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On March 4th and March 9th, 2010, Angus Macbeth conducted interviews of Robert Sussman and Igancia Moreno regarding the Obama Administration Environmental Initiatives and Priorities.

Robert Sussman is Senior Policy Counsel for the United States EPA and Ignacia Moreno is Assistant to the Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice.

Audio of the two interviews is accessible by clicking the links below: 

Robert Sussman - March 4, 2010

Ignacia Moreno - March 9, 2010

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Portland, Maine - October 1-3, 2009

****THIS MEETING OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY****

It's finally that time of year! The American College of Environmental Lawyers is having its Annual Meeting in Portland, Maine, October 1-3, 2009 at The Portland Regency http://www.theregency.com. Conference fees may be paid online below.  Please note that dress attire is business casual. The agenda is as follows:

THURSDAY

6 PM: Welcome Reception hosted by Bernstein Shur at the Portland Museum of
Art. Open to College members and their spouses/significant others.

 
FRIDAY

7:30-9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel (For members and spouses/significant others, in a large room)

9:00 - 9:15: Presidential Welcome and other announcements

9:15 - 10:30: Round the room member introductions: a quick 20 seconds of  info and humor to introduce yourself and describe what you do in the area of environmental law.
 
10:30 - 10:45: Break

10:45 - 11:50: Business Meeting: 1) Election and Induction of New Fellows (5 minutes); 2) Discussion and Vote on by-law changes (5-10 minutes); 3) Election of Officers and Board of Regents (5 minutes); 4) Plans for 2009-10 from incoming President (15 minutes); 5) Announcement of Committee Chairs and Duties of Committees—Nominating and Membership, Program and Education, Website, and Policy Committees; (5 minutes); 4) Committees each break into separate rooms have a preliminary meeting; those who have not previously selected a Committee can sit in on any meeting (45-50 minutes)

12:00 PM: College lunch at the hotel, guest speaker former Maine Governor Angus King

1:30-4:30: College member presentations/program

Session 1:

Climate Change Legislation and Regulation

Panelists:

Carol Dinkins – Vinson & Elkins, LLP

Bradley Marten – Marten Law Group PLLC

Stephen Ramsey – Yale Law School and Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies

Moderator:

David Farer – Farer Fersko

Session 2:

Climate Change Litigation

Panelists:

Linda Bullen – Lionel Sawyer & Collins

John Cruden – U.S. Department of Justice

Michael Gerrard – Columbia University Center for Climate Change Law

Jeffrey Thaler – Bernstein Shur

Moderator:

Karen Crawford –Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Friday Excursion to Freeport

For those not attending the conference, enjoy a half-day trip to Freeport, Maine. Freeport is home to L.L. Bean’s famous flagship store, several dozen designer factory stores (Burberry, Coach, and Cole Haan to name a few), cafes, and a quaint historic district. Also nearby is Wolfe’s Neck State Park for anyone wanting to hike mild trails and enjoy the foliage, or possibly a stop in at the Delorme Map Store and visit “Eartha” the world’s largest to-scale and revolving globe

Cost $40 per person, minimum of 8 people needed

http://www.freeportusa.com/index.html

Saturday Lobster Bake

Take a short scenic ferry trip across Casco Bay to Peak’s Island. Once there, you will take a short walk to the historic Fifth Maine Regiment for a classic New England Lobster Bake, including fresh Maine lobsters, steamers, corn on the cob, blueberry cake, and more. The Fifth Maine Regiment sits atop Peak’s rocky coast, overlooking Cushing Island,  with quaint garden featuring breathtaking views, and  a wraparound porch (weather permitting) or dining hall. After the lobster bake, you can explore the island and return to Portland at your convenience (or come early and explore!); ferries run hourly through the evening. The bake will start at 12:30, so you’ll want to make the 11:15 (or earlier) ferry from the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal.

Cost $75 per person, minimum of 25 people needed

 
HOTEL

We have reserved a block of rooms at The Portland Regency, http://www.theregency.com, (207) 774-4200. There are a limited number of rooms still available. Please make sure to mention you are with the American College of Environmental Lawyers to get our discounted rate.

REGISTER HERE - http://acoel.eroievent.com/

PAY HERE - 
To add multiple items you will need to select one item at a time, add to your cart, then select "Continue Shopping".

