Driving Change – Pathways and Challenges to Decarbonization of Electricity Supply for Large Energy Consumers

This presentation will explore strategies for companies, including major oil firms like Shell and ExxonMobil, to procure carbon-free power independently of their incumbent utilities, focusing on alternatives like behind-the-meter generation and microgrids. It will also discuss challenges such as interconnection delays and costs, and how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is addressing these obstacles to support companies in meeting their net zero commitments by 2050.

Credit(s)

1

CO Approval ID

849637

Original Program Date

July 19, 2024

Duration

46 minutes

Many companies have issued carbon reduction goals or emissions pledges, including Western oil majors like Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Equinor that have pledged to reach net zero by 2050. Companies’ goals and pledges, however, do not always align with the generation mix of their incumbent utilities. This presentation will introduce and explore ways that companies can procure carbon-free power or environmental attributes from parties other than their incumbent utility to meet their electricity needs—these include potential solutions such as behind-the-meter generation, microgrids, and a diverse array of procurement contract options. The presentation will also cover obstacles to self-supply, such as long lead-times and uncertain costs for interconnection, and how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has tried to ameliorate such obstacles.

Video presentation from the 70th Annual Natural Resources and Energy Law Institute.

Speakers

Credits

Materials

1 CLE Credit – Approval ID: CO ID - 849637

This course has been accredited for CLE credit in Colorado. CLE credit hours shown are for Colorado only. A CLE course number for Colorado will be provided to attendees on their certificates of attendance once a course has been completed. New Mexico attorneys who complete a course must notify us (cle@rmmlf.org) because we are required to report credits for you. If this course has been approved for RPL/CPL credit with the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), the credits will be listed below in a separate section for AAPL. If applicable, Component Codes for AAPL recertification will also be provided. Please contact RMMLF if you need independent verification by the provider of your attendance or participation for CLE purposes. Except as provided above, RMMLF generally does not apply for accreditation from any other MCLE/CPD organizations for its online legal education program. Upon completion of a program a certificate of attendance will be issued to all attendees. Except as provided above, attendees must verify with their respective state bars and CPD organizations and their specific rules as to whether or not the certificate of attendance will be recognized by that body for MCLE/CPD purposes, and the number of CLE/CPD credits that may be available. The live presentation of the on-demand program has been accredited in most mandatory states as part of a larger course, but such accreditation does not assure recognition of the on-demand program.

JANE RUEGER is a Partner at Perkins Coie LLP in Washington, D.C. She draws on her deep knowledge of the electric industry and markets to advise clients in transactional, litigation, policy, and regulatory matters. Jane regularly represents clients negotiating procurement contracts for power and associated products from carbon-free and conventional resources. She advises clients on a wide array of physical transactions, virtual transactions, REC-only transactions, and the development of behind-the-meter power supply options. She also counsels market participants on RTO/ISO market rules around the United States and the development of creative strategies to successfully operate within those markets. In addition, Jane advises clients on advancing their energy policy goals in areas such as transmission planning, grid interconnection, market structures, and adoption of policies favorable to cutting-edge technologies that are critical to decarbonizing the energy industry, such as microgrids and zero-emission vehicles. A core strength of Jane’s practice is the diverse nature of her knowledge and client base, including electric and gas utilities, financial institutions, large industrial and commercial consumers of power, and other utility service providers. Jane has been an active member of the Energy Bar Association for many years, and in 2020-21 served as its President.