Overview

Renewable Energy Seminar & Teleconference Series

Welcome to the monthly Renewable Energy Seminar and Teleconference Series brought to you by the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) in collaboration with the Renewable, Alternative and Distributed Energy Resources Committee of the American Bar Association SEER Section.

These monthly seminars provide an opportunity to network and discuss the subject matter with renewable energy lawyers, federal and state policy makers, and business experts.

The programming is open to ACORE members, ABA members and all those involved in aspects of law, policy, business, or financing in the renewable energy or distributed generation fields.

Our Next Seminar & Teleconference

Offshore Wind: A Soon-to-be-Born U.S. Industry or Cost-Prohibitive Fantasy?

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013

For several years it has seemed that the U.S. offshore wind industry is poised to take-off. But daunting obstacles have stood in the way of expeditiously turning the promising vision of an offshore wind industry into reality. State-level hurdles, such as obtaining approvals from a state public utility commission, can slow the project development process. Financing can be hard to obtain because offshore projects have no U.S.-based historical risk profile, particularly if a utility or the company supplying the turbines for the project is not a co-investor. Public dissent and skepticism about the cost of offshore wind to taxpayers is a new challenge. But proponents and developers of offshore wind power are persevering and advancing their projects. How will these challenges be addressed? Has the time for offshore wind power finally arrived? Our panel of experts will answer this and other questions, as well as provide insight as to when we may realistically see the U.S. offshore wind industry become a reality.

Q & A Submission:
Q & A both on the teleconference and live at the host firm sites, will follow the speakers' presentations. Please email questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Call Times:
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Eastern
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Central
10:00 am - 11:30 am Mountain
9:00 am - 10:30 am Pacific
8:00 am - 9:30 am Alaskan

Teleconference Chairs:
Kimberly E. Diamond, Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Roger D. Stark, Ballard Spahr LLP
Sarah A.W. Fitts, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Legislative Update:
Todd Foley, SVP Policy & Government Relations, ACORE

Moderator:
Kimberly E. Diamond, Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Speakers:
Jim Lanard, President, Offshore Wind Development Coalition
Doug Sims, Energy Project Finance Specialist, NRDC
Paul Zarnowiecki, Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP