Energy Production and the Environment

Catalog description

Credits: 3 Typically Offered: FALLSPR This course is an introduction to environmental issues in the energy industry, with special emphasis on electricity generation. The course provides a comprehensive coverage of the main requirements of federal laws and regulations pertaining to hazardous waste, pollution prevention, and occupational health and safety, such as Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund), Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), etc. In addition, we examine the impact of environmental laws on the energy industry the relationship between government administration of laws and on the ground environmental compliance. We also explore the differences between laws, policies and regulations. We discuss multiple enforcement tools used by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), including compliance and prohibition orders, and violation reporting. Although the focus of the class will be on environmental policies in the power industry, many of these concepts and requirements apply equally to other types of energy production and natural resource extraction activities in the United States and around the world.