Presenters: Britt Freund, Steptoe & Johnson; Jerrod Freund, Javelin Global Commodities; Richard Serio, Corporate Fuel

Financing mineral development projects in the face of low commodity prices and climate change pressures requires innovative approaches. Similarly, financing renewable projects during an economic downturn with reduced electricity consumption and regulatory uncertainty presents new challenges. This presentation will examine alternatives to reserved-based lending for shale development and other similar strategies for coal, hard rock, and renewables, as well as highlighting legal issues to be aware of during the deal.

Presenters: Ben Clapp, Julie Domike, and Kevin Garber, Babst Calland

Increased public concern about addressing climate change has resulted in a building momentum of political and public pressure to transition to a low-carbon economy. This pressure has spurred novel litigation theories, far-reaching legislative proposals, shareholder activism, corporate climate change policies and other business responses. This program will address:
o Some of the sources of this this pressure – lenders, investors, insurers
o Key U.S. legal decisions and ongoing litigation related to climate change
o Prominent federal and state legislation (including recent developments the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the northeast states),
o How corporations in the energy industry are reacting - corporate sustainability announcements and goals, SEC filings, restructuring and divestitures

Presenters: Roger Hanshaw, Bowles Rice

Deciding where to site a renewable or alternative energy project can be among the most critical choices made by a developer. Siting considerations can be influenced by federal, state, and even local legal requirements. This presentation will survey the patchwork of siting considerations that confront a developer of renewable or alternative energy projects and discuss frequent legal and regulatory challenges that a developer of these projects must face.