Join leading experts, scientists, financiers, attorneys, executives, legislators, and advisors to the energy and utility sectors at the 2008 Carbon and Climate Change program.
This new major program covers carbon and climate change issues, with a special focus on the geology, science, economics and law applicable to carbon capture, transport, and storage, including EOR applications. The program also includes special sessions on carbon markets, pending laws, incentives, and regulation (both Texas and Federal), and the latest EPA, DOE and FTC initiatives dealing with carbon regulation and "green" marketing.
If you are a corporate planner, environmental attorney, corporate counsel, engineer, or attorney-advisor for energy, utility, or environmental interests — don't miss this unique opportunity to network with key market participants, legislators and regulatory officials.
Wednesday Opening Network Reception-Hilton Austin Hotel
Great city views, great conversation, great contacts, drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Join conference participants, leading members of the oil and gas industry from the RPSEA CO2 EOR Forum, and utility executives and engineers from the mini-conference sponsored by the Gulf Coast Carbon Center and the Texas Carbon Capture & Storage Association, for a joint reception at the Austin Hilton.
Sponsored and Hosted by:
Chevron Gulf Coast Carbon Center The Wyoming Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute
CO2 Flooding Conference The University of Texas at Austin Texas Carbon Capture and Storage Association
7:00 pm
Reception Ends
THURSDAY
MORNING Presiding Officer(s)
Melinda E. Taylor,
The University of Texas School of Law -
Austin, TX
8:00 am
Registration Opens
Includes breakfast: muffins, fruit, and tacos.
8:45 am
Announcements
8:55 am
Welcome From Mayor Wynn
Will Wynn, Mayor
City of Austin - Austin, TX
9:00 am
Climate Change – The State of Play: Legislative Action at the Federal and State Levels 1.00 hr
Current status of state laws and initiatives around the country to control global warming, an overview of the outlook for federal legislation, federal agencies’ response to Massachusetts v. EPA, and the creative use of tort litigation to force action.
William M. Bumpers
Baker Botts L.L.P. - Washington, DC
Melinda E. Taylor
The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
10:00 am
The Evolving Corporate Responses to Climate Change .83 hr
Discussion of how climate change is affecting the operations, cost structures, and growth plans of leading US companies, including a first look at Tenaska Energy's CCS to EOR project in Sweetwater, TX.
Moderator: Melinda E. Taylor
The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
David Fiorelli
Tenaska Energy - Arlington, TX
James M. Spellings, Jr.
Exxon Mobil Corporation - Irving, TX
10:50 am
Break
11:05 am
Air Quality: Understanding the Framework of Regulation under the Federal Clean Air Act .50 hr
Discussion of potential regulation of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) under the federal Clean Air Act, including statutory provisions governing GHG sources; federal and state court and administrative law cases interpreting federal Clean Air Act jurisdiction over GHGs subsequent to Massachusetts v. EPA; and proposed and likely EPA rulemaking governing sources of GHGs under the federal Clean Air Act.
Patricia Finn Braddock
Fulbright & Jaworski LLP - Austin, TX
11:35 am
Federal Legislation: The Energy Security Act and Other Pending Proposals .50 hr
4A discussion and analysis of pending proposals dealing with carbon allowances, cap and trade mechanisms, and carbon taxes, with special attention to the Energy Security Act and the House and Senate approaches to these issues.
Lorraine Howerton
Baker Botts LLP - Washington, DC
THURSDAY
AFTERNOON
12:05 pm
Pick up Box Lunch
Included in conference registration fee.
12:20 pm
The Latest Science on Climate Change: What We Know, What We Don't, and the Implications for Public Policy .75 hr
The latest science on climate change, impacts on domestic and world populations, and the need to reduce emissions and pursue sequestration to avoid "dangerous" climate change.
Camille Parmesan
The University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX
1:05 pm
Break
The Promise and Perils of EOR Extended to Carbon Sequestration
Questions and (Some) Answers
1:20 pm
From the Plant to the Ground: A Practical Example of Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Including EOR Applications .50 hr
Capturing and injecting carbon into underground storage (sequestration) has been proposed as a major way to mitigate the effect of carbon production on global warming. This session explains and illustrates how carbon capture and sequestration works, including capture, transport, injection, migration risks, monitoring and verification. Cost metrics (per ton) for capture, transport, and injection will be briefly discussed. The session closes by discussing how techniques used in Enhanced Oil Recovery compare to proposed carbon sequestration approaches.
