COJK 2016 PILF Summer Grantee Comments on EPA Clerkship
COJK’s 2016 PILF Summer Grantee, Cameron Zangenehzadeh, is in the full swing of things as an honors law clerk with EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance in Washington, D.C., where he is assigned to the Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training. Cameron has completed multiple research and writing projects, on topics ranging from the Fourth Amendment to the Crime Victim’s Rights Act, which has broadened his understanding of EPA’s criminal enforcement program. Additionally, Cameron was excited about the considerable educational opportunities provided to him at EPA. EPA’s National Enforcement Training Institute hosts hour and half seminars, twice weekly, in which EPA attorneys and experts discuss a wide range of subjects. Cameron has attended seminars on the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CERCLA, and Environmental Justice initiatives, among others.
Recently, Cameron attended a Senate hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, provided testimony. Cameron stated, “The debate on environmental law appears to be representative of the debate on many issues in the U.S. It’s completely polarized. While most Americans ostensibly value a clean and healthy environment, many disagree as to what constitutes a clean and healthy environment, and how best to implement and enforce policies, laws, and programs which achieve that goal.” Cameron also worked for EPA’s Office of Regional Counsel, Region 10, last summer. He added, “My experience in government the past two summers has led me to the belief that environmental law is an iterative process. It is constantly being revised and amended, and hopefully this process converges on the desired result of protecting human health and the environment. Many environmental advocates, like myself, believe that the pace of change is often too slow to address many of the salient environmental issues we face not only as Americans, but as a part of the global community. But, the EPA, along with non-profits, NGO’s, and other public interest organizations, play a vital role in protecting the air, land, and water for future generations. I’m proud to be at EPA representing Seattle University as COJK’s PILF grantee.”
