Law Seminars International Presents

3rd Annual Comprehensive Conference on

Energy in the Southwest 2006

New Directions in Energy Markets and Regulations

July 13 & 14, 2006
Hilton of Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM
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Who Should Attend

Attorneys, industry executives, government and tribal officials, and customer representatives involved with energy issues in the Southwest

Why Attend

After several years of turmoil and uncertainty in the U.S. Southwest, new directions in energy regulation and energy deregulation are becoming clear. Besides representing some of the fastest-growing markets in the nation, the region is asserting leadership in promoting environmentally sound energy resources, in the development of renewable energy and in finding new ways to use energy more efficiently. This conference will help energy professionals from all sectors gain a better understanding of current market and regulatory conditions in the Southwest, and the faculty of expert speakers will offer insight as to how evolving technologies, policies and practices are shaping the energy sector of the future. ~ Program Co-Chairs: Jon Wellinghoff and Steven S. Michel, Esq.

What You Will Learn

* FERC implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 * Industry perspective on Southwestern markets * Competitive markets and FERC energy trading oversight * State regulatory priorities * Gas supply outlook * Prospects for new nuclear and coal generation * Renewable resource development * Getting communicty buy-in for large infrastructure projects * Greenhouse gas cap and trade programs * New Mexico's Climate Change Advisory Group * Transmission developments in the Southwest * Tribal perspectives on energy development * How the financial markets view Southwest energy markets * Effective funding strategies

What Previous Attendees Have Said

* Best Conference I've ever attended * Overall verbal content was excellent * Great Diversity of Speakers

Agenda

Thursday, July 13, 2006
8:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 am Introduction & Welcome
  David Coss, Mayor
 City of Santa Fe / Santa Fe, NM
  Steven S. Michel, Esq., Program Co-Chair, General Counsel
 New Mexico Industrial Energy Consumers (NMIEC) / Santa Fe, NM
  Arthur O'Donnell, Program Co-Chair
 Energy Overseer / San Francisco, CA
8:45 am Special Address: Key Regulatory Policies: Update on FERC Implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct)
  How the EPAct has changed FERC's regulatory policy priorities, especially as they pertain to the issues of most importance to the Southwest
  The Hon. Suedeen G. Kelly, Esq., Commissioner
 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission / Washington, DC
9:30 am A CEO's Perspective on the changing energy markets in the Southwest and the best direction for federal policy
  Jeffrey E. Sterba, CEO
 PNM Resources / Albuquerque, NM
10:15 am Break
10:30 am Key State Regulatory Policies: Current Developments and Directions
  Arizona
  ^Name (Chairs)
 ^Firm / ^Location,
  New Mexico
  The Hon. Ben R. Lujan, Chairman
 New Mexico Public Regulation Commission / Santa Fe, NM
  Nevada
  Frederick J. Schmidt, Esq.
 Hale Lane Peek Denison & Howard, LLP / Carson City, NV
12:15 pm Lunch (on your own)
1:15 pm Competitive Markets and Federal Energy Trading Regulation
  Update on FERC OMOI Market Oversight & Enforcement: Strategies for dealing with market transparency, market manipulation, and enforcement provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005
  Michael R. Sweeney, Esq.
 Hunton & Williams LLP / Washington, DC
2:00 pm Natural Gas as a Fuel: Will There Be Enough?
  Will the leveling off of production in the San Juan and Permian supply basins be replaced with new Rocky Mountain sources? How will prospects for LNG imports affect the marketplace? What new pipelines and storage facilities will be needed?
  Hua Fang, Ph.D., Senior Economist
 Lukens Energy Group / Houston, TX
  Sean P. Kolassa, Director EPNG Marketing
 El Paso Natural Gas / Colorado Springs, CO
  Michael R. Niggli, President
 Sempra Generation / San Diego, CA
3:15 pm Break
3:30 pm Update on Other Traditional Fuels
  Nuclear power: Gaining endorsements from environmentalists concerned about global warming, but still facing cost and waste disposal challenges--what are the prospects?
  Stuart R. Butzier, Esq.
 Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk PA / Albuquerque, NM
  Coal: Regulatory environment for coal generating power plants; what's likely to get built and where; the promise of new technologies such as IGCC; whether IGCC is ready for prime time
  F. William Brownell, Esq.
 Hunton & Williams LLP / Washington, DC
4:45 pm Getting Community Buy-In for Large Infrastructure Projects
  Points of strongest resistance and most likely acceptance for transmission lines, pipelines, and power plants; who to involve and how to develop effective strategies
  Robert Bellemare, P.E., President & CEO
 UtiliPoint International Inc. / Albuquerque, NM
  Points of strongest resistance and most likely acceptance for transmission lines; pipelines; and power plants; who to involve and how to develop effective strategies
  William Moye, President
 STAR Group / Albuquerque, NM
5:30 pm Reception For Attendees and Faculty
  Sponsored by Hunton & Williams, LLP