Ian J. Duncan
The University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX
1:50 pm
The Texas Advantage: Is Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) the Bridge to Sequestration? .42 hr
While much academic research is being done on carbon sequestration, Texas is one of a handful of states with a longstanding program of carbon injection, and carbon transport, for purposes of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). This session examines how EOR demand for carbon might be used to jumpstart carbon sequestration in Texas; provides basic cost metrics for capture, transport, and storage sequestration; and previews some of the key financial, legal and regulatory obstacles to doing EOR-Carbon sequestration projects.
Mike Moore
Blue Source - Houston, TX
Geir Vollsaeter
Alston & Bird LLP - Washington, DC
2:15 pm
Follow the Money: Understanding the Economics of Combined EOR/Carbon Sequestration Projects .50 hr
This session examines the economic costs and drivers of current EOR/carbon sequestration projects in today's economic and regulatory environment - utilizing the existing subsidy provided by oil revenues. This session closes with some observations on how pending mechanisms to limit carbon emissions might change these economics.
Tracy Evans
Denbury Resources - Plano, TX
2:45 pm
Break
3:00 pm
Property and Ownership Rights in Pore Spaces and Saline Formations: Who Owns Them and How Can They Be Acquired? .75 hr
A legal analysis – with particular attention to Texas law – on acquisition, amalgamation, and ownership of property rights relating to pore spaces utilized for carbon storage, including related issues of carbon migration, water migration (due to carbon injection) and other potential trespass and compensation claims from adjacent property owners.
Owen L. Anderson
University of Oklahoma College of Law - Norman, OK
3:45 pm
Understanding and Limiting Liability Exposure for Carbon Sequestration: Key Texas Case Law and Statutes, Insurance, and Legislative Options .75 hr
The Texas oil & gas industry's experience with EOR operations, salt water disposal and natural gas storage offers valuable insight to the potential liability associated with carbon sequestration, and a possible model for other jurisdictions. This session discusses that potential liability by examining Texas case law and statutory law related to oil & gas injection and storage operations and by investigating insurance and legislative options for limiting the liability associated with carbon sequestration.
James Holtkamp
Holland & Hart LLP - Salt Lake City, UT
Thomas M. Weber
McElroy, Sullivan & Miller, L.L.P. - Austin, TX
4:30 pm
Putting Carbon Dioxide in the Ground: The Existing Regulatory Framework for Underground Injection and What Lies Ahead for Regulatory Oversight of Sequestration Projects .75 hr
Property rights and liability issues are not the only considerations for carbon storage and sequestration projects. Such activities must comply with regulations designed to protect underground sources of drinking water, for example. This session: 1) examines current state and federal underground injection control (UIC) regulations; 2) assesses EPA guidance for sequestration projects and a pending EPA rulemaking; and 3) describes and evaluates a proposed framework for CO2 storage developed by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. In addition, this session examines special incentives adopted in Texas for CO2 sequestration undertaken in conjunction with enhanced oil recovery, comparing the Texas requirements to regulatory frameworks under development elsewhere.
Scott Anderson
Environmental Defense Fund - Austin, TX
5:15 pm
The New Sequestration Industry: The Advantages of Preserving Commercial Drivers .25 hr
Darrick W. Eugene
The Congress Avenue Lobby Group - Austin, TX
5:30 pm
Adjourn to Reception
Reception sponsored by Blue Source
FRIDAY
MORNING Presiding Officer(s)
Eddie A. Lucio,
State Representative -
Austin, TX
8:00 am
Conference Opens
Includes breakfast: muffins, fruit, and tacos.
8:30 am
Pre-Compliance Markets for Carbon Offsets: A Commercial Evolution from Voluntary Markets .50 hr
An introduction to carbon markets in the US, including an overview of how they work and highlights of typical deals, including capture and storage offsets. The session will also discuss how Kyoto requirements already drive some domestic offset activity as companies with international operations identify and purchase offsets generated in the US.
