Event Details

Speaker: Paul Blackburn ’83, Staff Attorney, Honor the Earth

Over the past decade, conflicts over crude oil and natural gas pipelines have gained increasing public attention and shaped national, state and local politics, including Presidential politics.  In 2008, Paul Blackburn participated in the first tar sands campaign strategic planning meeting, and between then and now has worked as an attorney, expert, and strategic consultant on the Keystone XL, Alberta Clipper, Sandpiper, Line 5, Line 66, and Line 3 campaigns.  His clients have included organizations such as Dakota Rural Action, Bold Nebraska, the National Wildlife Federation, Minn350, and now Honor the Earth.  His opponents have included Enbridge, TransCanada, and the oil industry.  While much ink has been spilled in the press about pipeline fights, what’s it like to advocate and work for environmental nonprofits in environmental campaigns, and what lessons can be learned from a decade of conflict over pipelines?  And, how can your experience at Macalester prepare you to protect what you love?

Paul graduated from Macalester with a degree in Biology in 1983 and received a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1988.  He has worked in a very wide range of environmental and energy issues, including climate change, coal power plant and mine development, wind and solar energy development, fuel cell development, marine fisheries, national forest protection, public transit, local land use protection, mining, endangered species, and power lines.  He has served clients and communities as an attorney, grassroots organizer, campaign organizer, lobbyist, and strategic consultant.

Refreshments provided.