Energy & Climate Change Conference

May 5, 2022

Lewis & Clark Law School

Portland, Oregon

Hybrid event (in-person and remote participation available) bringing together attorneys, scientists, engineers, policymakers, regulators, educators, advocates, students, and more.

REGISTER

Conference Details


Join this half-day event on the beautiful campus of Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. Expert roundtable discussions and an evening reception will provide plenty of opportunities to learn and connect. 

This Conference is a hybrid event, with in-person participation and professionally-managed AV service adding a remote participation option. As ELEC returns to gathering, we are sensitive to concerns about physical distancing, vaccination, COVID, etc. Upon registration, you will receive comprehensive information about the conference and reception space and the expectations of attendees.


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Roundtable Discussions


Speakers will address important and timely issues related to federal, state, and local energy and climate law, and will draw on their experiences including work as senior government officials, think tank researchers, policy analysts, utility company staff, attorney advocates, and academics. 

Moderators

Professor Lisa Benjamin, PhD, Lewis & Clark Law School

Greer Ryan, Oregon Clean Buildings Policy Manager, Climate Solutions 

Sam Baraso, PCEF Program Manager, Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability


Agenda


12:30-1:00pm PT   |   Registration

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1:00-1:05   |   Welcoming Remarks 

Ben Criswell, Conference Coordinator, ELEC; Student, Lewis & Clark Law School 

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1:05-2:25   |   Federal Energy & Climate Policy Updates

Congress and the Biden Administration have made significant progress on a number of key energy, climate, and environmental justice initiatives over the past year. From the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to administrative law efforts, this panel will explore the latest developments in the federal policy sphere. 

Moderator: Professor Lisa Benjamin, PhD, Lewis & Clark Law School

Sara Baldwin, Electrification Policy Director, Energy Innovation

Tony Reames, PhD, Senior Advisor, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy 

Steven Wellner, Director, West Electric Power Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

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2:25-2:40   |   Break

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2:40-4:00   |   State Policy Implementation from Energy Generation to End Use

Oregon has made leaps and bounds on clean energy policy in recent years. This group will discuss state policy development and implementation (including the Oregon Climate Protection Program and HB 2021) as well as the private sector’s progress in building out clean energy infrastructure.

Moderator:  Greer Ryan, Oregon Clean Buildings Policy Manager, Climate Solutions  

Nora Apter, Climate Program Director, Oregon Environmental Council

Matt Tidwell, Environmental Policy Manager, Portland General Electric 

Nicole Hughes, Executive Director, Renewable Northwest

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4:00-4:15   |   Break

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4:15-5:45   |   Local Decarbonization: City and County Policymaking for Building Electrification

This interdisciplinary group has collectively investigated local authority to regulate "natural"/methane gas. They will share their findings, identify potential legal obstacles, and make suggestions to advocates, lawyers, and government officials on regulating gas at the city and county levels. 

Moderator: Sam Baraso, Portland Clean Energy Fund Program Manager, Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability

Amy Schlusser, Staff Attorney, Green Energy Institute, Lewis & Clark Law School

Nick Caleb, Climate and Energy Attorney, Breach Collective

Amy Turner, Senior Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School

Carra Sahler, Staff Attorney, Green Energy Institute, Lewis & Clark Law School

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Catered Reception to Follow 

Pricing & Registration


REGISTRATION CLOSED

In-person participants will have the opportunity to socialize with expert panelists at a catered reception and will also receive conference materials and a recording of the event.


Remote participants will be able to access live, professionally-managed video and audio of the discussions (via Zoom), and will also receive conference materials and a recording of the event.


Student Pricing: All students may attend the Conference remotely for free or in-person for $25. Simply register with your .edu email and use the coupon code "elecstudent2203" at checkout.

Nonprofit / Government Pricing: Members of nonprofit organizations and government employees may attend the conference at half-price by using the coupon code "elec365half" at checkout.

Environmental Law Education Center welcomes all participants and strives to be inclusive by providing scholarships to our events. To request a scholarship or ask questions about student, nonprofit, or government registration, please email info@elecenter.com