Session Description: This session provides lawyers and contracting officers with a forum for discussing common challenges. A panel discussion on Wednesday morning — open to all — will be the capstone to GovEnergy's many sessions of particular value to this group. Roll up your sleeves and work with professionals to craft improvements and solutions. Review the recommended sessions below for other sessions discussing related topics throughout the GovEnergy Technical Program.
Recommended Session:| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Monday, Room: 230/231 | SESSION TITLE: Contracting: Identifying and Overcoming the Toughest Challenges PRESENTERS:
| TRACK: GovEnergy Roundtable SESSION INTENT: Discover how to conquer today's toughest contracting challenges and get armed for tomorrow's. SESSION DESCRIPTION: Understanding and overcoming issues, complications, and challenges can ease the pain of the contracting process. Discuss today's toughest contracting challenges and share lessons learned and tricks-of-the-trade to improve energy project contracting. |
| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Monday, Room: 205 | SESSION TITLE: Outside the Fence: Negotiating Commodity and Utility Service Contracts in Deregulated Markets PRESENTERS:
| TRACK: Utility Infrastructure SESSION INTENT: Analyze approaches for purchasing utility services in competitive markets. SESSION DESCRIPTION: Competitive energy markets create a complex quagmire for agencies to navigate. We will evaluate agency and industry tips for successful negotiations with various utility counterparties in deregulated energy markets. Topics will include commodity contracts, transportation tariffs, and energy efficiency and other rebates. |
| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Monday, Room: 230/231 | SESSION TITLE: Policy and Regulation: Sharing Your Thoughts with Congress PRESENTERS:
| TRACK: GovEnergy Roundtable SESSION INTENT: Share policy obstacles to achieving your energy goals and find potential solutions. SESSION DESCRIPTION: Compliance with energy-related mandates is often challenging amid burdens of existing regulation or policy. Discuss these hurdles and share ideas on how Congress and the President can help lessen them. |
| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Tuesday, Room: 200 | SESSION TITLE: Advanced Contracting for Renewable Projects PRESENTERS:
| TRACK: Energy 501 SESSION INTENT: Discover how to address the most complex issues in on-site renewable project execution and how to prepare for them. SESSION DESCRIPTION: What could possibly go wrong with an on-site renewable energy project? This session will present some of the complexities related to developing a successful renewable energy project. Discussion topics include issues such as land use agreements, termination schedules, ownership assignments, performance guarantees, National Environmental Policy Act reviews and long-term contracting authority. |
| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Tuesday, Room: 230/231 | SESSION TITLE: Legal: Resolving Problematic Language and Overcoming Authority Constraints in Energy Contracts PRESENTERS:
| TRACK: GovEnergy Roundtable SESSION INTENT: Discuss the legal obstacles faced in energy project execution and find ways to move forward without getting mired in ambiguity. SESSION DESCRIPTION: Seize the opportunity to participate in this facilitated legal working group. Engage in a lively discussion of energy's hot topics and bring your own ideas and issues to the table. This no-speaker session will address subjects important to attendees. You do not have to be a lawyer to attend. |
| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Tuesday, Room: 211 | SESSION TITLE: Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) PRESENTERS:
| SESSION DESCRIPTION: Participants will acquire a fundamental understanding of PPA mechanics, when to choose a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) over other options and how to assemble the right stakeholders into a project development team for the greatest success. |
| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Tuesday, Room: 201/204 | SESSION TITLE: Scorecards and Reporting PRESENTERS:
| TRACK: Policy, Planning & Leadership SESSION INTENT: Investigate the latest agency results for the OMB scorecard and examine new reporting requirements. SESSION DESCRIPTION: OMB will unveil the latest agency scorecard results for reporting on energy, water, and sustainability programs. Learn about new reporting requirements and how to plan for the next scorecard. |
| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Wednesday, Room: 211 | SESSION TITLE: Energy Lawyers & Contracting Officers Working Group PRESENTERS:
| TRACK: Energy Lawyers & Contracting Officers Working Group SESSION INTENT: Join the professionals in a discussion of ideas and concerns revolving around energy law and contracts. SESSION DESCRIPTION: Seize the opportunity to participate in this facilitated Energy Lawyers and Contracting Officers Working Group. Engage in lively discussion of energy's hot topics related to legal issues and contracts. Bring your own ideas and issues to the table: This no-speaker session will focus on expert panelists addressing the subjects brought up by attendees. All are welcome. You need not be a lawyer or contracting officer to attend. |
| SESSION TIME & LOCATION: Wednesday, Room: 200 | SESSION TITLE: Advanced Alternative Financing PRESENTERS:
| TRACK: Energy 501 SESSION INTENT: Explore the possibilities and discover the complexities of alternative financing projects—an immediate need, due to dwindling federal funds. SESSION DESCRIPTION: With decreasing funding for government agencies, alternative financing opportunities are a viable option to fulfill significant funding shortfalls. Alternative funding traditionally includes energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs), utility energy service contracts (UESCs), and enhanced use lease (EUL) contracting mechanisms. For many years, government agencies have benefited from these contracts. Yet, these contracts are complicated and carry risks for both government agencies and contractors who provide the required results. To be successful, both government and contractors must work together |