with a coal or gas fired power plant may mean up to a 100 percent increase in the use of water over the status quo. She also noted that to reuse brackish water or desalinize sea water takes a considerable amount of energy.

Water is also used in large quantities in the extraction of shale gas, she noted, which is a technology that is only now being developed in the oil and gas sector. Moreover, nuclear power generation is very water intensive. The process of developing ethanol also involves very high amounts of water. As a result, "life cycle assessments" that consider the water and electricity impacts of various forms of energy will become more widespread, she said.

Also joining the Denver Law students were members of the University of Denver Renewable Energy Science Community and Enterprise (RESCUE), which is chaired by DU Law Professor K.K. DuVivier.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program, said that Dr. Newmark's remarks were timely and important. "As Dr. Newmark so clearly pointed out, water and electricity issues are intertwined and will be considered together as we move forward. Having a leader of the caliber of Dr. Newmark speak to us was a great experience, and indicates again the caliber of leaders who come to Denver Law and share their observations and experiences."

To see Dr. Newmark's Powerpoint presentation, please click here.