American Bar Association Energy and Resources Committees

Energy and Environmental Markets and Finance Committee

2010-2011 Committee Co-Chairs:

C. Baird Brown, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Philadelphia, PA
Michael J. Zimmer, Thompson Hine LLP, Washington, DC

Wave Energy in the U.S. Today: How Technology, Academia, Regulations, and Policies are Shaping the Industry

Quick Teleconference
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Eastern Time / 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Central Time
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Mountain Time / 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time

This Quick Teleconference will provide a general overview of the wave energy industry and will appeal to anyone who has an interest in learning more about issues impacting domestic wave energy development. The experts on this panel will address the intersection of technology, academia, and permitting, regulatory, policy, and legal issues involving the Department of Energy (“DOE”) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (“BOEMRE”), as well as unique challenges facing the wave industry. (more)

About Committee

Historically, the worlds of lawyers working in environmental compliance/litigation, energy transactions, energy trading and project finance have existed separately – each within its own field of operation and expertise. With the emergence of climate change concerns, carbon regulation, and the drive for energy independence, the separation no longer holds. The fields of energy transactions and trading, finance and environmental compliance are converging at a rapid pace. This committee seeks to provide services to the members of the American Bar Association at the critical intersection of these disciplines.

Committee Resources

	Global Climate Change and U.S. Law Global Climate Change and U.S. Law provides comprehensive coverage of the country's law as it relates to global climate change. After a summary of the factual and scientific background, Part I outlines the international and national legal framework of climate change regulation and associated litigation. Part II describes emerging regional, state and local actions, and includes a 50-state survey. Part III covers issues of concern to corporations, including disclosure, fiduciary duties, insurance, and subsidies. Part IV examines the legal aspects of efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, such as voluntary efforts, emissions trading, and carbon sequestration.

	The Clean Air Act Handbook, Second Edition The updated and expanded edition of The Clean Air Act Handbook is a current guide to one of the most complicated and extensive pieces of environmental legislation ever written. This thoughtful, well-written analysis of the Clean Air Act is comprehensive in scope, providing detailed coverage not only of the statute, but also a careful examination of the EPA's implementing regulations and policy guidance.

	Basic Practice Series: Clean Air Act This book provides a history and overview of the Clean Air Act and its implementing regulations, including: National Ambient Air Quality Standards; The standards and review process applicable to new, modified, and reconstructed stationary sources; Air toxics program requirements; Acid rain control program; The Title V operating permit program; Mobile source air pollution control requirements; and Enforcement and judicial review.

	Basic Practice Series: FERC FERC regulates discrete components of the natural gas, electric utility, hydroelectric, and oil pipeline industries. Together these industries comprise a substantial portion of the economy and infrastructure of the United States. Not a mere spectator or passive referee in the industries it regulates, FERC initiates much of what is colloquially called "deregulation" or, more accurately, "restructuring." FERC's restructuring of the natural gas industry, for example, made pipelines into common carriers, providing open access transportation mostly to third parties. Almost all natural gas is now sold by unregulated or lightly regulated third parties who use pipelines to ship their gas to buyers. Similarly, FERC's restructuring of the electric utility industry sought first to require utilities to provide open access transmission of electricity and now seeks to establish Regional Transmission Organizations.