Energy Law Practice

Catalog description

This one-week, 1-credit course will introduce participants to energy regulatory law. Course participants will learn how electricity is regulated with a special focus on the opportunities for lawyers representing clients who wish to develop renewable or other distributed energy projects, drive energy efficiency, or otherwise influence the production or delivery of electricity in a particular state. Understanding the past and current structure of utility regulation is essential to the practice of energy law. This course begins with a review of how the present electricity system and energy regulatory structures came into existence. Next, the course will focus on electricity supply. How is new electricity generation sited and by whom? How is new capacity financed? How do electricity markets work? Third, the course will turn to the delivery of electricity. How does electricity get from generators to consumers and by whom? How are electricity supply and delivery rates determined? How does distributed generation like rooftop solar or small wind or high-efficiency cogeneration fit into this regulatory context? What financing mechanisms are available for these “non-traditional” projects? Where does end-use energy efficiency fit in? Can we fit the future into a regulatory structure designed for the past?