EBA Mid-Year Energy Forum | October 17-18, 2024
Redefining Energy Policy: Regulation, Innovation and Market Dynamics
Jesse Noffsinger (McKinsey & Company)
FERC Commissioner Lindsay S. See
Thank you to the 400+ registrants of our 2024 Mid-Year Energy Forum for making it one to remember! We’d like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors, speakers, and Professional Education Council (PEC), without whom such successful EBA events could not happen.
In Case You Missed It
Platinum Sponsor WEC Energy Group sponsored a Welcome Reception on Wednesday for speakers and EBA leaders to get the chance to mingle and connect before sessions kicked off the following day.
The Forum began on Thursday, October 17 with keynote remarks from Jesse Noffsinger (Partner, McKinsey & Company). Jesse presented on data highlighting the economics of renewables, the dramatic shifts in power demand since COVID years, and the demands from global data centers. A full day and a half of CLE Sessions followed, with topics ranging from landmark administrative law decisions, the natural gas industry, the FERC-State jurisdictional relationship, utility disconnection policy, and more!
FERC Commissioner David Rosner was joined onstage in a conversation with PEC Co-Chairs Tory Lauterbach (Gibson Dunn) and Joe Fagan (Day Pitney). Commissioner Rosner discussed his career path to his current role, and shared how being a former staffer gave him a clear, early perspective on how FERC functions.
On Friday, we were joined by FERC Commissioner Lindsay S. See, who charted her “litigator to regulator” career path spanning from her time as a FERC legal clerk to her career as Solicitor General of West Virginia. She shared her perspective on the important work happening on the local and state levels and the importance of state voices in partnership with federal regulation.
The Forum concluded on Friday with the annual Women in Energy Lunch presented by founding sponsor McGuireWoods. We were thrilled to welcome Janel Burdick, Director, FERC Office of Enforcement as our Women in Energy Lunch featured speaker alongside CFEBA 2024-2025 President Katlyn Farrell (Partner, McGuireWoods).
Congratulations to the 2024 EBA Award Winners!
Rising Star in Energy Award: Given to one or more person(s) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the EBA, CFEBA, and/or FELJ within the first 10 years of their practice as an attorney/energy professional.
- Andrew DeVore (Senior Associate – Energy Regulation, Vinson & Elkins LLP)
- Qingliu (Mary) Yang (FERC Detailee, Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Energy Delivery and Resilience, U.S. Department of Energy)
State/Provincial Regulatory Practitioner Award: Recognizes the impact of EBA members who represent clients before U.S. state or Canadian provincial regulatory agencies and whose advocacy has produced significant results and made substantial contributions to the advancement of energy law.
- Gordon Kaiser (Formerly Mediator & Arbitrator, Energy Law Chambers). **Award accepted posthumously by friend and colleague Anna Fung, EBA Canadian Chapter Secretary
Paul E. Nordstrom Service Award: Honors exemplary long-term service or a particularly significant example of public service by a current or past member to the community through participation in the EBA, CFEBA, or the FELJ.
- Lawrence R. Greenfield (Fmr. Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel’s Energy Markets Division, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
View EBA Award details and past recipients here.
2024 FELJ Administrative Law Judges Reception
Thursday, October 17 | Baker Botts DC Office
Thank you to Baker Botts for hosting this year’s Honorable Chief Judge Curtis L. Wagner, Jr. ALJ Reception!
The reception honors the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Administrative Law Judges and is sponsored by the Foundation of the Energy Law Journal (FELJ). This annual reception is the FELJ’s primary fundraiser for the year and also provides attendees an opportunity to network with other Mid-Year Energy Forum attendees and ALJs in a casual environment after a full day of programs.
FELJ President Paul Breakman (Adtran) provided welcome remarks, thanked sponsors and attendees, and announced that over $60,000 had been raised to support the publication of the Energy Law Journal. Chief Administrative Law Judge Andrew Satten introduced guest of honor Patricia Smith, sharing kind words and memories of Patricia’s longtime career in the OALJ Front Office and her many positive professional relationships with past and present Administrative Law Judges!
