Law Seminars International Presents

The Third Annual Conference on

Electricity & Natural Gas Markets and Regulation

The inside track from the nation's leading energy professionals

March 15 & 16, 2007
Jurys Washington Hotel in Washington, DC
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Who Should Attend

For all attorneys, industry and government representatives new to the energy industry and seasoned professionals looking for a valuable update on today's energy regulation

Why Attend

"The electricity and natural gas sectors literally fuel the U.S. economy: end-use consumers pay about $400 billion per year for electricity and gas service. Key elements of these critical industries are subject to extensive Federal and State regulation, and those regulatory structures are undergoing significant changes. To the uninitiated, this complex and ever-changing web of regulatory oversight may appear arcane and impenetrable. This two-day conference is designed to demystify electricity and natural gas regulation by providing a solid foundation in the relevant regulatory framework and probing key regulatory issues of the day. The conference is designed for attendees from law firms, energy companies, the financial community, government and anyone in the energy industry. The faculty is composed of seasoned experts in the pertinent regulatory fields, many of whom have leadership experience in key regulatory agencies." ~ Program Co-Chairs: Douglas Smith, Esq. and Susan F. Tierney, Ph.D.

What You Will Learn

~ How energy commodities work ~ Major economic and regulatory policies ~ Legal foundations for federal and state energy regulation ~ Environmental regulations ~ Legislative initiatives ~ FERC proceedings ~ State Commissions ~ Financial markets ~ New coal plant development ~ Regulation of Renewables ~ Gas pipelines & LNG ~ Market oversight & enforcement ~ Post EPAct industry consolidation

What Attendees Have Said About Similar Programs

~ "This is an impressive agenda and list of speakers" ~ "I really appreciated it, it was an excellent conference!" ~ "The faculty is stellar" ~ "Congratulations to you and the meeting co-sponsors. This really is a first rate program"

Agenda

Thursday, March 15, 2007
8:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 am Introduction to Day 1: An Update on the Fundamentals of Energy Regulation Today
  Douglas W. Smith, Esq., Program Co-Chair
 Van Ness Feldman PC / Washington, DC
  Susan F. Tierney, Ph.D., Program Co-Chair, Managing Principal
 Analysis Group / Boston, MA
8:45 am Two Unique Energy Commodities: How They Work and the Social Policy Implications
  The mechanics of gas from wellhead to burner tip and electricity from generator to load; the unique physical characteristics of gas and electricity that led to regulated monopolies in some sectors and competitive markets in others
  Susan F. Tierney, Ph.D., Program Co-Chair
 Analysis Group / Boston, MA
10:00 am The Economics of Energy Regulation
  An economist walks through major economic and regulatory policy issues affecting electric and natural gas utilities
  Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D., Partner
 Bates White, LLC / Washington, DC
10:45 am Break
11:00 am Legal Foundations for Federal Energy Regulation
  A quick review of the Federal Power Act and Natural Gas Act, focusing on the current legal and regulatory issues for energy markets as the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is implemented
  Douglas W. Smith, Esq., Program Co-Chair
 Van Ness Feldman PC / Washington, DC
12:00 pm Lunch (on your own)
1:15 pm Legal Foundations for State Energy Regulation
  Similarities and differences in the legal foundations for the various states; the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and its role; current policy trends, and initiatives
  Diane Munns, Esq., Director of Energy Services Group
 Edison Electric Institute / Washington, DC
2:00 pm Implications of Environmental Regulation
  Air regulation, climate, and related policy initiatives and litigation (including state initiatives and the conflict between the states and EPA over who has the authority and obligation, to do what)
  Kyle W. Danish, Esq.
 Van Ness Feldman PC / Washington, DC
2:45 pm Break
3:00 pm Inner Workings: Former Key Insiders Share Their Insights About the Realities of Regulatory Processes
  The federal legislative arena: What are the congressional committees? Who holds the reins? What are the prospects for further energy-related legislation?
  Daniel M. Adamson, Esq.
 Davis Wright Tremaine LLP / Washington, DC
  FERC as the primary federal energy regulatory agency: Who are the staff players? What are the different types of proceedings? What are the current initiatives?
  Mary C. Morton, Esq., Attorney Advisor
 US Department of Energy Office of General Counsel / Washington, DC
  State regulatory commissions: Different objectives, constituencies, and pressure points; friction points with federal agencies (including new jurisdictional disputes arising from the EPAct of 2005) and the most effective ways for resolving them
  Glen R. Thomas, Esq.
 Blank Rome LLP / Philadelphia, PA
5:00 pm Reception for Faculty and Attendees Sponsored by Analysis Group and Van Ness Feldman PC

