Greening the Grid: Building a Legal Framework for Carbon Neutrality

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Thursday and Friday, April 23-24, 2009
Lewis & Clark College
Council Chamber, Templeton Student Center
0615 SW Palatine Hill Rd.
Portland, Oregon
12.5 G MCLE Credits in Oregon

ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Development of renewable energy sources has become one of the major political and legal issues of our time. Due to concerns related to climate change, energy independence, and escalating fuel and electricity prices, many policymakers, environmental advocates, and entrepreneurs have called for the United States to adopt a new national energy policy that promotes use of renewable energy sources. However, others argue that renewable energy sources will never adequately meet the country’s escalating energy needs. This conference will explore the ongoing debate regarding the U.S. energy policies and consider how the country may revise its energy system to promote sustainable energy sources.

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, APRIL 23
On day one, the conference will look at the broader issues surrounding renewable energy development and explore how and whether electricity sector regulation and restructuring will accommodate new renewable energy sources. Day one will conclude with a moderated discussion regarding “clean coal.”

8:30 a.m. - LATE REGISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS

9:00 - 9:15 - Welcome and Introduction

9:15 - 9:45 - Greening the Grid: An Idea Whose Time Has Finally Arrived?
– Melissa Powers, Assistant Professor of Law, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR

9:45 - 10:00 - Break

10:00 - 12:15 - The Federal and State Regulatory Landscape: How Laws Promote and Impede Renewable Energy Development
Moderator: Melissa Powers, Assistant Professor of Law, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR
– Joshua Fershee, Assistant Professor of Law, University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, ND
– Alice Kaswan, Professor of Law, University of San Francisco School of Law, San Francisco, CA
– Irma S. Russell, NELPI Professor of Law, National Energy-Environment Law & Policy Institute, University of Tulsa College of Law, Tulsa, OK

12:15 - 1:30 - Lunch (included with registration)

1:30 - 3:00 - Restructuring the Grid to Promote Renewable Energy Development
Moderator: William Funk, Jeffrey Bain Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR
– Steven Ferrey, Professor of Law, Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA – Jim Rossi, Harry M. Walborsky Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, FL
– Joseph P. Tomain, Dean Emeritus and Ziegler Professor, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cincinnati, OH

3:00 - 3:15 - Break

3:15 - 4:45 - “Clean Coal”
Moderator: Janice Weis, Associate Dean and Director, Environmental &
Natural Resources Law Program, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR
– Bruce Nilles, Director, Beyond Coal Campaign, Sierra Club, Washington, D.C.

4:45 - Adjourn


FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Day two will focus on other energy sources a greener grid might employ. Through moderated discussions, the conference will explore the benefits and risks of using wind, solar, hydropower, wave energy, and nuclear energy. A concluding roundtable of conference panelists and participants will discuss whether and how to build a legal framework to support the role of renewable energy in the U.S. electricity sector.

8:30 - 9:30 - Hydro
Moderator: Dan Rohlf, Professor of Law/Director, Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR
– Daniel M. Adamson, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Washington, D.C.
– Nicole Cordan, Policy and Legal Director, Save Our Wild Salmon, Portland, OR
– Richard Roos-Collins, Director of Legal Services, Natural Heritage Institute, San Francisco, CA

9:30 - 10:30 - Ocean Wave
Moderator: Jack Sterne, Principal, Rising Tide Strategies, Bend, OR
– Thomas C. Jensen, Partner, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, Washington, D.C.
– Chad Nelsen, Environmental Director, Surfrider Foundation, San Clemente, CA
– Rachael E. Salcido, Associate Professor of Law, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, CA

10:30 - 10:45 - Break

10:45 - 11:45 - Solar
Moderator: Allison LaPlante, Staff Attorney/Clinical Professor, PEAC, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR
– Doug Boleyn, President, Cascade Solar Consulting, Gladstone, OR
– Todd G. Glass, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Seattle, WA
– Steven Weissman, Lecturer in Residence, Berkeley Law, Associate Director, California Center for Environmental Law & Policy, Berkeley, CA

11:45 - 1:00 - Lunch (included with registration)

1:00 - 2:00 - Wind
Moderator: Lin Harmon, Director, International LL.M. & Visitor Programs/Associate Director, Environmental & Natural Resources Law Program, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR
– David H. Becker, Staff Attorney, Oregon Natural Desert Association, Portland, OR
– Kristen M. Fletcher, Executive Director, Coastal States Organization, Washington, D.C.
– William H. Holmes, Member, Stoel Rives LLP, Portland, OR

2:00 - 2:15 - Break

2:15 - 3:15 - Nuclear
Moderator: Craig Johnston, Professor of Law, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR
– Chuck D. Barlow, Assistant General Counsel – Environmental, Entergy Services, Inc., Jackson, MS
– Michael A. Mullett, Senior Counsel, Mullett & Associates, Columbus, IN
– Tyson R. Smith, Associate, Winston & Strawn LLP, San Francisco, CA

3:15 - 4:00 - Wrap-Up Roundtable with Conference Speakers
Moderator: Melissa Powers, Assistant Professor of Law, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR

4:00 - Adjourn

Tuition

(Tuition includes conference materials, refreshments, and two lunches.)