Research Reports ELI publishes Research Reports available for free download that present the analysis and conclusions of the policy studies ELI undertakes to improve environmental law and policy. These reports contribute to education of the profession and disseminate diverse points of view and opinions to stimulate a robust and creative exchange of ideas. Those publications, which express opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Institute, its Board of Directors, or funding organizations, exemplify ELI’s commitment to dialogue with all sectors.
Planning for Development and Sewage Infrastructure: Can We Be Consistent?
Environmental Law Institute
December 2005

Using Pennsylvania as a case study, ELI examines how sewage infrastructure affects land use planning.

Read More >
Securing the Promise of Nanotechnology: Is U.S. Environmental Law Up To the Job?
Linda K. Breggin
October 2005

Securing the Promise of Nanotechnology: Is U.S. Environmental Law Up To the Job? summarizes the output of a multi-stakeholder dialogue hosted by ELI and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, held earlier this year. The Dialogue brought together noted scientists, lawyers, and policymakers to examine how US laws and regulations, as well as additional means of governance such as voluntary programs and industry standards, can be used effectively to address the environmental, health, and safety implications of nanotechnologies.

Read More >
School District Liability for Indoor Air Quality Conditions
Environmental Law Institute
August 2005

School District Liability for Indoor Air Quality Conditions: A Review of Selected Legal Issues. The past several years have seen a notable increase in the number of lawsuits related to indoor air quality (IAQ) problems. A significant number of these cases have involved IAQ conditions in school facilities. This report analyzes legal issues that arise in IAQ-related claims brought against public school districts by parents or school staff in three areas of the law: state workers’ compensation schemes; common law tort; and federal disability rights/non-discrimination statutes.

Read More >
Estimating the Cost of Institutional Controls
John Pendergrass, Environmental Law Institute & Katherine N. Probst, Resources for the Future
May 2005

This report, co-produced with Resources for the Future, introduces for the first time a framework that can be used to plan for the types of activities and associated costs required to implement successfully institutional controls (ICs). Institutional controls are used at contaminated sites that are cleaned up to standards based on the assumption that they will be used in ways that will avoid exposing people to hazardous substances that remain in buried soils or groundwater.

Read More >
State Wetland Program Evaluation: Phase I
Roxanne Thomas, Brad Klein, Jessica Wilkinson, and Seema Kakade
January 2005

This study seeks to analyze seven core areas of state wetland programs, including regulatory programs, water quality standards, monitoring and assessment programs, restoration projects and initiatives, public/private partnerships, education and outreach, and coordination with state and federal agencies. Twelve states are examined in Phase I of the study, which will eventually expand to cover all 50 states.

Read More >