News and Events

Last year’s newsletter reflected on what GEI had accomplished in a “best of” moment of fun before the chaos and drama of the next administration descended on us. We never could have guessed what we were all about to face … 

GEI staff attorney expressed concerns about Pacific Power’s decision to remove the Boardman to Hemingway planned transmission line from its Integrated Resource Plan. In response to a citizens’ request to revoke the certificate allowing condemnation of private property.

GEI, Sierra Club, Mobilizing Climate Action Together, and the Northwest Energy Coalition argued that the that the certificate was premised upon the transmission line’s “broad public benefits, not the needs of a single private entity.” Allowing PacifiCorp to change course would “violate the spirit and legal framework under which the line was approved by this commission,” Alex Houston, an attorney with the Green Energy Institute who represents the groups, told commissioners. It would also “harm Oregon customers and set a dangerous precedent wherein the justifications supporting issuance of a certificate may summarily be disregarded once the utility gets approval,” he said.

Meet three outstanding JD scholarship students committed to pursuing careers challenging industrial animal agriculture: Josephine Blatny, Camille Bond, and Nicole Wood.

How can we meet growing energy needs, prepare for extreme weather, and modernize the grid? Join the NW Energy Coalition in Portland on December 3 for expert insights, collaboration, and solutions at the Fall 2025 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference. 

‘Nothing Scarier Than Climate Change’ Action Week is right around the corner! There are a variety of different events to attend from going door to door canvassing for electrification policy in Bend to sitting in on a very important Bend City Council worktime meeting. Bend City Council has a big opportunity to make major strides towards our climate goals, so we have a big responsibility to make our voices heard and ensure a safe, clean future for all!

The river otter, beloved for its scrappiness, teamwork, and Pacific Northwest roots, is officially Lewis & Clark’s new mascot. The adorable, semiaquatic mammal emerged as the top choice among students, alumni, and employees.

A full week of great information, including Director Carra Sahler participating in a Decarb Policy Panel on Friday, September 26 at 11:00 AM PT.

Lewis & Clark Law School is proud to announce the 2025 Environmental Law Diehl fellows!
Megan Sweeney ’25 is working for Earthrise Law Center and Courtney McCoy ’25 is working for the Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment. Learn more about these fellows below! 

Are you considering law school? Join us at free Lewis & Clark Law School’s Open House on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn all about the application process, financial aid options, and what it’s like to be a law student. You’ll have the chance to hear from current students, alumni, and faculty during Q&A panels, plus take an optional tour of our beautiful campus.

Dozens of 2025 graduates received recognition for their legal scholarship and their contributions to the Law School and its community.

Durwood Zaelke, professor and advocate against super pollutants, shared his insights on global environmental agreements that protect the climate and avoid triggering a tipping point in the Earth’s temperature.

From old-growth forests to endangered rivers, Earthrise’s East Coast Office is making waves in 2025 with bold legal action to protect ecosystems and strengthen environmental safeguards.

Earthrise wrapped up a successful 2024–25 school year, with students contributing to major environmental victories, including protecting endangered species and restoring river habitats. The clinic also welcomed back co-founder Dan Rohlf as director as it looks ahead to its 30th anniversary.

For Lewis & Clark Law School, Earth Day isn’t a once-a-year event—it’s a daily mission. Explore the ongoing environmental endeavors of our faculty and students:

LLM ’25 candidate Kiefer Stenseng’s paper, “The Jurisprudence of Statutory Interpretation: A Framework for the Logical Restraints of Legal Positivism and Textualism,” will be published in the Nebraska Law Review this fall.