Environmental enforcement developments explored at virtual ABA conference

Legal experts from the public and private sectors will discuss national enforcement in the areas of climate change, emerging contaminants, water quality and environmental justice at the virtual National Environmental Enforcement Conference Tuesday and Wednesday, December 14-15, sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources.

Todd Kim, assistant attorney general in the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, will deliver a keynote address, followed by a conversation with John C. Cruden, principal at Beveridge & Diamond PC, which will be available on demand to all registrants on the event platform.

Other program highlights include:

• “Enforcing Equity: Advancing EPA’s Robust Environmental Justice Initiatives” — In its first year, the Biden administration has taken tangible steps to advance environmental justice across the federal government through executive orders and policy. This session will provide an in-depth review of the Biden administration’s policies and analyze how EPA’s enforcement focus on addressing pollution in overburdened communities could impact the regulated community.—Tuesday, December14, 12:30 to 2 p.m.

• “The Resurgence of Environmental Criminal Enforcement? Anticipated New Trends in Enforce­ment Targets, Tools and Teammates” — In his “Plan to Secure Environmental Justice and Equitable Economic Security,” then-candidate Joe Biden committed to pursue environmental criminal cases to the fullest extent permitted by law, and to hold corporate executives personally accountable. Panelists will review and discuss recent policy announcements from both DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and EPA, including a directive to the criminal program to strengthen detection through the use of mapping tools.—Wednesday, December 15, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Cost for the conference is $120 for section members, $195 for ABA members, $295 for general attendees, and free for law students.

To register for the conference or for additional information, visit www.americanbar.org/groups/environment_energy_resources and click on “Events &?CLE.”