Law summit to tackle energy, water, wildlife

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore brings a military leader's methodical approach to preparing for disasters.

Pat Mulroy brings more than 25 years' experience to balancing the allocation of water for millions of people in growing but drought-stricken areas.

Both are set to bring their expertise to Tulane University for the 20th Annual Summit on Environmental Law and Policy Feb. 27 and 28 in New Orleans.

"One of the harshest lessons learned from recent disasters, especially Katrina, is that you are your own first responder."

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré

The summit, produced by student members of Tulane Law School's Environmental & Energy Law Society, attracts hundreds of attorneys, academics, students and representatives from government, industry and nonprofit groups for two days of panel discussions on critical issues affecting the environment and energy fields.

This year's topics include federal protection of prairie dogs, new limits on carbon emissions, fracking for gas extraction, the Louisiana levee board's lawsuit against oil companies, energy independence, urban transportation planning and offshore wind power.

Mulroy, the Feb. 27 evening keynote speaker, spent 25 years as general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, helping guide the region through a period of unprecedented growth and daunting drought. She now is senior fellow for climate adaptation and environmental policy at Brookings Mountain West, a research and policy development center at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Honore, who's scheduled to close out the summit Feb. 28, was nicknamed the “Category 5 General” for his leadership of Joint Task Force Katrina, the U.S. Defense Department's response to the 2005 storms that devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. He has continued to work on public education about essential preparedness for emergencies, disasters and hurricanes.

Sessions are open to the public and free, though fees are charged to lawyers seeking CLE credit.

More information is available through the summit website, Facebook page or Twitter account.

Linda P. Campbell is director of communications for the Tulane Law School.