George Buckley is the recipient of the Second Annual Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Center Student Scholarship Award.
Buckley’s winning article is titled “America the Sustainable: FERC’s Ability to Support Clean Energy Questioned in the Wake of Shifting Agency Authority.”
Along with a $10,000 scholarship, Buckley, who is a fourth-year student at the UH Law Center, will present his paper at the 9th Annual North American Conference: “Rewiring the Future: How Technology, Policy, and Investment Are Empowering the New Electricity Era” on April 17.
“In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, many practitioners in administrative law are left to ponder the far-reaching impacts that the end of the Chevron Doctrine will have,” states Buckley. “Specifically, this comment seeks to determine what impact, if any, the overruling of the Chevron Doctrine will have on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s ability to steer national energy policy towards a renewable energy future.”
As a Houstonian, Buckley’s passion for renewable energy and federal regulation stems from living in the Energy Capital of the World.
“This city is heavily invested in oil and gas, which is a very important part of the national economy,” Buckley said. “My interest in sustainability doesn’t come out of a desire to end the use of petroleum-based fuels, but rather, a recognition of the potential that exists in alternative fuels. Often the narrative is very black and white when it comes to renewable vs. non-renewable energy, but I don’t see it that way.”
Q&A with George Buckley
What made you decide to participate in the competition?GB: I’ve had the pleasure of taking two classes with Professor Gina Warren so far throughout my experience at UHLC. It was Professor Warren’s class, Renewable Energy Law, that prompted me to write this comment, so when I finished writing in March of 2025, I was excited to share my work. Upon telling Professor Warren about the finished product, she told me about the competition. I was excited about the opportunity to broaden the potential audience for my writing, so I submitted my comment for consideration.
What made you choose the topic of your winning article?GB: My choice in topic was a synthesis of experiences. First, my 1L Statutory Interpretation and Regulation course, taught by Professor Andrew Michael, took place during a time when everyone was uncertain about the future of the Chevron Doctrine. This made learning about the concepts behind administrative law very interesting because of the timeliness of the issues we were analyzing. Then, during the summer between 1L and 2L, I was given the amazing opportunity to join the Houston Law Review’s Board 63, which came with the opportunity to write a comment. As I was considering the topic to write about, I was still curious to learn more about administrative law, but I knew that the focus needed to be narrower. After my first week in Renewable Energy Law with Professor Warren, I became fascinated with the intersection of renewable energy and federal regulation. From all of those experiences, I began the research process to hone in on what the paper has now become.
What are your career goals?GB: I had the pleasure of working at Bracewell in their Houston office for my 1L summer, and I fell in love with the firm, their attorneys, and the work that they do. I am returning for the summer of 2025, and I hope to continue getting to learn from the amazing people there. My goal is to go into commercial litigation when I graduate
What led you to pursue a legal education at the UH Law Center?GB: Upon graduating, I knew that I wanted to continue my education, but before pursuing law school, I became an English teacher for middle and high school students. After spending three years as a teacher, I was ready for a new challenge. UHLC was a clear choice for me because of my Houston roots, the prominence of the school, and the amazing network the law center provides.
What advice do you have for UHLC students about competitions or law school?GB: I would recommend taking a chance on yourself. No matter what you think you are capable of, there is always an opportunity to put yourself out there, and you might be surprised that you are capable of more than you originally thought.
Original source can be found here.