Debate over cost of carbon's footprint launches program on Oct. 16

HOUSTON, Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Center at the University of Houston Law Center today announced the line-up for its Fall speaker series focusing on three key issues facing the state and nation.

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"These lectures will highlight key challenges in current environmental law and policy," said Tracy Hester, director of the EENR Center speaker series: "How should we estimate the costs imposed by carbon dioxide emissions, what water laws and policies will best protect Texas' environment and future growth, and what can we expect from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under its new administrator and general counsel."

The kick-off presentation, "The Social Cost of Carbon - A View from Both Sides," features David Bookbinder, former chief climate counsel of the Sierra Club, and David Bailey, former global climate policy manager for ExxonMobil, both now with Element VI Consulting. The discussion will be Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m., with a reception to follow.

Carlos Rubinstein, chairman of the newly reconstituted Texas Water Development Board, will discuss "The Future of Texas Water Law and Policy" at noon on Oct. 28. Rubinstein served as a commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before his recent appointment to the TWDB.

The final lecture of the series, "EPA in the Rearview Mirror," features Scott Fulton, EPA's general counsel from 2009 to 2013. The lecture will be one of his first since leaving the EPA. Fulton is now a partner in the firm of Beveridge & Diamond in its Washington office. The presentation will be at noon on Nov. 14.

Each lecture will be held at the University of Houston Law Center and is free and open to the public. Visit www.law.uh.edu/eenrcenter/ for more information about the EENR Center.

The EENR Center Speaker Series is made possible through the support of Connelly Baker & Wotring LLP, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP., Vinson & Elkins LLP, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP,  Porter & Hedges LLP, Blackburn Carter, P.C., Kinder Morgan (as the successor to El Paso Corporation), and the Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas

Media contacts: Carrie Criado, 713-743-2184, cacriado@central.uh.edu; John T. Kling, 713-743-8298, jtkling@central.uh.edu; or Jessica Franklin, 713-743-5067, jmfaz@central.uh.edu.

About the University of Houston The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best colleges for undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 40,700 students in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country.

About the University of Houston Law Center The University of Houston Law Center is the leading law school in the nation's fourth-largest city. Founded in 1947, it is a top-tier institution awarding Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees. The Law Center is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center

RELATED LINKShttp://www.law.uh.edu/