Nuclear power, clean water and regulatory changes top ABA environmental conference

April 20, 2026

Nuclear power, clean water and regulatory changes top ABA environmental conference

CHICAGO, April 20, 2026 - The American Bar Association will host the 55th Spring Conference and Environmental Law April 22-24 in Minneapolis. Hundreds of environmental lawyers, energy lawyers and leading environmental professionals will convene to discuss the present and future of environmental, energy and resources law and regulation.

Lissa Pawlisch, assistant commissioner, Federal and State Initiatives, Minnesota Department of Commerce, will give the keynote address, "Advancing the Energy Transition Amid an Ever-Changing Policy Landscape," at 8:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday, April 23.

Pawlisch will discuss the current policy landscape with respect to Minnesota's clean energy policy goals and how the state is adapting and working to navigate these changes to continue driving toward a clean, affordable and reliable energy system.

On Friday, April 24 at 8:30 a.m. CDT, the keynote address "State Leadership on Climate and Environmental Policy: A Conversation with Commissioners Kessler and Heiple" will feature Katrina Kessler, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Bonnie Heiple, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. They will discuss and share insights on advancing innovative climate and environmental policies, navigating regulatory challenges and fostering collaboration across states to address pressing environmental issues.

What:
55th Spring Conference on Environmental Law Sponsored by the ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources

When:
Wednesday-Friday, April 22-24

Where:
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
1300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Program highlights include:

• "The Shape of Water: Back to the Basics of the Federal Clean Water Act "
• "Going Nuclear: The Alternative [Energy] Universe"
• "We Can Work It Out: Negotiating Enforcement, Permit and Cleanup Solutions with Regulators"
• "Mapping the Past: Locating and Using Historical Imagery in Environmental Matters"
• "The Third Branch Review: An Overview of Court Trends and Trajectories"
• "I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet: Shifts in Federal, Tribal and State Environmental Law on Mineral Extraction Mining"
• "Law and Borders: Environmental Edition"

A brochure with a listing of all programs, panelists and speakers can be found online. For media credentialing and registration, please contact Betsy Adeboyejo at [email protected].