Energy Law is Changing

We are witnessing a revolution in the energy industry. We are also experiencing energy reform that is guaranteed to alter the way we conduct business. Increased competition, fueled by technological advances, innovative rules and policies developed by federal and state regulation, and the global economy are some of the key drivers for change. As a result, the energy industry is being redefined. The energy law field will be involved with more mergers and consolidations as well as dissaggregation, and as a result see new opportunities and challenges at all levels of the unbundled energy chain.

Energy law will also have to deal with emerging technologies that will involve more internet-based businesses and services and use new, faster technology-based research methods and decision-making tools.

The Association is Changing to Keep Pace with the Times
our new name reflects an ongoing transformation of the Association’s vision and values which has evolved over time. The transformation reflects the Energy Bar Association’s ongoing commitment to preeminence in serving the changing needs of energy attorneys.

This change in the Association’s name, vision and values did not happen overnight. This was a process that involved many months of planning, researching and exploring how best to serve our members.

Our new name demonstrates that we not only serve attorneys in the federal arena but also have members active in all areas of the of energy law. The new name also demonstrates that we are an accessible organization for all attorneys in the energy industry, and law students interested in learning more about the business.

The Process

Recognition of the dramatic shifts in economic, political and regulatory forces, accompanied by formidable technological progress, and their impact on the changing roles of the energy industry encouraged the Association to initiate a comprehensive strategic planning effort to reassess its role in the changing energy industry.

From September 1998 through March 1999, a FEBA Ad Hoc Committee conducted interviews of members, lapsed members, prospective members, committee chairs, and staff. To supplement this information, baseline membership, fiscal data and the leadership’s own extensive knowledge of FEBA and of energy law was also explored. The need to focus on programs and services that will be valued by current and future members informed the entire planning process.

The energy industry is changing and to better serve its members, the Association developed a strategic plan in which it reassessed its vision and values and stated its vision for the future. The plan, entitled “Building on Our Success – Strategic Plan 2000,” responds to the needs of current and potential members and is flexible enough to deal with emerging situations. This Strategic Plan is a three-year plan and is a continual work in progress.

The FEBA Ad Hoc Committee who helped shape and develop the strategic plan included:
Miriam Swydan Erickson, Robert S. Fleishman, M. Frazier King, Jr., Daniel L. Larcamp, Jeffrey A. Gollomp, William A. Mogel
Charles D. Gray, Carol A. Smoots, Sheila S. Hollis, Jennifer N. Waters, John E. Holtzinger, Jr., Joel F. Zipp,
David M. Hunter