Join EBA’s Texas Chapter for their 2023 Annual Symposium in Houston, TX! This event features a luncheon fireside chat with Former FERC Commissioner Bernard McNamee, and expert-led panels featuring topics such as: Carbon Capture, Gas-Electric Coordination, Midstream/LNG, and FERC Enforcement.

Thank you to our Symposium hosts:

9:00 – 10:00 AM: Breakfast and Registration

10:00 – 10:05 AM: Welcome from EBA Texas Chapter President

10:05 – 10:30 AM: The New Energy Landscape

10:30 – 11:30 AM: Electricity & Battery Storage Technologies

As the energy transition unfolds and new technologies emerge, battery storage systems are stepping into new and bigger roles in the power grid. From utility-scale systems to smaller individual systems behind the meter, batteries have the potential to help solve a number of problems facing the grid.  But they create new challenges as well. This panel will discuss battery storage technologies and explore recent developments in battery storage systems and policies, their effects on the grid, and opportunities for the future. Access Speaker Bios

11:30 – 11:45 AM: Break

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM: Lunch and Fireside Chat with Former FERC Commissioner Bernard McNamee

Join former FERC Commissioner Bernard L. McNamee for a fireside chat during lunch.  Moderated by Mr. Charlie Ofner, partner at White & Case, this discussion will revolve around how the US energy system is adjusting to a new environment, and what changes may be just over the horizon.  This session will explore a wide range of trends and topics in energy law and regulation, including grid functionality and reliability, permitting and interconnection reform, FERC’s role in responding to current and future energy infrastructure and market developments, and much more. Access Speaker Bios

1:00 – 1:15 PM: Break

1:15 – 2:15 PM: Energy Transition in Focus: Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage

Carbon capture, utilization and storage, or CCUS, has the potential to both transform the oil and gas industry and contribute to substantial reductions in global CO2 emissions. As a result of this potential, companies and investors continue to ramp up investments in CCUS projects and technologies. Despite the billions of dollars that are beginning to be invested here, the CCUS space is still in many ways a nascent industry, with potentially major benefits for those willing to take bold risks. This panel will provide a deep dive into the key legal and financial considerations that companies and investors alike should consider when developing their own carbon capture playbooks to navigate the emerging CCUS landscape. Access Speaker Bios

2:15 – 2:30 PM: Break

2:30 – 3:30 PM: Low Carbon Adventures in the Midstream Sector

The midstream sector in Texas continues to grow and develop to meet the demand for domestically produced energy while at the same time adapting to meet the customers’ and shareholders’ demand for lower carbon options.  This demand, and the availability of tax and other incentives, are behind some of the growth in traditional infrastructure (with or without carbon capture and sequestration), as well as the development of certified natural gas, sustainable aviation fuel, and other low-carbon and net zero products in the state. This panel will discuss recent forces behind midstream activity in Texas, with a focus on these and other innovative solutions that the midstream sector is investing in to lower its own carbon intensity and meet the demand for lower carbon energy more broadly. Access Speaker Bios

3:30 – 3:45 PM: Break

3:45 – 4:45 PM: Staying out of FERC Jail

The panel will provide a brief overview of current FERC enforcement trends and settlements, as well as select federal court cases that have and will directly and indirectly affect the FERC enforcement process.  The panel will then explore how FERC’s Division of Analytics and Surveillance monitors for and assesses potential violations, and best compliance practices to stay ahead of the curve. Access Speaker Bios

Closing remarks

5:15 PM – 7:30 PM – Reception at Cellar 7

All symposium attendees are invited to a reception nearby at Cellar 7. This reception is made possible by Vinson & Elkins LLP.

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.