Notes from the Editor

Elliot Eder
Van Cleve & Eder

In this issue, the Special Committee on Science and Technology presents four articles on how the environmental, energy and resource sectors are addressing issues related to our national infrastructure. Suddenly, this focus of a lawyer's attention has a new name: homeland security. To those of us who have focused on such issues for many years, it seems a bit ironic suddenly to find that what formerly had not interested persons outside of our profession now is a hotly debated topic.

With that hubris, we present you with four interesting articles. The first, by David Fischer and Jessica Stuart, assesses the use of chlorine in drinking water systems in the context of national vulnerability and preparedness. Next, toxicologist and food safety expert Tom Orme considers the threat to our nation's food supplies in depth, and he makes some recommendations in the wake of our national tragedy. The third article, by Phil Kessack, explores the ramifications of potential terrorist exclusions from insurance policies on both consultant companies hired to make vulnerability assessments, and on their client companies. Finally, Jeff Gordon, Carrick Brooke-Davidson and John Dugdale discuss one approach to preparing for an emergency response incident when the FBI will be the lead investigative agency.