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Speaking Engagement

LSI's Seminar on Cap-and-Trade

Tuesday, July 24 04:00 AM GMT to 04:00 AM GMT

Law Seminars International presents a comprehensive one-day seminar on Cap-and-Trade: Getting Ready for the First AuctionStrategies for implementation and compliance

July 23, 2012San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel in San Francisco, CA

Global climate change remains a major issue of our time, despite the lack of action by the U.S. Congress. California has taken a bold step to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by adopting a comprehensive, economy-wide cap-and-trade program. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the program in October 2011. The first compliance period begins in 2013 and the first auction of allowances will be held in November of this year; so the program will begin to affect California's economy within months.

This program will review the policies underlying California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, Assembly Bill (AB) 32 (Nez), and explore the details of implementating CARB's cap-and-trade program from the perspectives of electric utilities and industry. We will also review the pending litigation and any challenges yet to be brought that could impact the program implementation.

Despite diminished prospects that California's program will serve as a model for a federal program and waning political support for any coordinated regional effort, CARB's program remains significant due to its comprehensive scope and the sheer size of California. As a consequence, anyone working on environmental or energy issues needs to understand how the program is going to impact their businesses and clients.

This one-day conference will provide the background and analysis needed to understand these impacts and the potential regional and global implications. Risk managers, compliance managers and business decision makers will be informed by our distinguished faculty of top practitioners and policy experts on issues of cost, timing, alternatives and the importance of the program to California's future.

Paul Hastings partner Kevin Poloncarz is a featured speaker at 8:30 am to discuss "An Introduction to the Major Program Elements." The program's cost-containment and market flexibility mechanisms; role of offsets and potential linkages through the Western Climate Initiative. What is the impact on California and the economy? How are companies managing risk? What compliance tools are evolving among market participants?

For additional information and to register, visit the LSI website here.