William Townsend
Blue Source - Holladay, UT
9:00 am
Kyoto Cap and Trade and Carbon Deals: What Has Worked and What Has Not .75 hr
This session examines what has and has not worked in the Kyoto Cap and Trade markets, including in Europe, with the goal of previewing the pitfalls and economic opportunities that might arise under new U.S. cap and trade legislation. Includes discussion of the creation of baselines, allocations of credits, verification of offset credits, project types, contractual documentation, areas of potential dispute and other matters.
Christopher K. Carr
Vinson & Elkins LLP - Washington, DC
9:45 am
How Would Pending Limits on Carbon Emissions Affect the Oil and Gas Sector? .50 hr
A discussion and analysis of the potential impacts of cap and trade allowance requirements on oil and gas sector operations. This presentation will introduce newly completed research on how carbon limits impact the sector.
Russell Jones
American Petroleum Institute - Washington, DC
10:15 am
Break
10:30 am
Wall Street Adopts Carbon Principles in Light of Anticipated Carbon Regulation – What's Going on and How Does it Affect Your Company? .75 hr
Citigroup Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley recently announced they will require power generators to demonstrate economic viability of projects in light of anticipated limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. What are the banks doing, what assumptions are in use, and what does this mean for utility companies, and other sectors, whose operations generate large CO2 emissions?
John D. Clapp
Citi Markets & Banking - New York, NY
Mark Brownstein
Environmental Defense - New York, NY
11:15 am
The Demand for Energy, the Price of Electricity, and Climate Change Initiatives – What’s Going to Give? Climate Change and the Utility Sector 1.00 hr
This session opens with a brief overview and analysis involving key issues involving the demand for energy, the price of electricity, and climate change initiatives by former Texas Public Utility Commission Chairman Robert Gee. The demand for power is expected to rise, and prices are projected to escalate owing to heightened delivery system infrastructure costs and increased or uncertain commodity prices. Against this backdrop, adoption of a carbon emission control regime will impose additional compliance costs. What will its impact be on projected prices and the resulting resource mix for power generation? How will the industry respond?
Moderator: Robert Wayne Gee
Gee Strategies Group, LLC - Falls Church, VA
Paul H. Loeffelman
American Electric Power - Columbus, OH
Thad Hill
NRG Texas, LP - Houston, TX
James D. Marston
Environmental Defense Fund - Austin, TX
FRIDAY
AFTERNOON Presiding Officer(s)
Warren Chisum,
Texas House of Representatives -
Pampa, TX
12:15 pm
Pick up Box Lunch
Included in conference registration fee.
12:30 pm
View from the Railroad Commission .75 hr
Introduction: Representative Warren Chisum
Chairman Michael Williams outlines his views on key incentives, regulatory policy, and needed legislation.
Michael L. Williams
Railroad Commission of Texas - Austin, TX
1:15 pm
Break
1:30 pm
Transporting Carbon: Legal and Financial Issues in Building the Carbon Highway .33 hr
A brief discussion of the relative ease of carbon pipeline permitting in Texas, and the challenges of building in and interconnecting from other states.
Charles R. Yarbrough, II
Atmos Pipeline – Texas - Dallas, TX
1:50 pm
Understanding and Working with the Current Incentives for CCS in Texas .33 hr
This session discusses the current statutory and regulatory incentives for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in Texas. This session includes a PowerPoint overview and detailed written paper.
Michael J. Nasi
Jackson Walker L.L.P. - Austin, TX
2:10 pm
Understanding and Responding to Environmental and Neighborhood Objections to Carbon Sequestration .67 hr
This session looks at public perceptions of the risks of transporting and storing carbon. What’s the worst that can happen? What do the experts and engineers believe are the risks? What is the range of current public attitudes and how are these evolving? What local concerns and conditions should be taken into account in planning projects and in siting decisions? How does the regulatory treatment of CO2 storage (commodity vs. waste treatment, liability issues) affect public perceptions?
Moderator: Melinda E. Taylor
The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
David O'Brien Frederick
Lowerre, Frederick, Perales, Allmon & Rockwell - Austin, TX
George Peridas
Natural Resources Defense Council - San Francisco, CA
Rebecca C. Smyth
The University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX
2:50 pm
Corporate Marketing as “Carbon Neutral” or “Green”: Legal Issues and Supporting Documentation .67 hr
Many businesses perceive substantial marketing benefits as advertising their products or actions as "green" or "carbon neutral." This session explores how carbon footprints and reductions are measured and documented, and provides a checklist of key areas of liability, including FTC issues, for the "carbon neutral" business.
