Energy and the economy focus of CUSLI conference
March 04, 2014
Most agree the future of Canada-US relations will be defined by energy. But the exact terms of that definition are hotly debated. At the heart of this debate are a whirlwind of issues concerning the environment, economic opportunity, foreign direct investment, infrastructure, and even the strength of bi-national trade relationship.
The 2014 CUSLI Conference, "Continental Drift - Energy, Climate Change, and our Bi-National Economy" will examine how our nations can come together to solve these difficult questions and create a new vision for North American energy.
The conference takes place from April 4-5, 2014 at the Case Western Reserve School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio.
“This is an excellent venue to get up-to-speed on current energy and energy-related issues between our two countries,” said Prof. Chi Carmody of Western Law and Canadian National Director of CUSLI.
“From the Keystone XL pipeline debate to tanker transportation and the environmental impact of the oil sands, there’s a number of important issues related to energy in our bilateral relationship that need to be explored.”
Conference keynotes will be delivered by Chas Freeman, former U. S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and J. Robinson West, a senior adviser with CSIS Energy and National Security Program.
This Conference will address two parts of the energy-climate change "coin": supply and demand. On the supply side, speakers will address what's needed to develop new energy sources in an economical, yet environmentally responsible, way. To that end, the Conference will also analyze the increasing role that Asian markets are playing in North American energy projects, not only as energy buyers but also as infrastructure investors.
Lastly, the Conference will examine the various attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions legislatively, whether through a carbon tax or clean energy standards.
On the demand side, the Conference will focus on two of the largest sources of greenhouse emissions: building construction, regional planning, and transportation. First, speakers will analyze how existing laws hinder the ability to design new and retrofit existing communities that could dramatically increase North American energy efficiency.
Panelists will address both building construction standards, and also city community planning including transportation.
Finally, speakers will turn to the automotive sector to ask why advances in innovative technology (i.e. electric, natural gas, etc.) have outpaced their adoption.
The Canada - United States Law Institute (CUSLI) is a bi-national, not-for-profit, multi-disciplinary entity created jointly in 1976 by Case Western Reserve University School of Law located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA and the Faculty of Law at Western University.
CUSLI serves as a forum where the respective governments, business communities, legal professionals, academics, non-governmental organizations and the media explore and address the issues confronting the Canada - United States relationship.
The aims of CUSLI are establish institutional and professional linkages between Canada and the United States and to afford comparative law and research opportunities to the students and faculties at member institutions, as well as the bar membership in each country and among the wider public.
