Join the Texas Chapter for their Annual Symposium. Topics addressed during this program include Hydrogen Development in Texas, Liquids, Construction, Electricity, and Texas Natural Gas Outlook. We will also kick off the program with keynote remarks and offer a fireside chat during lunch.

8:45 – 9:00 AM: Welcome

9:00 – 9:30 AM: Keynote Remarks

9:30 – 10:30 AM: Hydrogen Development in Texas

With more than 1,000 miles of dedicated hydrogen pipelines, 48 hydrogen production plants and dozens of hydrogen end-use applications, the Gulf Coast is poised to become the heart of hydrogen infrastructure and use in the United States. This panel, led by experts in the field, will discuss DOE’s investments in the region, the emerging regulatory framework for hydrogen pipelines, and the jurisdictional role of the Texas Railroad Commission.

10:30 – 10:45 AM: Break

10:45 – 11:45 AM: Liquids Panel

This panel will discuss the most recent Five-Year Review of the Oil Pipeline Index at FERC and the recent decision at the DC Circuit vacating FERC’s rehearing order on the matter.  The panel will provide background on the FERC Index for Oil Pipelines and the purpose of the Five-Year Review.  Then the panel will go through the events where FERC changed it’s ruling on the Five-Year Review via a rehearing process without additional notice or comment.  Carriers appealed the decision to the DC Circuit and in July 2024, the DC Circuit vacated the FERC order on rehearing and reinstated the original FERC order. 

11:45 AM – 1:15 PM: Luncheon with Keynote Fireside Chat

1:15 – 2:15 PM: Construction Panel

This panel will open with discussions of current challenges facing construction of energy projects—from the perspectives of in-house counsels who are managing both pipeline and renewable construction matters.  The panel then will explore how the terms and conditions of construction contracts are evolving in response to project delays, cost uncertainty, and increased risk of claims.  Topics will include the enumerated adjustment clauses, pricing true-ups, formulaic fee commercial structures, and better systems for claims mitigation. 

2:15 – 2:30 PM: Break

2:30 – 3:30 PM: Electricity Panel

What’s going on in the Texas electricity markets?  Lots! – Strong load growth including crypto-mining, changing ERCOT market design such as the new ERCOT Contingency Reserve Service and possible new ones like a Performance Credit Mechanism, the implementation of the Texas Energy Fund to facilitate financing of new natural gas fired dispatchable generation, the significant increase in the use of distributed energy resources on the distribution portion of the grid and potential regulatory changes to deal with that, etc.  The panel includes industry leaders who will provide a high level overview and insights into the many ongoing developments in the Texas power market.

3:30 – 3:45 PM: Break

3:45 – 4:45 PM: Texas Natural Gas Outlook

This panel will explore the current state and future prospects of the Texas natural gas value chain, from production to exports. In 2023, mergers and acquisitions in the Permian Basin surpassed $100 million, marking the highest transaction activity since 2019, and both the Permian and Eagle Ford regions achieved record gas production levels. However, negative spot prices have underscored the urgent need for increased takeaway capacity. Several pipeline projects are in progress to better connect these basins to industrial centers and export facilities. The EIA forecasts North American LNG export capacity to double by 2027, with a significant portion of this capacity situated along the Gulf Coast. Positive factors include the progress of the “Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024,” while challenges include the Administration’s appeal against a ruling that halts its temporary moratorium on new LNG export licenses and increased international attention on lifecycle GHG emissions.

4:45 – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks

Texas gold sponsors

Texas bronze sponsors (2)

CLE:
This program is eligible for 5 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states and 6 hours of CLE credit in 50-minute states. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.

To Receive CLE Credit:

If you have met the participation requirements, you will receive a personalized CLE affidavit from mcle-eba@americanbar.org for the program at which you attended at least one session to completion. Please check your spam or junk folders as these emails often end up there. Please note you will fill out one affidavit for the full event. Once you complete the affidavit, you will be able to download your certificate(s) of attendance and they will be emailed to you as well from mcle-eba@americanbar.org. EBA is applying for CLE credit in Texas and Virginia for this event.

Scholarships:

EBA offers eligible student, government, and academic members discounts on the rates for most EBA programs which carry CLE credits, including EBA’s Annual and Mid-Year Meetings. EBA will, on a case-by-case basis, consider requests from members to attend EBA programs at a discounted rate. Discount requests must be made to EBA’s office at least fifteen days prior to the close of regular registration for the program in question. Requests will be considered by EBA if timely and complete. Discount requests must demonstrate a substantial financial hardship. Please submit your requests to jhannan@eba-net.org.