I am excited to announce that effective today, the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation is The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law!

Our new name is a reflection of what we are and what we do – we provide high-quality, scholarly, and practical legal education and foster collegial relationships. The new name recognizes how we have grown.

We will continue to be as dedicated to scholarship and legal education in oil and gas and mining law as we were when we were founded nearly 68 years ago. Even from the beginning of the Foundation, we have been a leader in legal education related to public land law and water law. And for decades, we have educated lawyers and other professionals on renewable energy, environmental protection, and Indian law. We pursued these other areas recognizing that the laws concerning the development and use of minerals, energy, and water are interconnected, and further intertwined with conservation and sustainability. The new name more closely represents our current and prospective members, who already broadly view themselves as “natural resources and energy” lawyers and professionals.

In addition, the Foundation has expanded from its roots in the Rocky Mountain region. Today, our members hail from around the globe, including 42 U.S. states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 37 countries. These members include attorneys, landmen, government personnel, managers, consultants, law faculty, students, and others involved in the practice, work, and study of natural resources and energy law. We are governed by trustees from industry, bar associations, law schools, firms, companies, and government who are dedicated to our mission. In short, we are a broad, collegial organization that brings people together from around the world.

As we transition to our new name, I am also delighted to introduce our new logo. The logo represents energy, mineral, and water resources with the impression of dynamic movement similar to our organization and the areas of law we cover, and with the impression of mountains, reflects our history and the strong foundation we have built in the natural resources and energy law community.

Please join me and The Foundation’s Board of Directors, which proposed the new name, and the Trustees Council, which overwhelmingly approved the new name, in embracing the name and spreading the word that we are now The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law.

 

Though touted as “roads and bridges” legislation, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill signed in November touches nearly every element of domestic energy development and natural resources and reflects a shift in federal policy toward reducing net greenhouse gas emissions. The Foundation is holding a three and ½ hour virtual seminar in January featuring nine speakers who will break down the 2800-page bill and its provisions related to grid infrastructure and resilience, mining, permitting improvements, carbon capture and sequestration, conventional and renewable energy sources, and water infrastructure.

The 68th Annual Institute will be held in Vail on July 21-23, 2022, and room reservations are robust. By our estimate, approximately 450 people have already reserved their rooms. We have discounted rooms and condos at a number of properties throughout Vail at the best possible price, from simple hotel rooms to luxurious four-bedroom residences, and everything in between. For those wishing to extend their trips, most hotels are offering our conference rates up to three days before and after the meeting, based on availability. Although registration for the annual institute will not open until early March, with our discounted blocks selling out fast, don’t wait any longer to book your accommodations at this family-friendly location.