07.17.06
Meeting Minutes - June 28, 2006
Michael Stosser, new Chair of the Committee, led the call. Introductions by Mike, Vice-Chairs Monica Schwebs and Bill Westerfield, and Lynn Fountain.
Edna Sussman, Chair of the ABA Renewables Committee, spoke on the ABA Renewables Committee’s brown bag luncheons. Edna encouraged our committee to follow their practice of using host locations and call-in service. Edna estimated that her committee has 250 – 600 attendees per call, half of which are probably government officials. For more information go to Renewableenergyinfo.com. Gearold Knowles complimented Edna on the ABA practice of making materials available in advance of teleconferences. Edna recommended that our Committee teleconference speakers prepare power point presentations and a reading list for each program.
Mike Zimmer suggested that our Committee programs avoid overlapping with the ABA Renewables Committee. He recommended obtaining speakers from FERC, Congress and other public agencies. Monica then recommended inviting new FERC Commissioner Wellinghoff, on the topics of transmission and distributed generation. Jeff Dennis of FERC offered to help get Commissioner Wellinghoff. Jeff, Monica and Gearold will spearhead the effort to organize that program.
Lynn informed the Committee about our new weblog or blog. She followed-up our conference call by emailing members a link to the new website, as well as the necessary ID and password to post messages. No log-in is needed to read postings. Members will have access to the web-site. The Committee is seeking postings, such as papers, news and links to valuable websites. Mike pointed out that we want to hear what people are working on. It would also be a way to suggest speakers and Energy Law Journal articles. Lynn will manage the blog.
Mike said that it’s important for our Committee to increase its visibility. He suggested a report in the Energy Bar Journal and a panel at the next EBA meeting. He asked for a concept or topic for that panel. Todd Glass observed that venture capitalists are “throwing money” at renewable energy, and that this is a good time to talk about financing. Mike agreed. He suggested that a discussion of financing should focus on what to do to get money; how to package new projects; not just how to get public incentives but how to obtain private financing. He added that there continues to be serious concerns about technical and environmental issues concerning renewables.
Bob Webb spoke about biofuels and biodiesel. He promised to give us the latest information from Texas via the blog. Mike Schnell talked about financing of biofuels. Don McCauley said he puts together an annual report to the ABA and offered to do one for our Committee. The ABA did its last brown bag teleconference on biofuels in September 2005. Roger Feldman is heading the ABA Committee on Renewable Finance. Todd will spearhead an effort to organize a biofuels brownbag program for the Committee.
Gunnar Birgisson is chair of the EBA committee on environment. Mike asked that we try to work with him on issues such as climate change and biofuels.
Mike raised the matter of frequency of Committee calls. Carolyn said she would like to have us meet monthly. Bill agreed that we should start with monthly calls in order to create some momentum. Mike said he would try to do monthly calls. He will also update the Committee email list. Mike also said that we should try to hold brownbag teleconferences quarterly.
Minutes by Bill Westerfield