This spring, student attorneys in the Environmental Law Clinic engaged in a wide range of impactful projects, tackling pressing environmental justice and regulatory issues across the region. Their work included:
- Civil Rights Advocacy
Submitted a supplemental Title VI complaint to the Federal Railroad Administration against Amtrak, citing violations of civil rights in eight additional communities affected by the construction of a new train tunnel through the heart of Baltimore.
- Transparency & Accountability
Filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to federal and state agencies regarding potential violations of air, labor, and water laws related to a rock quarry, a proposed pyrolysis plant, and a large animal feeding operation.
- Energy Infrastructure Oversight
Filed a motion to intervene with the Maryland Public Service Commission on behalf of a local watershed organization opposing a proposed electric transmission line that would cross numerous bodies of water throughout the state.
- Community Science & Environmental Harm
Collaborated with experts and residents to develop scientific evidence of harm caused by air and water pollution, as well as blasting impacts from a quarry located near residential neighborhoods.
- Constitutional Environmental Rights
Developed a litigation proposal leveraging the Pennsylvania Environmental Rights Amendment to challenge a law that restricts a state agency’s ability to prevent livestock pollution in state waters.
- Climate Accountability
Helped draft and file an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit against companies promoting fossil fuel use without disclosing the climate change impacts of combustion.
- Legislative Engagement
Two sets of students testified on two separate bills during the Maryland General Assembly session, with some presenting before the House and others before the Senate. Emily Rudo and Jo Vonderhorst testified in support of the CHERISH Act, which aims to strengthen public participation and community input in environmental permitting processes. Emily spoke before the House Environment & Transportation Committee, while Jo testified before the Senate Education, Energy & Environment Committee. Emily Rudo, Genevieve Block, and Jack Libby worked on the bill opposing proposed changes to oyster poaching laws. Emily testified again before the House Environment & Transportation Committee, and Genevieve presented before the Senate Education, Energy & Environment Committee.