Intro to Energy Law: An Overview of Key Legislative, Regulatory & Commercial Topics

This program, taught by Peter Funk, an energy and utility law attorney with Funk & Zeifer LLP, will provide an introductory overview of the scope and application of energy law. This will include a discussion of the primary areas and elements of federal and state energy law and how to identify energy law and regulatory or utility issues.

Energy law is not a specific type of law but rather encompasses a broad range of statutes, regulations, governmental activity and caselaw that apply specifically to energy-related sectors of our economy and to many other commercial and transactional areas. As a result, energy law ultimately impacts every entity and person in the US. This program will provide a broad overview of federal and state regulation of companies that extract, produce, transport, generate and transmit energy such as merchant power plants and utilities together with related environmental matters.

The discussion will include comments regarding national political risk factors in energy and environmental regulation, as demonstrated by abrupt changes between successive administrations. The program will also cover the energy-related provisions in statutes and regulations which impact federal governmental entities like HUD and state governmental entities such as municipalities and school districts, and which impose standards upon manufacturers of products such as energy efficiency in products - including provisions in the Uniform Commercial Code that can be applicable to energy supply transactions. In addition, this program will discuss governmental authorities that promote energy projects at the state level, such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and tax incentive provisions that are applicable to energy production facilities such as solar projects. Finally, the course will cover the applications of energy law to law practices so that practitioners can identify and be aware of the implications of energy law in client matters.   

1. Identify potential energy law issues involved in running a law practice
2. Knowledgeably represent parties when energy issues are involved
3. Gain practical insights for addressing energy law issues