Jeff Civins
Haynes and Boone, LLP - Austin, TX
Von B. Gusa
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - Houston, TX
Texas MCLE: Course #900038703 13.75 hrs, includes 0.00 hrs ethics
Credit is submitted to the State Bar of Texas within seven business days following the conference. To claim immediate credit, self-report via the SBOT web site at http://www.texasbarcle.com/CLE/home.asp
California MCLE: Provider #1944 13.75 hrs, includes 0.00 hrs ethics
Many jurisdictions accept courses offered by the University of Texas School of Law, and approved by the State Bar of Texas, for CLE credit. Please check with your state bar association. A Certificate of Completion, and related course reporting documentation for MCLE credit will be available at the conference.
Blue Source is North America's leading portfolio of greenhouse gas emission reductions. Blue Source and its management team are leaders in the development of carbon capture and storage projects, having developed, owned or operated all five such systems build in North America in the last 20 years. Blue Source partnerships have created a pool of investment capital up to $1 billion for developing greenhouse gas emission reduction projects. www.ghgworks.com
The CO2 Conference held each December brings together leaders in the emerging carbon capture and storage industry with oil industry players who are actively conducting CO2 processing, compression, injection and reservoir surveillance. The portion of the week in Midland (home to 2/3rd of the world's active CO2 floods) is designed to identify and make more broadly available the experience and best practices of CO2 enhanced oil recovery industry. www.hartenergyconferences.com
The Texas Carbon Capture & Storage Association ("TxCCSA") is a non-profit industry association advocating for policies that support the development of a commercial CCS industry in Texas and promoting energy security through increasing environmentally responsible fuel production in Texas. We seek the growth and commercialization of the CCS industry through market-based policies and incentives that support private sector investment. txccsa.org
Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is one of the world's leading providers of environmental consulting services and health and safety. They have over 135 offices in more than 40 countries and employ over 3,000 staff. ERM consultants combine regional geoscience and engineering expertise in the oil and gas and power industries with global strategy experience in the field of climate change and carbon capture and storage (CCS). ERM works with governments and businesses across the world on climate change issues, identifying risks and opportunities relating to greenhouse gas emissions and carbon trading regimes. Their experience helping business with project assessment, monitoring, verification and certification makes ERM the ideal partner to help reduce costs and create value through risk management and provides them with the expertise to screen investments for greenhouse gas (GHG) sensitivity and their potential for GHG credits. ERM is the leading international consultancy on the regulatory aspects of CCS and the role of CCS in emissions trading systems. ERM is a regular contributor to international conferences and industry publications on the regulatory aspects of CCS. www.erm.com
NRG Texas is made up of more than 1,100 professional employees in Texas, operating a diverse generation portfolio of almost 11,000 megawatts of power including fossil-fueled plants near Jewett, Texas and in the Houston area as well as a 44 percent ownership of the South Texas Nuclear Power plant in Matagorda County. NRG Texas also has an extensive repowering program to help meet the state's growing demand in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner. The program uses diverse fuels including wind and additional nuclear to reduce further overdependence on any one fuel. When completed, these new projects will be 70 percent less carbon intensive than the current state average. NRG Texas is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, a Fortune 500 wholesale power generation company based in Princeton, NJ. The Texas power generating assets make up NRG Energy's largest regional portfolio. More information on NRG is available at www.nrgenergy.com
Sage Environmental Consulting, L.P. is a national leader in providing environmental services to the oil and gas, petroleum refining, and petrochemical manufacturing industries. Sage provides many services including GHG emissions inventories and emissions reductions strategies, LDAR support, FLIR camera studies, modeling, permitting, facility siting, due diligence, ambient monitoring, data management system development, and recordkeeping and reporting. sageenvironmental.com
As the world's leading energy law firm, Vinson & Elkins has been at the forefront of climate change law-structuring carbon offset projects, forming "green" investment funds, assisting with renewable energy transactions and handling related tax, permitting, and regulatory issues. That experience makes V&E qualified to help energy producers, energy consumers, and investors navigate the path to a lower-carbon future. www.vinson-elkins.com