8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction
– Lindsey A. Remakel, Institute Chair

9:05 – 10:05 a.m. 
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Past Is Not Prologue: Environmental Enforcement Under President Biden and What the Future Holds Under President Trump
The keynote address will describe efforts to revitalize EPA enforcement during the Biden-Harris administration, after a decade of budget cuts and the challenges of the pandemic hampered the Agency’s efforts to hold polluters accountable. The keynote also will address how EPA pivoted its enforcement and compliance efforts to address 21st century environmental challenges like climate change, environmental justice, and PFAS contamination—and what will come of those efforts during the second Trump administration.
– David M. Uhlmann

10:05 – 10:15 a.m.
BREAK

10:15 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
The 2025 Case Law, Regulatory and Legislative Updates

10:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Air and Climate Change Update
This session will provide an overview of federal and state regulatory actions, caselaw developments, and litigation that will affect air quality and climate requirements in Minnesota in the years to come.
– William P. Hefner

10:45 – 11:15 a.m.
Water Update
This session will highlight recent state and federal cases involving water law. It will also cover regulatory developments in water law and highlight potential legal changes in the year ahead.
– Jay Eidsness

11:15 – 11:25 a.m.
BREAK

11:25 – 11:55 a.m.
Environmental Review and Environmental Rights Update
Environmental review remains a cornerstone of environmental law both federally and nationally. This session will explore the year’s most significant judicial and regulatory developments with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA).
– David J. Zoll

11:55 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
CERCLA/MERLA/RCRA Update
This session will highlight key CERCLA, MERLA and RCRA decisions and provide an update on developments in federal and state cleanup and waste policies during the past year.
– Andrew W. Davis & Lindsey A. Remakel

12:25 – 1:25 p.m.
LUNCH (provided)

12:40 – 12:55 p.m.
Presentation of the Eldon Kaul Distinguished Service Award
– Joe Dammel; Chair, MSBA Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Law Section

1:25 – 2:25 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A

101
What to Know About Environmental Appeals – Appealing an Administrative Decision to the Court of Appeals
This session will provide an overview of appealing an environmental case and the key steps and factors you need to keep in mind along the way. From the Writ of Certiorari, to how and where you can obtain the record, our panel of experts will share insights into the appellate process. Learn about relevant motion rules, how to write an effective brief, best practices during oral argument, plus tips on how to convey complicated scientific concepts to non-scientists and how to translate scientific jargon into a persuasive legal argument. Additionally, our panel of experts will discuss ideas on how to improve the process for administrative appeals.
– Ann E. Cohen, Colin O’Donovan & Byron E. Starns
– Judge Elise L. Larson (moderator)

102
AI Tools for Environmental and Energy Law
AI is a new and rapidly developing technology. This session will explore what AI tools are out there and how you can use them in your environmental and energy law practice.
– Alisha Hennen & Luke Norquist

103
What to Know About Data Centers and Large Load Projects and How Are They Impacting Our Cities and the Environment
Data Centers seem to be the new rage these days as more and more pop up around the country. Whether it is to satisfy new AI infrastructure or other servers, these large load projects require a lot of resources like energy, land, and water. This session will explore the impact of these large load projects on cities, the electric grid, along with permitting and regulatory, land use, and zoning issues.
– Matthew B. Harris & Justin L. Templin

2:25 – 2:40 p.m.
BREAK

2:40 – 3:40 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B

201
Environmental Law in Farm Country
This session will provide an overview of the regulatory framework and the state and federal laws that apply to agricultural land. Additionally, hear about the main environmental issues facing farmland and practice pointers on how to resolve and help your agricultural clients.
– John C. Kolb

202
9 Cases Every Environmental Attorney Must Know About
This session will cover the most important Minnesota and Federal Environmental Cases. These key cases will range from issues around agency powers, constitutionality of governing statutes, federalism and more!
– Joy R. Anderson, Richard A. Duncan & Peter N. Surdo

203
PFAS Remediation: A Primer for Lawyers
This session will provide an overview on the type of PFAS remediation options available for soil and groundwater and drinking water. Additionally, hear about new technologies being deployed and used in this space.
– Professor Ali Ling, Jon Petali & Shalene Thomas
– Jeffery Sepesi (moderator)

3:40 – 3:55 p.m.
BREAK

3:55 – 4:55 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C

301
Energy Law for Environmental Lawyers
This session will provide an introduction to energy law with a focus on regulation of the energy industry at the state and federal level, including a discussion of the intersection of energy regulation with environmental requirements.
– Elizabeth H. Schmiesing

302
Cumulative Environmental Impacts – Understanding and Preparing for Upcoming Regulations
The MPCA has begun working on regulations relating to cumulative environmental impacts following the passage of the Frontline Communities Protection Act. It is important for environmental attorneys to understand what cumulative impacts are in order to prepare for the upcoming regulations. This session will discuss what cumulative impacts are, policy background, potential impact to the permitting process and more!
– Jennifer Koenen, Juventino Meza & Claire M. Williams

303
Mental Health and Substance Use in the Legal Profession and in the Practice of Law
1.0 mental health and substance use credit applied for
Lawyers are exposed to experiences that can lead to higher stress and greater consequences than those in many other careers. There is a clearly recognized continuum where unresolved chronic stress becomes a predictor for substance use problems and mental illness, particularly depression and anxiety. By understanding this continuum and the facts about addiction and mental illness, lawyers can reduce their risk and, hopefully, get help earlier when there is a mental health, substance use, or related problem. This program will present signs, symptoms, risk factors, and recovery regarding these challenges, as well as well-being tools and Minnesota resources, including Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers.
– Joan M. Bibelhausen & Jon M. Tynjala

4:55 – 5:30 p.m.
The Annual Institute Reception – Food! Fun! Prizes!
Join your friends and colleagues for tasty refreshments, plus in-person conversation and networking, and fun Prize Drawings!

LIVE IN-PERSON
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAY
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Attend online
Online replay includes all plenary and breakout sessions. A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

$345 MSBA members / $345 paralegals / $395 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• Discounted Rate for Public Interest Attorneys:
  Persons who work for the government, public institutions or nonprofit organizations are eligible for a discounted tuition rate of $125. This special tuition rate is co-sponsored by the MSBA Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Law Section and is limited to the first 25 qualifying applicants. Please email customerservice@minncle.org or call 800-759-8840 to apply.
• Judicial Clerks and Legal Aid Attorneys Discount
  Judicial clerks and legal aid attorneys are eligible for a 50% discount. An option for this discount will be available during the checkout process.
• Law Students can attend this program for free.
  Please email customerservice@minncle.org or call 800-759-8840 to apply.
  
• Season Pass Discount
• New Lawyer Discount

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 mental health and substance use credit for session #303. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits. Minnesota CLE is an accredited sponsor in Wisconsin and North Dakota.