Recorded April 12, 2011

90 minutes

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Overview

The electric utility sector is bracing itself for major policy initiatives: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new rules that will have a major impact on the industry: The Maximum Achievable Control Technology for utilities (MACT) rule, mercury, arsenic and certain other emissions standards for coal-fired and oil-fired electric generating units and a rule addressing structures at power plants that draw in water for cooling.

MACT will require a plant-by-plant standard for various hazardous air pollutants and is scheduled to be finalized in November. The Cooling Water Intake Structure standards, or CWIS, are designed to protect fish and other aquatic life and will impact roughly 60% of U.S. nuclear plants and hundreds of coal-fired stations. The so-called Clean Air Mercury Rule will impact around 1,200 coal-fired units and 150 oil-fired units and the national annual cost of complying with the proposed rule is estimated to be $10.9 billion in 2016.

In addition, the EPA proposed the Clean Air Transport Rule in July 2010, which is scheduled to be finalized in June and take effect in 2012. The transport rule applies to large generators in 31 states and the District of Columbia. It replaces the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule and regulates SO₂ and NO_x.

Join a panel of experts for a vital discussion of how these EPA policies may have implications for your short- and long-term generation planning and generation strategy.

Agenda

Learning Objectives

Panelists

John P. Cahill – Counsel, Chadbourne & Park LLP

John Cahill's practice concentrates on energy, environmental and corporate matters. Prior to joining Chadbourne, he served as New York Governor George Pataki's Secretary and Chief of Staff from 2002 through 2006. In May 2005, Mr. Cahill took on the additional role of leading and coordinating the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site and the recovery of Lower Manhattan. From 1995 to 2001, he was the general counsel and then commissioner of the state's Department of Environmental Conservation. Mr. Cahill was also a partner in the law firm of Plunkett & Jaffe, where he focused on environmental and municipal issues.

Dr. Bryan Hannegan – Vice President, Environment and Renewables, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

In his current role, Dr. Hannegan leads the teams responsible for EPRI’s research into technologies and practices that enable cleaner and more efficient renewable power generation options, and reduce the environmental footprint associated with electric power generation, delivery and use. Prior to joining EPRI in September 2006, Hannegan served in a dual capacity as the Chief of Staff for the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and as an acting Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.

Susan F. Tierney – Managing Principal, Analysis Group

Dr. Tierney is an expert on energy policy and economics, specializing in the electric and gas industries. She has consulted to companies, governments, non-profits, and other organizations on energy markets, economic and environmental regulation and strategy, and energy facility projects. Her expert witness, business consulting, and arbitration services have involved industry restructuring, market analyses, regulatory policies for renewables and energy efficiency, transmission planning, siting and cost-allocation, wholesale and retail market design, contract disputes, resource planning, resource procurement analysis, market monitoring, and asset valuations.

In addition, Dr. Tierney’s work has covered regional transmission organizations, siting of generation and transmission facilities and natural gas pipeline projects, natural gas markets, electric system reliability, and environmental policy and regulation. A former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy and state public utility commissioner, she is chairman of the board of the Energy Foundation and a member of the National Commission on Energy Policy and the Secretary of Energy's Advisory Board.

Jennifer Zajac (moderator) Senior Editor, SNL Energy

Jennifer Zajac is the founder and editor of SNL Energy's Renewable Energy Week. She has covered the U.S. utility sector for the past seven years for SNL Energy, with a focus on wind, solar and renewable energy policies. Prior to joining SNL Energy, her experience included reporting for Institutional Investor, Money and Sports Illustrated.

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