April 2017 – Global Power Law & Policy

K&L Gates Blockchain Energizer – Volume 2

Apr 21 2017

By Molly Suda, Buck B. Endemann, and Benjamin L. Tejblum

There is a lot of buzz around blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries from finance and healthcare to real estate and supply chain management. Reports estimate that over $1.4 billion was invested in blockchain startups in 2016 alone, and many institutions and companies are forming partnerships to explore how blockchain ledgers and smart contracts can be deployed to manage and share data, create transactional efficiencies, and reduce costs.

While virtual currencies and blockchain technology in the financial services industry have been the subject of significant debate and discussion, blockchain applications that could transform the energy industry have received comparatively less attention. Every other week, the K&L Gates’ Blockchain Energizer will highlight emerging issues or stories relating to the use of blockchain technology in the energy space.

IN THIS ISSUE

Blockchain Technology – A Possible Solution to China’s Air Pollution Problems?
Blockchain Technology Deployed to Optimize Crude Oil Trading
Blockchain Technology Gaining Ground in the Energy Industry

To view more information on theses topics in Volume 2 of The Blockchain Energizer, click here.

The Business of of Wind in the Northwest – Presented by The Seminar Group

Apr 18 2017

How is big business putting wind to work? Why does it make financial sense? This event, presented by The Seminar Group, will explore answers to these questions and discuss the status of wind power development in the west, wind power siting, utility perspectives of renewables, Cal ISO expansion, and equity financial structures and tax considerations.

Portland partner Bill Holmes is serving as Program Chair for this progrm Thursday, May 4 at the World Trade Center in Portland, Oregon.

In addition, Seattle partner David Benson will serve as a faculty member for the program.

Bill will present on the Status of Wind Power Development in the West and David will speak on a panel covering Equity, Financial Structures and Tax Considerations.

To learn more about this event and register, click here.

Trade Group Complains that PJM’s Frequency Regulation System Unduly Discriminates Against Energy Storage Resources

Apr 17 2017

By William M. Keyser, Molly Suda, and Michael L. O’Neill

The Energy Storage Association (ESA) filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) alleging that PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) has adjusted its system operations to unduly discriminate against certain market participants. ESA argues that PJM changed the rules of its frequency regulation market, without prior FERC approval, and that those rule changes unduly discriminate against limited energy resource participants, such as energy storage providers.

FERC has set May 15, 2017, as the deadline for parties to comment, intervene, or protest ESA’s complaint. Commenting and/or intervention are important procedural tools that allow interested parties to protect and advocate for their interests. Given the potentially broad impact of this complaint on PJM’s energy and frequency regulation market design, numerous entities may seek to participate in this proceeding. K&L Gates will continue to follow this proceeding closely.

To read the full alert on K&L Gates HUB, click here.

K&L Gates Blockchain Energizer Vol. 1

Apr 13 2017

A bi-weekly update on applications of blockchain technology in the energy industry

By Molly Suda, Buck B. Endemann, and Benjamin L. Tejblum

While virtual currencies and blockchain technology in the financial services industry have been the subject of significant debate and discussions, blockchain applications that could transform the energy industry have received comparatively less attention. Every other week, the K&L Gates Blockchain Energizer will highlight emerging issues or stories relating to the use of blockchain technology in the energy space.

Our inaugural edition features:

The Brooklyn Microgrid – Powered by Blockchain
Share & Charge – A Blockchain-based Electric Vehicle Charging Marketplace
ING and Societe Generale Contemplate Blockchain-powered LNG Trading

To view more information on theses topics in our first edition of The Blockchain Energizer, click here.

To subscribe to subsequent bi-weekly alerts, please contact Alé Simmons.

Executive Order Directs Federal Agencies to Reconsider Federal Initiatives Focused on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change

Apr 03 2017

By William J. Moltz, David J. Raphael, Sandra E. Safro, Ankur K. Tohan, Michael L. O’Neill

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on March 28, 2017, entitled “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth” (“Order”), which is designed to prompt reconsideration, and in some cases revocation, of the Obama Administration’s actions to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The Order directs several federal agencies to review, and possibly withdraw, specific policy initiatives like the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Clean Power Plan rulemaking and the U.S. Department of the Interior (“Interior”) 2015 and 2016 rules on oil and gas production on federal lands. In addition, the Order directs the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality (“CEQ”) to rescind its 2016 final guidance document regarding the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts in environmental reviews performed under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). More broadly, the Order also directs all federal agencies to review “all agency actions” that “potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources.”

As discussed in greater detail below, the Order may have far-reaching implications for U.S. policy on energy production, greenhouse gas regulation, and climate change that could have spillover impacts for energy infrastructure development. A vigorous debate is certain to follow with interested stakeholders evaluating strategic options including notice and comment rulemaking, litigation, and legislative advocacy.

To read the full alert on K&L Gates HUB, click here.

Archive:April 2017