Today, alternative energy is at the forefront of the most innovative and exciting technological and policy research and work, and it has become a priority in almost all sectors. Developments in renewable energy technology like solar and wind are proving that alternative energies can be not only cleaner and more efficient than fossil fuels, but also provide a opportunities for reliable local job creation and other economic benefits. New alternative energy technologies are being envisioned, for example, ones that could turn waste into a renewable form of energy.1 Developments in the mining process of Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency known for its massive energy footprint, has resulted in a tweak to the mining process that will allow it to be more sustainably mined.2 After almost three years of court appeals attempting to get the case dismissed, a suit linking Exxon to climate change is going to trial.3 Meanwhile, climate change as a broad issue has become a core part of political platforms in presidential, congressional, and local bids.
Whether it’s the Green New Deal pending a vote in the Senate which will have a dramatic effect on America’s use of fossil fuels,4 international relations wrapped up in the Paris Climate Accord, or tech companies disrupting our current energy paradigms, one of the defining issues of this era is sustainable energy and its importance for the economy, the environment, and future generations, on both a domestic and global scale.
This volume will delve into the legal, regulatory, and policy implications in the development of sustainable energy technology and the many issues associated. It will provide the forum for a discussion on the policy challenges associated with a world in transition towards new energy technologies, economies, and geopolitics.