EMLF held its first ever program specifically devoted to carbon capture, storage, and sequestration technology and legal issues on November 16, 2023. The program was held virtually and consisted of eight excellent sessions covering a wide variety of topics. Co-chairs Ryan Haddad of Reed Smith and Kara Herrnstein of Bricker Graydon put together a great program with a variety of speakers from firms, industry, and law schools.
Similar in format to our successful 2021 Special Institute that focused on solar power, the Special Institute on Carbon Capture began with an overview session covering a high-level look at the technology, tax incentives, and business opportunities available in the sector presented by Steptoe & Johnson’s Britt Freund. Following the introductory session, John Rhine of Dentons Bingham Greenebaum took us in the trenches for a discussion of his experience obtaining the first Class VI well permit. He was followed by Matt Mangum of Shell and Bricker Graydon attorneys Chris Slagle and Rachael Mains providing an overview of state efforts surrounding regulation and obtaining primacy. Department of Commerce attorney Priya Prasad rounded out the morning (live from Jakarta!)with a fascinating discussion about international carbon capture initiatives and their synergies with domestic programs and businesses. The afternoon’s noteworthy sessions included Charles Fridge, CEO of Verde C02 CCS in conversation with Reed Smith’s Megan Skiba about the emitter’s perspective on carbon capture business opportunities, a panel discussion on a variety of property related hot topics presentedby Keith Hall, Louisiana State University; Tara Righetti, University of Wyoming; and Paul Stockman, Kazmarek Mowrey Cloud Laseter, an overview of carbon offtake and transportation arrangements presented by Robert Pillow and Reed Smith’s Ryan Haddad, and finally Marcy Hupp of Perkins Coie took a look at energy attribute certificates and carbon capture projects.
The program was created by EMLF’s Alternative Energy Task Force. If you would like to join the task force, please e-mail Anna Fletcher at anna@emlf.org or Tim Hagerty at thagerty@fbtlaw.com. The virtual Special Institute on Carbon Capture will be available for on-demand viewing in December.