Friday, July 14, 2006
8:30 am Renewable Resource Development
  Solar: Trends in central and distributed generation; value in the Southwest for showing peaks; shade with parking; impact of renewable portfolio standards and policies
  Ben Luce, Ph.D., President
 New Mexico Solar Energy Association / Albuquerque, NM
  Wind: How the U.S. compares with wind industries abroad & reasons for lower adapter rates here; renewable energy credits; production tax credits; transmission challenges
  William (Bill) McCabe, Director
 Distributed Generation Energy Systems, Inc. / Lakewood, CO
  New Mexico as a clean energy state; diversifying the state's economy and safeguarding its environment
  Craig O'Hare, Special Assistant for Renewable Energy
 Office of the Secretary / Santa Fe, NM
10:00 am Break
10:15 am The Growing Importance of Environmental Policies in Energy Development
  National Cap and Trade Program Update; California PUC's recent cap policy for greenhouse gases
  Michael Walsh, Esq., Senior Vice President
 Chicago Climate Exchange, Inc. / Chicago, IL
  Update on the Southwest Climate Initiative, the New Mexico Climate Change Advisory Group, and New Mexico's decision to become the first state to join the Chicago Climate Exchange
  Sandra Ely, Environment and Energy Policy Coordinator
 New Mexico Environment Department / Santa Fe, NM
  Economic perspective on the impact of environmental regulations on the energy industry
  Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D., Partner
 Bates White, LLC / Washington, DC
12:00 pm Lunch (on your own)
1:15 pm Transmission Developments in the Southwest
  Prospects for new high voltage transmission connections throughout the Southwest to better integrate the regional marketplace and offer new opportunities for improving system reliability
  Robert E. Kondziolka, P.E., Manager of Transmission Planning
 Salt River Project / Phoenix, AZ
  The Grid Wise Alliance and smart grid technology: Update on the U.S. Department of Energy task group focused on defining the next generation of information systems for the national electrical generation and distribution power grids
  Richard Drummond, CEO and Chief Scientist
 The Drummond Group, Inc. / Ft. Worth, TX
2:30 pm Tribal Perspective on Energy Development in the Southwest
  Key provisions in the Indian Title of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; areas where Native American tribes are most interested in exploring new partnerships for energy and economic development on their resource-rich reservations and territories
  Karen J. Atkinson, Esq., Executive Director
 Native American Contractors Association / Washington, DC
3:15 pm Break
3:30 pm Financing New Energy Projects
  The overall environment for financing new projects: How the financial markets view Southwest energy markets
  Chinelo Chidozie
 Standard & Poors / New York, NY
  Making your best deal: Current trends in financing strategies for energy projects
  Edwin F. Feo, Esq.
 Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, LLP / Los Angeles, CA
5:00 pm Evaluations & Adjourn

Tuition

Regular tuition for this program is $995 with a group rate of $895 each for two or more registrants from the same firm. For government employees, we offer a special rate of $795. For students and people in their job for less than a year, our rate is $497.50. For tribal members, our rate is $497.50. All rates include admission to all seminar sessions, food and beverages at breaks, and all course materials. Make checks payable to Law Seminars International.

Cancellation & Substitution

You may substitute another person at any time. We will refund tuition, less a $50 cancellation fee, if we receive your cancellation by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2006. After that time, we will credit your tuition toward attendance at another program or the purchase of a homestudy. There is a $25 cancellation fee for Course Materials orders and $50 for Homestudy orders.

Continuing Education Credits

This program qualifies for 14.0 NM CLE credits. Upon request, we will apply for CLE credits in other states and other types of credits.

Location

The conference will be held at the Hilton of Santa Fe Historic Plaza Hotel at 100 Sandoval Street in Santa Fe, NM 87501 USA. Call the hotel directly at (505) 988-2811 or (800) 336-3676 for reservations at the special negotiated rate of $189.00 and request the group rate for "Energy in the Southwest." Individuals may also make reservations via the Internet at hiltonofsantafe.com, clicking on the reservations icon and entering the code ENE. Any individual reservation canceled within 72 hours prior to arrival or any "no show" is subject to the first night room and tax penalty. Rooms are on a first come, first served basis.
More about the Location
Map & Directions

If You Cannot Attend

Our complete Homestudy Course, consisting of a VHS or DVD recording and the written course materials, is available for $1005. The written course materials alone are available for $100. We will ship your homestudy order via UPS ground within two weeks after the seminar or the date we receive payment (whichever is later).
Order Homestudy

Faculty Bios

Steven S. Michel, Program Co-Chair, has served as General Counsel for the New Mexico Industrial Energy Consumers. Over the years, he has worked to develop energy-related legislation in New Mexico and represented a number of educational, environmental, consumer and business clients in public utility matters.

