The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) Institute for Energy Law (IEL) named Texas A&M University School of Law ​third-year student Brett Miller as the recipient of the 2016 Hartrick Scholar writing award, which includes a $2,500 cash prize, for his paper, “Embracing the Water-Energy Contradiction: The Pebble Mine Conflict and Regulatory Implications Associated with Renewable Energy’s Dependence on Non-renewable Copper.”

Miller’s paper details the contradiction that arises between those who seek to protect vulnerable ecosystems and those who desire to reduce carbon emissions, and was accepted for publication in the University of Denver Water Law Review.

CAIL works to “improve the quality of justice through the education of lawyers and law enforcement officials in the United States and throughout the world,” according to its website.

Miller, a 2015-16 Texas A&M Energy Institute Fellow, said he is very excited for his article to be recognized again, especially by IEL.

“I’m honored to receive the Hartrick Writing Award, and I think this highlights the fact that numerous Texas A&M law students are competing, and will continue to be successful, at a national level,” he said.

Miller said he can’t thank Associate Professor Gina Warren enough for her constant mentorship and for making these opportunities possible for him.

“She did a lot to help me win this award,” he said.

In addition to the cash prize, the award includes invitations to the IEL’s 67th Annual Oil and Gas Law Conference in Houston this month and the Hartrick Symposium: Career Paths for Young Attorneys in the Energy Sector in Norman, Okla. on April 1 and 2.

“I’m thrilled to attend the conference in Houston because the Institute for Energy Law provides great opportunities for students to network and interact with leaders in the oil and gas industry,” he said.

Among the recognized runners-up were students from Southern Methodist University Deadman School of Law, University of Houston Law Center and Texas Tech University School of Law.

- Article by Jennifer Nassar, Communications Specialist, Texas A&M University School of Law