Sturm College of Law News
Renewable Energy: Legal Challenges and Solutions For the Green Economy Webinar
November 10, 2009
Renewable Energy: Legal Challenges and Solutions For the Green Economy
A webinar sponsored by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Environmental Law
Cosponsored by the
- ABA Section of Business Law
- ABA Section of Utility, Communications & Transportation Law
- ABA Section of Real Property, Trust & Estate Law
Hosted by the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Denver, Colorado
November 20, 2009
10:00 am – 12:00 Noon (Mountain time)
Over the past decade, a growing number of states have promoted the development of renewable energy. More than half have adopted renewable portfolio standards. The federal government also has promulgated policies and adopted measures to promote investments in renewable energy, including through tax policy, federal energy grants, and regulation of interstate transmission of electricity.
Especially in the wake of the 2008 spike in global oil prices, followed by the devastating effects of the recession on the U.S. economy, congressional leaders and the Obama Administration believe that expanding renewable energy investments can create needed jobs, help end America’s dependence on foreign oil, and combat the effects of global warming. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law in February 2009, provides over $60 billion for renewable energy initiatives and “green” jobs. In addition, among energy and climate change-related bills, Congress has begun considering legislation intended to expand clean energy programs, adopt national renewable energy standards, and tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
This webinar features experts from federal and state government and the private sector at the center of the national debate on renewable energy. The discussions are intended to stimulate broad-based dialogue about the unprecedented opportunities for development of the emerging “green” economy and the legal challenges that our nation must both anticipate and overcome in this process. They also will serve as the foundation for a White paper containing recommendations for further action that can be advanced by stakeholders at all levels, including the American Bar Association.
10:00 am – Program Goals and Speaker Introductions
Howard Kenison, Lindquist Vennum P.L.L.P., Denver, CO
Federico Cheever, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, Denver, CO
10:20 am – Keynote Speaker
Matt Futch, Utilities Program Manager, Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), State of Colorado, Denver, CO
Facilitating Renewable Energy – A Colorado State Perspective
10:45 am – Renewable Energy Technologies: Legal Issues
Moderators:
Federico Cheever, Denver, CO
Howard Kenison, Denver, CO
Speakers:
David Hurlbut, Senior Analyst, Market & Policy Impact Analysis Group, Strategic Energy Analysis Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO
John A. Herrick, Senior Counsel, Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck, Denver, CO
Frank Prager, Vice President for Environmental Policy, Xcel Energy Inc., Denver, CO
Is renewable technology advancement outstripping the regulatory regime? The speakers will address the significant advancements in commercially viable renewable technologies with a constructive and discerning eye on current regulatory challenges. Our panelists also examine concrete policies and measures that can be adopted in the near term to facilitate deployment of promising alternative energy technologies. Speakers representing state government and the private sector will delineate challenges and opportunities driven by market demand and by President Obama’s renewable energy mandate.
11:45 pm – Question and Answer Session
12:00 Noon – Webinar Concludes