Arthur O'Donnell, Program Co-Chair, is Energy Overseer and author of "Soul of the Grid: A Cultural Biography of the California Independent System Operator." He was founding editor of the California Energy Markets newsletter and a frequent contributor to Public Utilities Fortnightly.

The Hon. Suedeen G. Kelly, Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Fellow at the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, previously served as Chair of the New Mexico Public Service Commission.

Karen J. Atkinson serves as Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association, in Washington, D.C. Ms. Atkinson has served as Deputy Director of the National Park Service and as Senior Counsel to Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Robert Bellemare is President and CEO of UtiliPoint International Inc. He has diverse management experience in startup business, sales and marketing, electric operations, and research and development. As former Managing Director of CSW Energy Services, Inc., he led CSW's entry into states with newly deregulated electricity markets.

F. William Brownell is a partner with Hunton & Williams LLP, where his practice focuses on resources, regulatory and environmental law. Mr. Brownell was lead counsel in significant appellate cases challenging EPA and other rulemaking.

Stuart R. Butzier is shareholder and director at Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk, PA. He chairs the firm's mining practice group in litigation and administrative proceedings on issues of interest to the uranium and nuclear industries.

Mayor David Coss was elected in 2006 as Mayor and as Santa Fe City Councilor in 2002. In 1996 he served as the Santa Fe City Manager. Much of Mayor Coss's public service has been committed to issues affecting the environment, transportation and quality of life issues in Santa Fe, including protection of the city's water supply, supporting city parks and co-sponsoring the Neighborhood Bill of Rights.

Richard Drummond is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientist of The Drummond Group, Inc. and an authority on e-business industry. He serves as chairman on the Grid Wise Architecture Council.

Sandra Ely is the Environment and Energy Policy Coordinator for the New Mexico Environment Department and is currently managing the state's climate change initiative. Previous to this she served as New Mexico's Air Quality Bureau Chief.

Hua Fang is a Senior Economist with Lukens Energy Group and has expertise in derivative asset pricing, econometrics modeling, stochastic processes and fundamental market analysis.

Edwin F. Feo, a partner at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, LLP, represents companies in corporate and financial transactions in the energy and infrastructure industries. He was named California Lawyer magazine Attorney of the Year in the Energy category and American Lawyer "Deal Maker of the Year."

Sean P. Kolassa, Director, EPNG Marketing at El Paso Natural Gas, is responsible for gas marketing in the Rocky Mountain area and the Southwest.

Robert E. Kondziolka is Manager of Transmission Planning at the Salt River Project. He currently serves as Chair of the Southwest Area Transmission Regional Planning Group, Vice-Chair of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council and Chair of the Mead-Phoenix Project Engineering and Operating Committee.

Jonathan A. Lesser is a Partner with Bates White, LLC, and has more than 20 years experience working for electric utilities, government and academia as an economic consultant. Previously Dr. Lesser was President of New England Economics Group and Director of Regulated Planning with the Vermont Dept. of Public Service.

Ben Luce is President of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association. Dr. Luce is a theoretical physicist and renewable energy advocate, a staff member at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Hon. Ben R. Lujan is Chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. He has served as the CFO for the state Cultural Affairs Department and as the Deputy State Treasurer for New Mexico.

William (Bill) McCabe is Director, Native American Programs and Resources, Distributed Generation Energy Systems, Inc. (DISGEN). His experience also includes work with Mobil Oil Corporation, the Council of Energy Resource Tribes and the American Indian National Bank.

William Moye is founder and President of STAR Group. He has broad expertise in meeting design and facilitation, strategic planning, leadership, management team performance, marketing and organizational development.

Michael R. Niggli is President of Sempra Generation. Prior to joining Sempra, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nevada Power Company and then Sierra Pacific Resources. Mr. Niggli also served as a senior executive with Entergy Corporation.

Craig O’Hare was appointed by Governor Richardson as the Special Assistant for Renewable Energy in the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and is responsible for guiding the implementation of the Governor’s clean energy (renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean fuels) agenda. Previously, Craig was Water Programs Administrator for the City of Santa Fe from 1996-2002, where he directed water conservation, drought emergency, and watershed management programs.

Frederick J. Schmidt is a shareholder in the law firm of Hale Lane Peek Denison & Howard, LLP. He is a former Nevada Public Utilities Commissioner, and was former Chief Deputy Attorney General for Nevada. Mr. Schmidt also served as counsel for the Colorado River Commission.

Jeffrey E. Sterba is Chairman, President and CEO of PNM Resources, the parent company of PNM, Texas-New Mexico Power, First Choice Power and Avistar. Mr. Sterba was Executive Vice President of USEC, a global energy company headquartered in Maryland.

R. Michael Sweeney is a partner with Hunton & Williams LLP. His practice focuses on representing traditional public utilities, independent power producers and energy marketers on energy regulatory matters pending before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Michael Walsh serves as Senior Vice Presidentl for the Chicago Climate Exchange, Inc. (CCX).

Firm Links

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