Law Seminars International Presents: The Fourth Annual Comprehensive Conference on

Electric Energy
Markets, Regulation and Investment

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March 3 & 4, 2008
Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC

Who Should Attend

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

Key elements of the electric energy industry are subject to extensive federal and state regulation. Those regulatory structures and investments are undergoing significant changes. This complex and ever-changing web of regulatory oversight can appear arcane and impenetrable.

We will discuss the evolving regulatory framework for the electric energy industry and probing regulatory issues of the day, along with investment choices in the regulatory environment.

This conference provides valuable updates on today's energy regulation for attorneys, industry and government representatives new to the energy industry as well as seasoned professionals.

~ Program Co-Chairs: Marc Chupka and Douglas Smith, Esq.

You Will Learn About

What Attendees Have Said About Similar Programs

Agenda

Monday, March 03, 2008

8:00 am

Registration and Continental Breakfast

 
8:30 am

Introduction to Day 1: Update on the Evolving Regulatory Framework for the Electric Energy Industry

Douglas Smith, Esq., Program Co-Chair
Van Ness Feldman / Washington, DC

Marc Chupka, Program Co-Chair, Principal
The Brattle Group / Washington, DC

 
8:45 am

Electricity: How Changing Economics and Evolving Regulation Affect this Unique Commodity

Nature of the supply chain; structure of the industry; operation and planning

Marc Chupka, Program Co-Chair
The Brattle Group / Washington, DC

Traditional and evolving market models; the revised regulatory landscape

David Mead, Ph.D., Economist, Division of Policy Analysis and Rulemaking
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission / Washington, DC

 
10:30 am

Break

 
10:45 am

Electric Utility Regulation: Current Regulatory Challenges

FERC's initiatives and evolving role in electric utility regulation; regulatory perspectives on infrastructure investment

Douglas Smith, Esq., Program Co-Chair
Van Ness Feldman / Washington, DC

Challenges facing state utility commissions; more traditional forms of regulation; hands on versus hands off role in resource planning; relationships with state legislatures

Maureen O. Helmer, Esq.
Green Seifter Attorneys PLLC / Albany, NY

 
12:00 pm

Lunch (on your own)

 
1:15 pm

Special Address: FERC's New Emphasis on Energy Efficiency

The Hon. Suedeen G. Kelly, Esq., Commissioner
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission / Washington, DC

 
1:45 pm

Market Oversight and Enforcement

What is FERC's Office of Enforcement doing with its expanded authority and resources? What are the best strategies for dealing with the FERC enforcement staff?

William F. Hederman, Jr.
U.S. Congressional Research Service / Washington, DC

How does in-house counsel manage compliance with the complex web of regulatory requirements, such as the FERC standards of conduct and market manipulation rules?

Antoine P. Cobb, Esq., Manager, Federal Regulation
Arizona Public Service / Phoenix, AZ

 
3:00 pm

Break

 
3:15 pm

Climate Change and Strategies for Electric Utilities and their Regulators

Legal update on climate change and related policy initiatives and litigation; implications of state initiatives for federal policy making

Kyle W. Danish, Esq.
Van Ness Feldman / Washington, DC

Practical aspects of emerging greenhouse gas credit markets: What companies are doing now and what are they looking to do in the future; near and long-term implications for industry players and utility regulatory agencies

Kyle W. Danish, Esq.
Van Ness Feldman / Washington, DC

State perspective on regulatory concerns arising from greenhouse gas transactions; discussion of "Resolution on Federal Climate Change Legislation and Cap-and-Trade Design Principles" and "Resolution on State Regulatory Policies Toward Climate Change"

The Hon. Richard E. Morgan, Commissioner
District of Columbia Public Service Commission / Washington, DC

 
5:00 pm

Reception for Faculty and Attendees Sponsored by The Brattle Group and Van Ness Feldman PC

 

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

8:30 am

Introduction to Day 2: Electricity Investment Decisions in Today's Regulatory Environment

Marc Chupka, Program Co-Chair
The Brattle Group / Washington, DC

Douglas Smith, Esq., Program Co-Chair
Van Ness Feldman / Washington, DC

 
8:45 am

Where are the Financial Markets Placing Their Bets?

Credit ramifications of decisions by various state regulatory commissions on credit quality

Richard W. Cortright, Jr., Managing Director, Corporate & Government Ratings Dept.
Standard & Poor's / New York, NY

 
9:30 am

Nuclear as a Reemerging Resource Option

Factors driving interest in new nuclear; investment challenges and stimuli; the then-and-now of construction; prospects for getting over the used fuel management hurdle

Charles W. Whitney, Esq.
Duane Morris LLP / Atlanta, GA

 
10:00 am

New Coal Technologies: Will They Enable the Industry to Overcome Environmental Challenges?

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 drive or deter investment? Will infrastructure development keep pace?

Robert M. Sussman, Esq.
Latham & Watkins LLP / Washington, DC

 
10:30 am

Break

 
10:45 am

Other Resource Options and Their Prospects

Gas pipelines and LNG: How is the development of natural gas infrastructure regulated? What are the respective roles of Federal and State regulators?

Patrick J. Hester, Esq., Associate General Counsel Northeast Region
Spectra Energy Corp / Houston, TX

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

With renewable resources often located where large populations/major electric transmission are not, what policy, environmental and regulatory issues need to be addressed for the U.S. to fully utilize the range of available renewable resources?