Friday, March 16, 2007
8:30 am Introduction to Day 2: Regulatory Challenges Affecting the Development and Operation of Energy Facilities
  Douglas Smith, Esq., Program Co-Chair
 Van Ness Feldman PC / Washington, DC
  Susan F. Tierney, Ph.D., Program Co-Chair
 Analysis Group / Boston, MA
8:45 am Where are the Financial Markets Placing Their Bets?
  Tens of billions of dollars will be invested in new energy infrastructure over the coming decade. How will investors decide where to put their money, and how will the regulatory environment shape those decisions?
  Stephen A. Herman, Esq., Managing Director
 Energy Capital Partners / Short Hills, NJ
9:15 am The Regulatory Environment for Energy Facilities Development
  New Coal Plant Development: Will incentive programs for IGCC and other clean coal technologies spur investment? Will changing Clean Air Act rules and the prospect of climate change regulation deter investment? Will adequate transmission be available?
  Lawrence E. Volmert, Esq.
 Holland & Hart LLP / Denver, CO
  Regulation of Renewables: What is the policy and market environment for renewable energy development? How do PURPA, tax credits and renewable portfolio standards shape market?
  Gunnar Birgisson, Esq.
 Bracewell & Giuliani LLP / Washington, DC
  Gas pipelines & LNG: How is the development of natural gas infrastructure regulated? What are the respective roles of Federal and State regulators?
  Patrick J. Hester, Esq., P.E., Associate General Counsel Northeast Region
 Spectra Energy Group / Houston, TX
10:30 am Break
11:15 am Regulation of Transmission
  RTOs and ISOs: What are these regional organizations? Are they successful in enhancing competition, lowering prices, and getting needed infrastructure built? How can market players successfully participate in RTO/ISO decision making?
  Janet Gail Besser, VP, Regulatory Affairs
 National Grid USA / Westborough, MA
  Now that Congress has acted, what do NERC, FERC, and the states have in the works to improve reliability?
  David N. Cook, Esq., VP, General Counsel and Director of Regulatory Affairs
 North American Electric Reliability Council / Princeton, NJ
12:15 pm Lunch (on your own)
1:30 pm Market Oversight & Enforcement
  What is FERC's Office of Enforcement doing with its expanded authority and expanded resources? What are the best strategies for dealing with the FERC enforcement staff?
  Robert Pease, Deputy Director Office of Enforcement, Division of Investigations
 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission / Washington, DC
  How do in-house counsel manage compliance with the complex web of regulatory requirements, such as the FERC standards of conduct and market manipulation rules?
  Janice Alperin, Esq., VP and Associate General Counsel
 El Paso Corporation / Houston, TX
2:45 pm Break
3:00 pm Mergers & Acquisitions
  Legal and economic perspectives on post-EPAct industry consolidation: Did repeal of PHUCA make much difference? What role are the states playing? What is in store for the future?
  Clifford M. Naeve, Esq.
 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP / Washington, DC
  William H. Hieronymus, Ph.D., VP
 CRA International / Boston, MA
4:30 pm Evaluations and 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 companies and law firms wishing to send large groups, please contact Barb Smith at (206) 734-5128. 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. 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, March 9, 2007. 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 12.5 VA 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 Jurys Washington Hotel at 1500 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W in Washington, DC 20036. Call the hotel directly at (202) 483-6000 for reservations at the special negotiated rate of $199 and mention that you are attending a Law Seminars International conference. The cutoff date for this special rate is February 12.
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

Douglas W. Smith, Program Co-Chair, joined Van Ness Feldman PC after being General Counsel to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He was also Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy at the U.S Department of Energy. He specializes in electricity and natural gas regulation as well as climate change strategy and energy efficiency policy. He also teaches energy law and regulation at the George Washington University Law School.

