Energy Law: Career Prospects

As conceived by many, Energy Sector is not all about drilling oil wells and natural gas, or just building larger turbines. Being a highly regularised and exponentially developing field, it promises to be a lucrative alternative to traditional choices for law students.

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Law, apart from being an instrument of Social Control, has an important function of allocation and exploitation of Resources for peoples based development. While it is a generally understood motive behind the rule of law, the importance of developing and strengthening the latter is often omitted by law students. Energy law is one such domain of law.

What are Energy Laws?

Energy Law has been defined as the allocation of rights and duties concerning the exploitation of all energy resources between individuals and government, between governments and between states. It encompasses usable power (as in heat or electricity) and the resources for producing that power. Energy laws govern the production, use and taxation of both renewable and nonrenewable energy resources. Ideally, our energy laws and regulations are designed to provide affordable energy, while protecting the economic, environmental, and security

interests of the country as well as ensuring the International Laws, treaties & conventions.

The Energy Sector:Energy sector is a highly regulated industry with evolving laws and constantly changing policies as per technological up gradation, resources availability and environmental issues. At present there is a large gap between available energy and what is produced. For this reason this is a fast growing industry with an exponential growth rate in the XII Fiveyear plans. There is also a lot of scope for Foreign Direct Investment because of a liberalised road map laid by the government to strengthen Indias Energy Sector.

Role of Law in the field:As conceived by many, energy sector is not all about drilling oil wells and natural gas, or just building larger turbines. Its about creating the right balance between public policy and regulation and implementing them to industries committed to harness energy resources. It includes laws and policies that are considerate of technological advancements as well as economic and environmental impact.

What Lawyers Really do? :A lawyer well versed with the technicalities of Energy laws, apart from having essential acumen of traditional laws can be an invaluable asset for their organisation. They can work as in-house counsels, for companies or in policy roles, be it for companies, with advocacy groups or in government (legislative or regulatory). Lawyers in this domain have to deal with a wide variety of issues, relating Energy transactions, regulatory issues, environmental impact assessment as well as litigation. Energy transactions involve general corporate and financial matters, tax or real estate. They can practice in law firms, or work directly for a company or government agency. Environmental impact issues are essential in obtaining necessary permits, an approvals to produce, use and transport renewable and non renewable energy. Hence the work is largely multifarious involving a great deal of work from diverse areas producing ample opportunities for law aspirants.

Major Areas at Energy Laws:-

Oil (upstream and downstream) Natural Gas Electric Power Nuclear Energy Wind Solar Mining Environment Geothermal Bio-energy Siting of Power Stations, Pipelines and Electric Power transmission lines.