Jill S. Tietjen, P.E., President and CEO
Technically Speaking, Inc. / Greenwood Village, CO

 
12:15 pm

Lunch (on your own)

 
1:30 pm

Resource Options: Achieving a Good Match Between Regulatory Expectations and Private Sector Investment Processes for Efficiency and Demand Side Management

Legal issues

Phillip G. Lookadoo, Esq., Moderator
Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP / Washington, DC

Demand side management

Craig McDonald, Managing Director, Energy Practice
Navigant Consulting, Inc. / Philadelphia, PA

Efficiency

Judith L. Mondre, President and Founder
Mondre Energy Inc. / Philadelphia, PA

Utility resource planner's perspective

Daniel Peaco, President
La Capra Associates / Boston, MA

 
3:00 pm

How Resources Compete in the Market, in Utility Integrated Resource Plans (IRP) and in the Regulatory Arena

Marc Chupka, Program Co-Chair
The Brattle Group / Washington, DC

 
3:30 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 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 Tuesday, February 26, 2008. 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 11.5 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 Capital Hilton Hotel at 1001 16th Street, NW in Washington, DC 20036. Call the hotel directly at (202) 393-1000 for reservations and say that you are attending a Law Seminars International conference. Reference code is "LAW". Rooms are on a first come, first served basis.
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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

Marc Chupka, Program Co-Chair, Principal with The Brattle Group, analyzes market impacts of domestic and international energy and environmental policy and assists energy market clients and counsel in management analysis, regulatory proceedings and litigation support. He focuses on electricity and fuel procurement policies, integrated resource planning, reliability analysis, litigation in Clean Air Act matters, renewable energy policy design and estimating the impact of climate change policies on the energy industry and other sectors.

Douglas Smith, Program Co-Chair, member at Van Ness Feldman, was General Counsel to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy. He specializes in electricity, natural gas, and hydroelectric regulation.

The Hon. Suedeen G. Kelly, Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), was a professor of energy law and public utility regulation at University of New Mexico School of Law. She was also a fellow at the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and chair of the New Mexico Public Service Commission.

Phillip G. Lookadoo, Moderator, partner at Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP, focuses on transactional and regulatory aspects of the energy industry and has experience with FERC's development of open-access electric and gas transmission, QF and EWG issues and market-based rate tariffs.

Gunnar Birgisson, counsel 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.

Antoine P. Cobb is Manager of Federal Regulation at Arizona Public Service. APS works to generate, sell and deliver electricity and energy-related products and services in the western United States.

Richard W. Cortright Jr. is a Managing Director in Standard and Poor's Corporate and Government Ratings. As head of the analytical outreach effort for the U.S. Utilities and Infrastructure Ratings Group, he focuses on analysis and communication of ratings on utility credits. He is responsible for maintaining the quality of ratings, meeting with utility management and investors, chairing rating committees and contributing to Standard & Poor's publications.

Kyle W. Danish, member at Van Ness Feldman and coordinator of their Climate Change and Emissions Trading Practice, focuses on energy and environmental matters, emphasizing corporate climate change strategy, regulatory advice and emissions trading-related transactions.

William F. Hederman, Jr., of the RSI/Energy division with the U.S. Congressional Research Service, focuses on developing and implementing FERC compliance programs, energy market, policy and corporate governance and strategy matters.

Maureen O. Helmer, member at Green Seifter Attorneys PLLC, focuses on energy and telecommunications law, corporate and professional ethics, business regulation and the New York Legislature. She is former chair of New York State Public Service Commission and was Chair of the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment.
Full bio and contact info for Maureen O. Helmer at Green Seifter Attorneys PLLC

Patrick J. Hester, Associate General Counsel, Northeast Region for Spectra Energy Corp, 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 U.S. pipelines.

Craig McDonald, Managing Director in the Energy Practice at Navigant Consulting, Inc., focuses on demand side management including commercialization of emerging energy efficiency technologies, sustainability programs and smart grid deployment.

David Mead, Ph.D., is an Economist in the Division of Policy Analysis and Rulemaking within the Office of Energy Market Regulation at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He advises on ISO and RTO market design and helps develop market design issue orders in the three Eastern ISOs.

Judith L. Mondre, President and Founder of Mondre Energy, Inc., focuses on innovative energy management and policymaking, serving government, educational, commercial and industrial organizations.

The Hon. Richard E. Morgan, Commissioner on the District of Columbia Public Service Commission, is leader of NARUC's Task Force on Climate Policy. He is also a member of the Energy Resources and Environmental Committee of NARUC.

Daniel Peaco, President of La Capra Associates, focuses on consulting and expert testimony in power systems planning, procurement, rates and regulatory policy and utility planning practices. He is experienced in regulatory proceedings pertaining to integrated resource planning and previously worked on resource planning with Central Maine Power and Pacific Gas & Electric.

Robert M. Sussman, partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, focuses on environmental, toxic tort and energy issues. He was Chief Operating Officer and Regulatory Policy Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency and listed in Chambers USA and The International Who's Who of Environmental Lawyers.

Jill S. Tietjen, P.E., President and CEO of Technically Speaking, Inc., is a consulting engineer in the electric utility industry performing generation and transmission planning work, an expert witness and listed in Who's Who in Engineering, Who's Who in Science and Engineering and Who's Who in Technology.

Charles W. Whitney, partner at Duane Morris LLP and head of the firm's Nuclear Energy Practice Group, focuses on energy, particularly nuclear energy, regulatory, construction and labor law. He was chief counsel to a nuclear generating plant project. He is listed in Chambers USA and named a "Georgia Super Lawyer".

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