2023 Environmental Law CLE Series
June-October 2023
Learn and engage with key issues facing Minnesota's climate and environment.
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) is excited to bring back our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) series — The Green Beagle — for 2023. The free series will consist of two online sessions and culminate in an in-person half-day session in the fall.
MCEA's free Continuing Education Series (CLE) series is geared towards lawyers but anyone seeking a deeper dive is welcome.
50th anniversary of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA)
Oct. 24th, half day (in-person) 1:00-4:30pm
Mitchell Hamline School of Law Auditorium (Room 245)
For lawyers: 2 standard CLE credits and 1 Elimination-of-bias CLE credit will be applied for
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of one of our state's bedrock environmental laws: the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). Join us in-person for a half day symposium on how this law shaped a half decade of environmental protection in Minnesota, and what's ahead. The symposium will include three panels with MCEA experts, and conclude with a social hour.
Click here to view the presentation slides
Panel #1 - MEPA 101 and leading cases that have shaped one of Minnesota's most important environmental laws
This panel will provide a broad overview of MEPA, including the state of the environment leading up to its passage 50 years ago and how the statute ensures that Minnesota considers the environmental impact of projects in our state. Join us for a 101 on environmental review, and how case law has shaped MEPA over the last 50 years. Come away with an understanding of key considerations before you challenge an environmental review decision in court.
Panelists:
Jay Eidsness, MCEA Staff Attorney
Heidi Guenther, MCEA Legal Fellow
Leigh Currie, MCEA Director of Strategic Litigation
Panel #2 - Environmental Justice and the role of MEPA
Environmental justice is the effort to address and repair environmental racism though “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, concerning the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” (EPA)
This panel will provide an overview of environmental justice and how environmental justice analyses have been incorporated in environmental reviews under MEPA. The panel will also review developments in both state law regarding MEPA, Tribal rights, and federal NEPA law regarding environmental justice.
Panelists:
Evan Mulholland, MCEA Healthy Communities Program Director
Eric Ini, MCEA Chief Equity and Partnership Officer
Melissa Lorentz, MCEA Staff Attorney
Panel #3 - The Future of MEPA
This panel will look ahead at what’s next for MEPA. With calls for changes to environmental review on both sides—from industry and environmental advocates—we are at a critical moment for how this bedrock law fits into the next 50 years of protecting Minnesota's environment.
Panelists:
Joy Anderson, MCEA Senior Staff Attorney
Kathryn Hoffman, MCEA Chief Executive Officer
Details for attendees:
The event will take place in the Mitchell Hamline School of Law Auditorium (Room 245) located at 875 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN, 55105. The first panel begins at 1:00pm, and we recommend arriving ten minutes early. When you arrive, please enter through the main entrance, located on the southeast corner of the building.
For parking: Visitors should enter the main lot from Victoria St. to the east. General visitor parking will be in the row nearest Summit Ave. Alternatively, street parking is available along Summit Ave.
If you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact the Mitchell Hamline front desk at: (651) 227-9171
New laws in clean energy: What it means for how Minnesota powers the future
Aug 22nd, 12:00pm (WEBINAR)
Approved for one standard CLE credit
Coming off a historic Minnesota Legislative session, new laws will bolster our state's efforts to build a clean energy future. Join us to learn what these new state laws will require, in addition to how new rules proposed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will impact Minnesota's energy future.
Click here to watch the recording
Panelists:
Barb Freese, Staff Attorney, MCEA
Amelia Vohs, Regulatory Attorney, MCEA
There's something in the water: Legal tools to protect drinking water from nitrate pollution
June 27th, 12:00pm (webinar)
The recording of this session has been approved for one standard CLE credit. On-demand video replay CLE code: 488230
Nitrate pollution in groundwater is a growing problem in agricultural areas of our country, including Minnesota. Hear from state and national experts about the problem and attempts to urge federal regulators to address it using emergency authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act and other tools.
Click here to Watch the Recording
Panelists:
Leigh Currie, Director of Strategic Litigation, MCEA
Carly Griffith, Water Program Director, MCEA
Tyler Lobdell, Staff Attorney with Food & Water Watch