ACOEL Meeting Fee and Optional Additions

ACOEL Meeting Fee $275.00 Friday Excursion to Freeport $40.00 Saturday Lobster Bake $75.00

 Friday and Saturday Night Dinner Options

Portland is Bon Appetit’s  2010 Foodiest Small Town (article here), and Food & Wine’s Kate Krader has written that Portland’s culinary scene is “all-around terrific.” While there is no shortage of great restaurants in Portland, most of the dining venues are small and intimate. For Friday night's No Host Dinner, we have secured reservations at the most talked (and written) about restaurants in Portland that are within walking distance of The Portland Regency (the conference hotel). Please e-mail acoel@bernsteinshur.com with your first and second choices for Friday (and Saturday, if applicable) night’s dinner. Please have your selection in no later than September 23.

555

Five Fifty-Five classifies its cuisine as modern American and New England fare. Chef Steve Corry changes the menu frequently, but keeps some signature dishes on the menu year-round, such as truffled lobster mac n’ cheese, pepper crusted diver scallops with butter and vanilla emulsion, and Bangs Island mussels.

http://fivefifty-five.com/

Reservations: Availability for 30 at 8:00

Hugos

Hugo’s chef/owner Rob Evans is this year’s recipient of the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Northeast. Hugo’s passion lies in its love for creative food, good wine and wholesome Maine ingredients. The culinary team at Hugo’s, under Rob’s direction, delivers regional cuisine that is both unexpected yet ultimately familiar. The menu will be a blind tasting menu (prix fixe, $85 per person).

http://hugos.net/

Reservations: 2 tables of 4 at 6:15

1 table of 4, 1 table of 6 at 6:30

Fore Street Grill

Fore Street’s menu changes daily is founded upon the very best raw materials from a community of Maine farmers, fishermen, foragers, and cheesemakers, who are also our friends and neighbors. Most of these Maine foods are organically grown or harvested wild, each brought to us at the peak of its season. Fore Street was one of five national finalists for the James Beard Outstanding Restaurant category.

http://www.forestreet.biz/en/Home

Reservations: 2 tables of 10 at 6:00; 1 table of 10 at 9:00

Street & Company

Street & Company specializes in fresh, local seafood dishes and is considered by many to be Portland’s best seafood restaurant. In fact, they serve only seafood based dishes. It is a local’s favorite that is in its 20th year of operation. Like most of the menus on this list, it changes daily, but there are a few specialty items that are always available.

http://www.streetandcompany.net/home

Reservations: 2 tables of 6 at 8:00

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre serves “old school” Northern Italian cuisine, using produce grown on its owners’ farm. They were named in the “Top Ten Farm-to-Table Restaurants in the U.S.” by epicurious.com.

http://www.cinqueterremaine.com/main.html

Reservations: 2 tables of 10 at 6:30

Vignola

Vignola is the sister restaurant to Cinque Terre, and also serves Italian cuisine, in a more relaxed and casual atmosphere. It has an extensive beer and wine menu. Like Cinque Terre, the produce is grown by the owners for farm-to-table freshness.

http://www.vignolamaine.com/

Reservations: 2 tables of 10 at 6:30

Emilitsa

Emilitsa boasts a contemporary and casual atmosphere and brings a wide array of Mezethes (small plates), Megala Piata (large plates), and pristinely fresh seafood to the seacoast area. They take pride in honoring the breadth of traditional cuisine from all regions of Greece and prepare their dishes with as many local, fresh, organic, and natural ingredients as are available.

http://www.emilitsa.com/index.htm

Reservations: 16 seats at 7:00

Grace

Portland’s newest fine dining establishment is housed in a breathtaking restored church. The eclectic menu draws inspiration from all parts of the globe, using seasonal local ingredients.

http://www.restaurantgrace.com/

Reservations: 1 table for 10 at 7:00

For those of you staying for the weekend, also have the following reservations for Saturday night. Please note Saturday and your first and second choices in your response.

Fore Street Table for 10 at 6:00

Hugo’s Table for 6 at 8:30

Grace Table for 10 at 6:30

555 Table for 10 at 6:00

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The American College of Environmental Lawyers is planning its 2009 Annual Meeting for October 1-3 in Portland, Maine. A majority of the conference will be held at the Portland Regency Hotel (www.theregency.com). More information and an agenda to follow at a later date.

