Billionaires, Birds, and Environmental Brawls: Reconceptualizing Energy Easements

6 Washington and Lee School of Law Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment 3 (2015)

63 Pages Posted: 3 May 2014 Last revised: 22 Mar 2015

See all articles by Nadia B. Ahmad

Nadia B. Ahmad

Barry University - Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law; Yale School of the Environment

Date Written: May 1, 2014

Abstract

In the substantial power outages associated with Hurricane Sandy and 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes and Colorado floods, which left millions without power, the United States witnessed the insufficiency of its existing energy infrastructure. The lack of access to reliable energy widens the cleavage between the rich and poor, particularly in times of disaster and crisis. Policymakers and government regulators involved with long distance energy transmission projects have not adequately instituted laws and policies for existing and future energy access. This Article holds that current regulations, practices, and norms for long distance energy transmission may be doomed because of complications with right-of-way and transmission line easements unless the energy easement itself is reconceptualized. I explore how improving laws for transmission line and right-of-way easements can lead to greater eco-efficiency and access to energy. I also look at government and corporate best practices that can be utilized to facilitate energy for the greater good. This Article surveys competing community attitudes and national and regional laws and looks at ways to manage community expectations for the creation of sustainable, reliable and universal energy access. I examine sustainable energy regulations, policies, and community expectations for projects such as solar transmission lines in Colorado, Wyoming’s 1,000-turbine Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project, and energy projects in Tennessee, Texas, and Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Energy, Easements, Land Use, Property, Sustainable Development

Suggested Citation

Ahmad, Nadia, Billionaires, Birds, and Environmental Brawls: Reconceptualizing Energy Easements (May 1, 2014). 6 Washington and Lee School of Law Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment 3 (2015), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2431918 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2431918

Nadia Ahmad (Contact Author)

Barry University - Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law ( email )

6441 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32807
United States
(407) 206-5731 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.barry.edu/law/future-students/faculty/staff/nahmad.html

Yale School of the Environment ( email )

195 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States

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