Susan F. Tierney, Ph.D., Program Co-Chair, Managing Principal, Analysis Group, focuses primarily on energy policy and economics, specializing in the electric and gas industries. Previously, she was Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Energy, and past Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.

Daniel M. Adamson is a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, who focuses on energy and environmental matters including regulation of energy markets and hydroelectric licensing. Previously, he was Director of the Office of Energy Projects at the FERC, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Power Technologies, and as an advisor to the Secretary of Energy, U.S. DOE.

Janice Alperin, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of El Paso Corporation, is responsible for federal legislative and regulatory policy matters and for providing legal counsel on certain Federal Energy Regulatory Commission matters. Previously, she was a regulatory lawyer for The Coastal Corporation representing the company in matters relating to the FERC's regulation of Coastal pipelines.

Janet Gail Besser is Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, U.S.Transmission, for National Grid USA, where she is responsible for transmission regulatory and policy issues. Previously, she was Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy.

Gunnar Birgisson's practice at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP focuses on electric power markets and regulatory matters, including power market design and renewable energy policy and development, as well as natural gas and LNG regulation.

David N. Cook is Vice President, General Counsel, and Director of Regulatory Services North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). Prior to joining NERC in 1999, he worked for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and was heavily involved in the commission’s restructuring efforts for both the natural gas and the electric industries.

Kyle W. Danish, member, Van Ness Feldman PC, focuses his practice on domestic and international environmental and energy matters. He is a frequent speaker and has published numerous articles on global warming and emissions trading issues.

Stephen A. Herman, Managing Director, Energy Capital Partners, with operating and transition management experience, was previously senior counsel for Goldman Sachs' power asset investment management activities and senior vice president and general counsel of PG&E National Energy Group.

Patrick J. Hester, Associate General Counsel, Northeast Region for Spectra Energy Group, is responsible for all commercial and regulatory legal matters for Spectra's Northeast pipelines as well as engineering and operations matters for all of Spectra's US pipelines. Previously, he was Vice President of Project Management and Development at Duke Energy Gas Transmission, responsible for the oversight and coordination of DEGT's expansion projects.

William H. Hieronymus, Vice President of CRA International, specializes in the structure and regulation of network utilities and associated management, industry policy, and regulatory issues. He assists energy clients in strategy matters relating to mergers and acquisitions and has testified before FERC, state commissions and in federal courts.

Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D., is a Partner at Bates White, LLC, working for electric utilities, state governments, academia, and as an economic consultant. Dr. Lesser has addressed critical economic and regulatory issues affecting the energy industry, and is co-author of Fundamentals of Energy Regulation, which will be published in 2007 by Public Utilities Reports, Inc.

Mary C. Morton is Attorney Advisor in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of General Counsel. Previously she advised FERC Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell, and worked in the FERC's Office of General Counsel on rate matters including the California electricity crisis.

Diane Munns, an Iowa utility regulator and immediate past president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), will become executive director of the Edison Electric Institute's retail energy services group beginning in February 2007. She has made energy efficiency one of her top regulatory priorities in recent years, is co-chair (along with Jim Rogers, CEO and chairman of Duke Energy and this year's EEI chairman) of the National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency, a collaborative undertaking by utilities, public utility commissions, energy consumers, and non-governmental groups

Clifford M. Naeve, partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, specializes in energy policy and regulatory matters. As a Commissioner at the FERC he developed FERC policies for enhancing competition in the natural gas industry and new approaches to the Commission's regulation of the electric power industry.

Robert Pease is the Deputy Director, Office of Enforcement, Division of Investigations, at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He brings more than 17 years of FERC experience to OMOI and an additional seven years at the Federal Election Commission.

Glen R. Thomas, partner at Blank Rome LLP, is an authority on competitive utility markets and was previously Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. He has been an environmental and energy advisor to Governor Tom Ridge and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and has been recognized as one of the top "40 under 40" professionals.

Lawrence E. Volmert, of counsel at Holland & Hart LLP, represents different industries regarding environmental permitting, compliance and enforcement. He has helped clients negotiate permits, resolve disputes, obtain favorable agency rulings and defend enforcement proceedings concerning air and water quality, hazardous waste, and cleanup of contaminated sites.
Full bio and contact info for Lawrence E. Volmert at Holland & Hart LLP

Firm Links

Analysis Group
California Public Utilities Commission
Holland & Hart LLP