From:    ednasussman at optonline.net
Subject: US policy on climate change program November 13-14
Date: October 3, 2008
As we approach a new administration in the U.S., a review of U.S. policy and where it is going by those who have been close to the debate should be of interest. Details below:

ENERGY BAR ASSOCIATION
FALL 2008 MEETING

NOVEMBER 13-14, 2008
Capitol Hilton, Washington, D.C.

Shaping Our Energy Future in the Era of Rising Global Energy Consumption, Carbon Emissions and Prices.

The Energy Bar Association’s Mid-Year Meeting promises to be a leading conference on Global Warming and United States energy policy. The day-and-a-half conference is packed with content from leading authorities who will provide advice to the new administration and explore complex issues impacting all aspects of the energy industry and regulation.

On November 13, the opening keynote, first plenary panel and luncheon keynote will cover The Challenges of Global Warming and Energy Supply Security — the Backdrop, the Debate and Advice to the New Administration and Cap and Trade Regulation versus Carbon Taxes – the Pros and Cons and feature the following speakers:
Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, an attorney at Covington, was the lead U.S. negotiator of Kyoto during the Clinton Administration;

Dr. William D. Nordhaus, Sterling Professor of Economics, Yale university, is an authority on the economics of climate change policy, including carbon taxes and cap and trade policy;

Tim Profeta, Director of the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke, was Counsel for the Environment to Senator Joseph Lieberman and a principal architect of the Lieberman-McCain Climate Stewardship Act of 2003;

Peter Backlund, the Director of Research at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, worked in the Executive Office of the President and at NASA on climate change science and related fields;

Rafe Pomerance, the President of Clean Air Cool Planet, was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Environment and Development and has held several key positions on environmental policy; and

The Honorable Suedeen Kelly, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with a distinguished career in public service and private practice, who will moderate the first panel.

The United States faces significant and ongoing energy challenges as evidenced by this year’s experience of oil prices passing $140 per barrel and gasoline at the pump exceeding $4 per gallon. Coal use for power generation will likely be restricted or made much more expensive by impending legislation to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.  Increasing energy consumption and GHG emissions in developing countries suggest rapidly evolving economic, supply security, environmental and public health implications for the globe. The new U.S. administration will face daunting issues on a global stage. Its reaction or leadership on these issues will affect the way the U.S. energy industry develops in coming years and the way the federal government and states regulate energy companies. Shaping Our Energy Future in the Era of Rising Global Energy Consumption, Carbon Emissions and Prices will explore our energy future in this environment.

Global warming is one of the most challenging issues for the new administration. The time to understand and inform the debate is now. Learn the state of the science of global warming and its potential consequences. Understand the international efforts to curb green house gas (GHG) emissions – Kyoto, the Bali Road Map and the next chapter. Hear a healthy debate and advice for the new administration as President McCain or President Obama moves the country forward on a global stage.

Change is coming and will affect the US energy sector for years to come. Domestically, should the Federal government pass cap and trade, support R&D and deployment of new nuclear, carbon capture and renewable technologies? Can we drill our way out of the crisis? How much can we achieve through energy efficiency? What are the ramifications of US energy/GHG policy? Will the policies succeed without state support? Hear a panel of experts illuminate and offer vision for the new administration and our industry in tackling one of the world’s greatest challenges.

In other sessions, leading experts and policymakers will address:
Changes in the role of natural gas and its regulation associated with GHG constraints;

Shifting priorities in electric transmission regulation and getting renewable energy to market
Carbon Capture and Sequestration – its promise and the legal/regulatory path to deliver;

Changing federal-state regulatory and electric market response to the challenges of global warming and the need for more than federal legislation to make it work;

Carbon trading and impacts on energy markets;

Ethics issues associated with ADR;

A multi-agency examination of energy market investigations;

The shifting tides of the Mobile-Sierra Doctrine; and
Practice/skills development.

The full conference program is available at www.eba-net.org . Reserve your room at the Capitol Hilton (16th and K St.) at the discounted EBA conference rate before October 15.