by Chelsea Stein
From reviving the coal industry to rolling back critical environmental regulations and safeguards, the U.S. is undergoing massive deregulation of its energy sector. What does this shift in priority mean for the future of climate, energy and environmental law?
Experts, faculty and students at Michigan State University will explore this very question on Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Deregulation, Energy and the Environment: Balancing Power in a Warming World symposium. This free event is hosted by the Animal and Natural Resource Law Review, one of three student-run journals at MSU’s College of Law.
“The focus of this year’s symposium is to showcase what’s really happening in our country with regards to the upheaval of the energy sector,” David Favre, professor of law and the Nancy Heathcote Professor of Property, said. Favre, an internationally renowned figure in animal law, has served as the ANRLR faculty advisor since its inception in 2003.
“We’re bringing in professors from MSU and beyond, as well as experts from utilities and regulators,” he continued, “to get a clear picture of where the energy sector is now and how to move forward.”
The symposium will feature two panel discussions, showcasing insights from:
- Erik Nordman, director of MSU Extension’s Institute of Public Utilities and associate professor in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources’ Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics
- Douglas Bessette, associate professor in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources’ Department of Community Sustainability
- Roman Sidortsov, associate professor of energy policy at Michigan Technological University
- Daniel Farber, Sho Sato Professor of Law, faculty director for the Center for Law, Energy, & the Environment and co-director of the Edley Center on Law & Democracy at the University of California, Berkeley
- Noah Hall, professor of law at Wayne State University, with expertise in environmental and water law
- Nicholas Schroeck, dean and professor of law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, with expertise in environmental law
Clarissa Romero, ’26, is the ANRLR managing editor and organizer for the 2026 symposium. She’s enjoyed curating this year’s panelists to collaborate on a conversation about balancing needs in a warming world.
“Deregulation of the energy sector reshapes environmental protection, natural resource management, and climate policy,” said Romero, who hopes to continue working in environmental law upon graduation this spring. “I believe the symposium will offer diverse perspectives and will be insightful as these issues are top-of-mind in conversations surrounding how to best regulate natural resources in the face of climate change.”
Since 2013, the ANRLR has hosted its annual symposium each spring to bring scholars together to discuss a variety of critical topics like exotic animal ownership, Great Lakes water conservation and management, animal use in lab testing, deforestation and more. This year’s symposium is open to the public and intended for anyone interested in the energy sector including faculty, students and alumni, as well as community members and organizations.
The Deregulation, Energy and the Environment: Balancing Power in a Warming World symposium will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 10am-3:30pm at the Michigan State University College of Law building on campus. The event is free. Registration is available here.