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AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS ANNUAL MEETING

San Francisco, California—September 25-26, 2008

****THIS MEETING OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY****

It's finally that time of year! The American College of Environmental Lawyers is having its first Annual Meeting in San Francisco, September 25-26 at the offices of Morrison Foerster. Conference fees may be paid online below.  Please note that dress attire is business casual. The agenda is as follows:

Thursday, September 25: Reception and Dinner 6:00 PM @ Michele Corash’s residence (1070 Green Street, between Leavenworth and Jones Streets; Recommendation: do not drive, walk from hotel or share cabs)

Friday, September 26: Annual Meeting….Morrison & Foerster, 425 Market St., Phone:  (415) 268-7000, (Go to Reception, 34^th Floor…3 blocks from hotel)

              9:00……. President Greetings

9:05-10:20…..Round the room member introductions, brief description of what each of us does in the environmental field

10:20-10:40….Break, refreshments

10:40-12:00….Business Meeting: 1) Election and Induction of New Fellows (5 minutes); 2) Discussion and Vote on by-law changes (5-10 minutes); 3) Election of Officers and Board of Regents (5 minutes); 4) Plans for 2008-9 from incoming President (15 minutes); 5) Announcement of Committee Chairs and Duties of Committees—Nominating and Membership, Program and Education, Website, and Policy Committees; (5 minutes); 4) Committees each break into separate rooms have a preliminary meeting; those who have not previously selected a Committee can sit in on any meeting (45-50 minutes)

Noon-1:30….Lunch at Morrison Foerster; Keynote Speaker—California Attorney General Jerry Brown (invited)

1:45-4:00….. Panel presentations to College and general discussions on climate change initiatives in each major region of the U.S. (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, South-Central, California and Northwest), Canada/Europe/Asia (Panels to be made up of current and new members…about 10-15 minutes per presenter)

4:00-4:30….College meeting to briefly report on and discuss Committee plans or ideas, solicit feedback, answer any questions, and then adjourn.

4:30-5:45….Reception for Fellows with refreshments at Morrison & Foerster

Evening: Dinner - Choose from several venues (below) and sign up in no-host groups; attendance not mandatory but encouraged, spouses/partners/significant others welcome.

Anna Mandara - Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco

The Scene
This beautiful restaurant (the name means "beautiful refuge") is in Ghirardelli Square -- a fun neighborhood to explore.  It is a cable car ride from downtown, a five to ten minute cab ride, or a classic San Francisco up and downhill 40 minute walk.

The Food
The food Vietnamese haute cuisine.  Wonderful combinations of tastes, and many fresh fish.  Crab, shrimp and shiitake imperial rolls in a lettuce leaf with mint, Striped bass seviche draped over cucumber and shallots in rice vinegar and chili oil, freshwater prawns with a turbinado sugar glaze flecked with chili pepper, quail with plum sauce on black sticky rice, and marvelous deserts.

Greens Restaurant,  Fort Mason, San Francisco -- Amazing vegetarian

The Scene
Another beautiful restaurant -- this one right in the harbor, with big glass windows overlooking the Golden Gate bridge and the waterfront.

The Food
One of the premiere vegetarian restaurants in the country. Braised tofu, yellow-squash risotto, yellow curry rattlesnake bean soup. Signature dishes include eggplant lasagna, linguine with hot peppers and char-grilled veggie brochettes are popular. A changing seasonal menu guarantees even more succulent successes.

Chef Annie Somerville's daily menu draws from a repertoire that has made Greens From the airy, art-filled dining room, with floor to ceiling windows you are treated to sweeping views of the Marina, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin headlands.

Boulevard, near the Embarcadero, San Francisco

The Scene
A block from your hotel, this is one San Francisco's finest.  The lights from the Bay Bridge can be seen at night. 
The Food
Depending on the time of year, dishes might include a fried squash blossom stuffed with ricotta, paired with a roasted porcini mushroom, dabs of pesto and tomato vinaigrette. Scallops topped by Dungeness crab salad on an artichoke puree with lemon-butter sauce. Grilled lamb chop or roasted lamb loin, New York steak with portobello mushroom, petrale sole with fava beans and marinated baby fennel etc

Meeting Fees

The meeting fee is $275 per person. You may use the PayPal button below to pay your conference fee and indicate in the "Additional Comments" section if you are bringing a guest, will be attending the dinner Thursday night, and if you have a Friday evening restaurant preference.

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