Energy Law Basics

Book Synopsis: Professor DuVivier reviewed dozens of syllabi for energy law courses and brought that review, as well as her more than 25 years of law teaching, to bear when creating this Energy Law Basics (ELB) book. Energy Law is not one body of law, and an energy practice may involve a wide variety of skills. Consequently, no two energy law courses cover the same body of material. In addition, energy law changes quickly, and course materials must be updated constantly for accuracy. ELB was designed with these drivers in mind. First, it is professor-friendly and allows maximum flexibility. Timelines and thumbnail chapters give students a reliable summary of the relevant technology and history of key energy topics. The 19 chapters in Sections I-III provide enough material for professors to assign approximately one per week over a 15-week semester if they choose to adopt ELB as their only textbook. Alternatively, ELB can be adopted to provide a framework for a course, which the professor then supplements with (1) some or all of the nine skills exercises in part IV of the book; (2) more in-depth readings or books on particular topics; (3) student reports and discussions on current hot topics or updates about energy news; or (4) student seminar paper presentations. Alternatively, because ELB chapters are easy to mix and match and can stand on their own, the book can be ideal for short courses or as a supplement to other textbooks. Recognizing the fast-changing nature of energy law, each thumbnail chapter contains “Sources & Resources” citations to materials related to the chapter and also a Lexis-Advance update link to help find more recent updated legal areas of discussion. DuVivier brings her teaching and her technical expertise as a geologist to this book, but no one and no book can cover everything. Professor DuVivier asked experts in particular topics to review and provide substantive input on topics, but the sole-author mechanism allows ELB to avoid inconsistencies and repetition sometimes seen in multi-authored texts. DuVivier’s teaching has focused on simulations and practical applications, and the ABA now requires 6 credits of experiential education. The Fundamental Skills exercises in part IV of ELB can help meet the ABA requirements by allowing students hands-on opportunities to master the energy law subject matter while also honing skills that are transferable to any law practice.