Join the Southern Chapter in Richmond, or virtually, for their 2025 Annual Meeting! Topics include the first commercial fusion plant, advanced nuclear, and the interplay of utilities and data centers. *In-Person registration for this event is now closed.

9:15 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:20 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – The First Commercial Fusion Plant

In December 2024, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (“CFS”) announced that it planned to build the world’s first grid-scale commercial fusion power plant in Chesterfield, VA.  Nuclear fusion is a potentially game-changing technological innovation, but some incorrectly associate this technology with well-known drawbacks of traditional nuclear fission.  Ms. Kristen Cullen, Vice President of Global Policy and Public Affairs at CFS, will introduce this new technology and explain its distinct characteristics.

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Keynote Address

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Emergency Communications

Reliable Emergency Communications: Best Practices for Communication and Coordination of Emergency Response During Natural Disasters.  In the midst of hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme weather, reliable emergency communications is critical.  This session will highlight the need for precision collaboration between government officials, utilities, and telecommunications companies during natural disasters. The panelists will explore best practices for communication during emergencies, to, when possible, keep services intact, as well as collaboration between these entities during those emergencies where service outages have occurred.

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Advanced Nuclear – State of the States

Nuclear of the future with small modular reactors and advancements. States are leading the way in exploring policies and regulations that support advanced nuclear in order to meet growing energy demand while also addressing climate, energy reliability, economic and national security goals.  This session will highlight the latest advanced reactor technologies, examine recent state actions, and discuss the biggest challenges facing new reactor deployment.

12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Lunch

1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Interplay Between Utilities and Data Centers: Innovative Solutions to Meet Load Growth

Data centers, utilities, and technology.  This session will highlight the latest on what is driving data centers, how data centers and utilities are interacting, and how tech companies are involved.  The Panelists will examine recent data center state actions and policy, as well as discuss how the regulatory framework should evolve to factor in the ever-growing load requirements for data centers while attaining and maintaining consumer protections.

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. – Ethical Considerations in Regulatory Law

Conference Attendees will learn about ethical issues facing Regulatory Commissioners, Employees of Regulatory Commissions, and Practitioners who appear before them. The program will focus on limitations upon ex parte communications, transparency of the process, receipt of gifts and limitations upon employment after service with a Commission.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

hosts

SEBA 25 gold Sponsors (2)

SEBA 25 Silver Sponsors (1)

SEBA 25 Bronze Sponsors

CLE Statement:
This program is eligible for 4.25 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states, and 5.1 hours of CLE credit for 50-minute states.  Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.
EBA Applied for in-person CLE Credit in: VA, FL, and GA
EBA Applied for virtual CLE Credit in: VA, GA

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 Colorado 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.

Hotel Information:

EBA does not have a room block for this event. Please see nearby hotel information:

1. Courtyard Richmond Downtown
   1320 East Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219
2. Omni Richmond
   100 South 12th St., Richmond, VA 23219
3. Residence Inn Richmond Downtown
   1320 E Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219
4. The Berkeley Hotel
   1200 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23219