Friday, March 7, 2008
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Central Time
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Mountain Time / 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time

Program Overview:
This program will review and explore the recent oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court on the so-called “Mobile-Sierra” Doctrine. This QT will explore one of the most high-profile energy and environment cases to reach the Supreme Court in recent years. The Court took up the question of whether long-term contracts stemming from the Western Energy Crisis should be held to the stringency “public interest” standard of review or whether buyers were entitled to relief if they could show that the contracts were not just and reasonable. More generally, this case will tell us a great deal about how safe private contracts are from future changes when entered into in a regulated environment. The panelists are not just idle observers, but rather are active litigants in the case and provide views on the arguments from the vantage point of the front lines. This QT will examine these and other questions:

• Based on the oral argument, how is the Court likely to rule on this case?
• What is the political dynamic at FERC now on Mobile-Sierra issues?
• How will access to capital be impacted by a ruling against sellers under these agreements?
• Will this scare off much-needed investors in renewable power projects?

Educational Objectives:

• Discussion of oral argument by those directly involved to provide insights that are not otherwise available from trade press or other media.
• Address importance of case and ramifications of different potential results.
• Explore relationship between Mobile-Sierra doctrine and the use of long-term power contracts as a means of financing renewable power projects.

Faculty:
Moderator:
Christopher Jones, Troutman Sanders LLP, Washington, DC

Panelists:
Randolph Lee Elliott, Miller, Balis & O’Neil, Washington DC (counsel for Respondent)
Keith McCrea, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP, Washington, DC (counsel for Petitioner)
Dan Larcamp, Troutman Sanders LLP, Washington, DC (former Chief of Staff, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

This program will not offer CLE credit.

There are two ways to participate in this program either attending a host site location or individual dial-in:

HOST SITE LOCATION
Participation at a host site location is free of charge; however, reservations are required.

Washington, DC
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP
1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
RSVP: Dena Wiggins, (202) 383-0499 or dena.wiggins@sablaw.com

ConferTel Teleconference (Individual dial-in):
If you wish to participate by telephone please register online.

Online registration is encouraged for immediate confirmation and billing receipt. You may also complete this form and fax it to (760) 931-0079. Once your registration and payment have been processed, you will receive a confirmation with the toll-free telephone number and security PIN number.

The registration fee covers the cost of the phone connection; you are encouraged to have others listen to the program with you. Registration cannot be confirmed until ConferTel receives check or Purchase Order.

*The Section has secured ConferTel to provide conferencing services, including registration, conferencing and payment. Please make checks payable to ConferTel. Questions regarding the teleconference can be directed to ConferTel at (866) 930-4500.

Registration Fee:
Registrations cannot be confirmed until ConferTel receives check or Purchase Order.
Section Members: $80 | Gov't, Academic, or Public Interest: $80 | Other ABA Members: $100 | General Attendance: $110

Cancellation Policy:
Paid registrants who are unable to call in to the conference may request a refund less a $30 administrative fee. Substitutions are acceptable.

Late Registration Notice:
Please register early, we cannot guarantee late registrations (day of event).

Law Students:
Complimentary registrations are available for law student groups and environmental law societies. Please contact Ninah Moore at (312) 988-5724 to secure your registration.

Do you have a question that you would like the panel to address? Please email your question to Christopher Jones at chris.jones@troutmansanders.com by Thursday, March 6, 2008 at noon Eastern Time and the panel will make every effort to address your inquiry.

Global Climate Change
and U.S. Law