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WVU national moot court competition focusing on coal and solar energy

UPDATE 3/5/22: Congratulations to Autumn Brehon and Brianka Yzaguirre of the University of Houston Law Center, winners of the 12th annual National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition, arguing for the Appellee. Great effort by the second-place team of Chris Cerny, Eden Faure and John Schwieters from the University of Minnesota Law School!


MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Students from a record 29 law schools are competing March 2-5 in the 12th annual National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition, hosted by the West Virginia University College of Law.

The competition is organized by WVU’s  Center for Energy and Sustainable Development for students who want to work in energy and environmental law. It is being held virtually.

This year, 39 teams will grapple with legal issues related to the Clean Air Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The moot court problem involves a fictitious federally owned electric utility company that operates an aging coal-fired power plant and a concentrating solar power facility.

The coal-fired power plant has exceeded its state emission standards but refuses to pay the penalty. At the same time, the concentrating solar power facility is using more natural gas than expected while killing protected bird species at an alarming rate.

The final round of the moot court competition will be webcast live on YouTube.

Law schools participating in the 2022 National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition are:

  • American University
  • Appalachian School of Law
  • College of William & Mary
  • Duquesne University
  • George Washington University
  • Georgetown University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Indiana University Bloomington
  • Lewis & Clark College
  • Louisiana State University
  • Ohio State University
  • Penn State University
  • Regent University
  • South Texas College of Law Houston
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of Colorado
  • University of Dayton
  • University of Houston
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  • University of North Carolina
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Toledo 
  • University of Utah
  • University of Virginia
  • Vermont Law School
  • Villanova University
  • Yeshiva University

As the host school, WVU Law does not compete. The first of its kind in the country, the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition was established in 2011. 

Attorney Raymond Hinerman of Weirton, West Virginia, is the title sponsor of the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition. The event receives support from the Natalie Jefferis Energy Law Endowment and Babst Calland, P.C. WVU Law’s moot court program receives support from Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C.

-WVU-

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