Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources

Renewable Energy Resources Committee

2007-2008 Committee Co-Chairs:
Richard Saines
[richard.m.saines@bakernet.com]

Addressing Climate Change Risks

Quick Teleconference
Friday, May 16, 2008
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time / 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Central Time
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Mountain Time / 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Pacific Time

Businesses and other organizations face significant legal and business risks associated with the effects of climate change. This program will address both the business and legal risks that arise because of climate change issues and opportunities and strategies to address those risks. Speakers will address the various legal claims that have been brought regarding climate change issues. (more)

About the Committee

The acceleration of renewable energy development spurred by concerns about energy independence and national security, energy reliability and global warming is being affected by both Federal and State initiatives. The Renewable Energy Resources Committee provides insights into the key legal developments that are shaping the renewable energy, distributed generation and energy efficiency fields.

JOIN the Renewable Energy Resources Committee!
Our Committee's interests span incentives to stimulate development; legal attributes of renewable energy and distributed generation production; techniques for addressing regulatory constraints; synergies with environmental legal requirements; and practical financial structures. The Committee wants to be both a window on developments and to provide opportunities to foster new initiatives.

Our Committee Serves the Needs of:

Energy and Environmental Lawyers
Project and Venture Finance Attorneys
Business in the field
Government Policymakers
Academics and NGO’s
Consultants and engineers

The overriding purposes of the Committee are to examine and disseminate information on those legal policy and practical implementation issues that affect expansion of markets for renewable energy resources and energy efficiency.

We hope you will join the Committee and help us expand our reach and capabilities. We look to you for suggestions as to how we can even more effectively accomplish our goals.

To get involved or share your ideas contact Edna Sussman or Richard Saines

To join the committee contact Bradley J Haight or Robert F. Riley.

Committee Projects for 2007-2008

Best Practices for local governments
Last year the Committee worked on examining and identifying outstanding examples of local legislation, policies, programs and rules that would facilitate the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, biofuels and related clean energy technologies (collectively “renewables”). Many states have already mandated minimum renewable generation requirements and provide economic incentives for renewables. Over 600 mayors have signed onto the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. This work is continuing and is being supplemented by an examination of how local comprehensive plans can be crafted to address energy issues. We envision a user-friendly, web-based resource that state, municipal and county leaders can use to develop strategies to promote renewables, and that provides information about laws and regulations to eliminate barriers to renewables development. It is the Committees’ hope that the development of such a centralized body of the best models will make it easier for local governments all over the country to take action. To get involved in the development of the project contact Edna Sussman, Baird Brown, or Michael Zimmer.

Renewable Energy Credit Contract and Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement
The committee is pleased to announce that it has released a Master Renewable Energy Certificate ( REC) Purchase and Sale Agreement. This Agreement is the product of an ad hoc working group of the Renewable Energy Resources Committee and the Special Committee on Energy and Environmental Finance, the Environmental Markets Association (EMA) and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE). With the growth of the carbon market, the committee has formed a working group to draft a parallel master Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) for verified emission reductions. These projects were initiated as an effort to provide a foundation for the standardization and ultimate harmonization of the various REC and VER trading markets in the U.S. The effort to develop a contract for trading that can be used within and among the various U.S. markets is intended to reduce the transaction costs of REC and VER trading while providing all parties a common framework upon which to transact trades. This effort is seen as one step toward creating a more liquid market for RECs and VERs. By making these contracts available, no legal advice is being offered, and all users are urged to consult with their own legal counsel to ensure that their commercial objectives will be achieved and legal interests protected. To learn more about these projects contact Richard Saines, or Jeremy Weinstein or Roger Feldman.

Monthly Brown Bag/Teleconferences
The committee’s collaboration with the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) on the highly successful series of monthly brownbags/teleconferences launched by the committee three years ago provides a forum for the examination of a host of issues that impact the development of renewables such as renewable energy credits, renewable portfolio standards, transaction finance structures, Federal and State tax policy interplay, wind and solar development, national and state energy policies, green buildings, distributed generation, international perspectives and more. This series which draws a crowd of 300-700 participants monthly at 28 host firms around the country and through teleconferencing capability is of great utility to a broad cross section of market participants including lawyers, government representatives, businessmen, consultants and not-for profit organizations and academics. To learn more about these programs contact Michael Zimmer.

Archives of Multi-Site National Teleconference/Brown Bags Materials

The committee is maintaining a library of the presentation and additional materials which were prepared for the monthly national teleconferences/brown bags. Look for information about such subjects as renewable portfolio standards, incentives and tax credits, distributed generation, renewable energy credits and more.

Access the Archives

Renewable Energy Links Listing

A comprehensive listing of renewable energy links have been added to the Renewable Energy Committee's Web site. These valuable links can assist you in locating incentives, identifying government policies and programs that promote renewables, learning more about specific technologies, and understanding the links between renewable energy and environmental benefits. View them today!