Law360 Publishes Akin Gump Examination of Congress’ Clean Energy Plans

Law360 has published the article “Congress’ Clean Energy Plans Carry Major Market Implications,” written by Chip Cannon, head of Akin Gump’s energy regulation, markets and enforcements practice, and Andrew Phillips, a former intern with the practice. The article, which is based on a recent AG Speaking Energy blog post, looks at the debate in Washington over the extension and expansion of federal support for clean energy initiatives.

Cannon and Phillips write that a national renewable electricity standard “paired with an extension of the energy investment tax credit, if enacted, would encourage the growth of renewable energy investment and installation.” In fact, “many states continue to implement and refine their own policies to encourage renewable resource deployment,” with 29 states and the District of Columbia having already implemented renewable portfolio standards.

The article proceeds to outline some of the legislative proposals currently pending on Capitol Hill. It also details a plan announced by members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee to achieve a 100 percent “clean economy by 2050.”

The authors then discuss some of the implications of these plans, noting they will require “industry consideration of potential regulatory changes.” Some regulatory battles, they add, have already begun “on the impact state clean energy policies have on the operation of wholesale markets.”

To read the article in its entirety, please click here.