Sixth Annual Natural Gas Conference Focused on the Future

More than 100 professionals from the energy industry gathered at The Woodlands Club in Falmouth, Maine on Thursday, October 18 for the 6th Annual Natural Gas Conference: Focus on the Future, co-hosted by Verrill Dana and Pierce Atwood. The conference kicked off with a keynote address by Mark Vannoy, Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, which was followed by a video address from United States Senator Angus King, during which he explained, “natural gas is at the forefront of an energy revolution and energy transformation in this country.” The Bangor Daily News article entitled, “Natural gas touted as best alternative while Maine looks to renewables,” provides a detailed overview of Senator King’s remarks, in addition to information on what the future of natural gas might look like in Maine from Verrill Dana attorney William Harwood.

The day continued with three panel discussions and a lunchtime address from Portland Press Heraldreporter Tux Turkel. The first panel, “Power Generation in the Northeast,” was moderated by Verrill Dana attorney Jim Cohen, and featured panelists Eric Johnson, of ISO-NE; Heather Hunt, of NESCOE; and Dan Dolan, of the New England Power Generators Association.

The second panel, “Pipeline Expansion: Challenges and Opportunities,” was moderated by Katie Gray, and featured panelists Sean Mahoney, of the Conservation Law Foundation; Blair Hastey, of Enbridge, Inc.; Cynthia Armstrong, of PNGTS; Todd Piczak, of Tennessee Pipeline; and Rob Furino, of Unitil.

Following lunch, the third panel, “LNG Imports and Exports – Why Not Interstate?,” was moderated by Pierce Atwood attorney Sarah Tracy, who was joined on the panel by Jerry Livengood, of Bangor Gas; John Flumerfelt, of Calpine Corporation; Rob Belliveau, of Emera New Brunswick; Robert Bocko, of Holmes, Weddle & Barcott; and Karen Iampen, of Repsol.

Concluding the program was a panel on “Forward Thinking Solutions” moderated by Pierce Atwood attorney Randall Rich. The panel featured Richard Silkman, of Competitive Energy Services; Tom Kiley, of Northeast Gas Association; Barry Hobbins, of Public Advocate; David Littell, of Regulatory Assistance Project; and Jürgen Weiss, of The Brattle Group.

Access seminar materials on the Verrill Dana website.

Stay tuned for information on next year’s Natural Gas Conference, tentatively scheduled for Fall 2019. In the meantime, learn more about Verrill Dana’s Energy Group. If you haven’t yet, subscribe to the Energy Law Update on the left hand side of your screen for future updates delivered right to your inbox.