Renewable Energy Credits Workshop

Speaker Bios

November 7-8, 2002
Congress Plaza Hotel and Convention Center
520 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

MICHAEL ASHFORD, THE CLIMATE TRUST

Michael Ashford is an economist and energy project analyst with 13 years experience working for private, public, and non-profit enterprises. Michael has worked in project finance, project risk analysis, environmental and energy policy and regulatory analysis, investment fund design, guarantee fund design, and foreign market analysis and strategies for penetration.

Before joining the Climate Trust in early 2001, Michael was a Vice President at Econergy International Corporation's (EIC) Washington, DC office, a technical advisory and asset management firm specializing in international energy and clean technology development. In Washington, Michael's clients included numerous private power developers, multilateral and bilateral lending agencies, U.S. Government agencies in the energy and environment arena, and non-profit development and renewable energy associations. Starting in 1994, Michael has worked consistently on the design and analysis of green house gas reduction projects. He has managed six submissions on international GHG reduction project submissions to the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation (USIJI), two of which were certified under that program. Michael has worked on valuing and pricing carbon credits based on market analysis and research of past and current transactions, project-level marginal abatement costs, and project development and financing costs. With his colleagues, he co-managed the feasibility study of the World Bank's Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF). The PCF is now one of the largest purchasers of international, project-based carbon credits. He has published articles on carbon financing of clean energy projects and contributed through writing and practical work to the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) co-financing and guaranteeing of investments in projects around the world that reduce GHG emissions. During his tenure at EIC, Michael has had assignments in Croatia, Germany, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nepal, The Philippines, Poland, and Ukraine.

Prior to joining EIC, Michael was the Project Manager at TransAtlantic, a public relations and financial consulting firm serving the banking and public financing sectors of Germany. Previous professional experience includes work as a policy analyst at the bi-partisan, political reform organization, Common Cause, and as a foreign policy analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Michael holds a Master of Arts degree in International Economics and European Studies from The Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and German Studies from The University of Pittsburgh.

ERIC BLANK, COMMUNITY ENERGY, INC. 

Eric Blank is a co-founder and executive vice president of Community Energy, Inc. a company that markets and develops renewable energy. Community Energy, Inc. has facilitated the development of 130 MW of wind energy in Pennsylvania - the largest wind farms in the eastern United States - and executed the five largest private wind energy certificate or green tag retail sales transactions in the United States. Prior to Community Energy, Eric spent ten years as an economist and an attorney managing the Energy Project of the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies (LAW Fund). The LAW Fund is a non-profit environmental group that participates in regional energy policy debates in six western states. At the LAW Fund, Eric helped pioneer the field of wind energy marketing working in conjunction with several Colorado utilities. Before the LAW Fund, Eric spent five years providing economic and modeling consulting support on electric utility issues primarily to independent power producers. Eric has been involved with electric utility issues since 1982, publishing and presenting in a variety of forums. He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School School and a Master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics.

DANIEL CHARTIER, EMISSIONS MARKETING ASSOCIATION

Daniel L. Chartier is President of the Emissions Marketing Association (EMA). EMA is non-profit trade organization, consisting of more than 290 members from 190 companies worldwide. EMA's goal is to promote market-based trading solutions for environmental management.

As President Mr. Chartier is responsible for domestic and international programming, and outreach on critical emissions trading issues.

He holds a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration, both from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Before joining EMA in May of 2002, he served as Emissions Marketing Manager at PG&E's National Energy Group in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to that he worked for thirteen years at Wisconsin Electric Power Company, in various position including serving four years as Emissions Trading Manager.

Chartier is a principal co-founder and Past-Chairman of EMA. He has testified before Congress on emissions trading and has presented technical and policy papers at numerous national and international

BEN FELDMAN, NATSOURCE, LLC 

Ben Feldman, Director of Policy and Research at Natsource LLC, manages renewable energy and climate change research and analysis for Natsource. Mr. Feldman recently managed the development of an analysis of select regional markets and policy developments for renewable energy and RECs on behalf of a large multinational energy company. He served as Director of Environmental Services at the Environmental Resources Trust (ERT), where he oversaw the development, management, and operation of ERT's GHG Registry^sm, a system for tracking and recording greenhouse gas emissions and emissions reductions. Prior to joining ERT, Mr. Feldman worked on energy and environmental policy issues as a Senior Consultant at ICF Consulting. While at ICF, Mr. Feldman worked extensively with private sector clients, multinational institutions, and governments on energy and environmental issues, including regulatory policy in the electricity and natural gas markets, energy efficiency and air emissions, emissions accounting, auditing standards, and measurement and verification protocol development. This included the development of the measurement and verification protocol used by the World Bank's Prototype Carbon Fund to monitor emissions performance from the Liepaja, Latvia Landfill Gas project.

LEAH GIBBONS, PG&E NATIONAL ENERGY GROUP 

Leah Gibbons, with more than 7 years in the energy industry, is Director External Relations of the PG&E National Energy Group. Gibbons is responsible for legislative and regulatory affairs in the Mid-Atlantic region, various PJM related issues, and management of the National Energy Group's political contribution program.

Gibbons joined PG&E National Energy Group in 1998 from Washington International Energy Group of Washington, D.C. where she was Senior Policy Analyst, assisting Japanese utility clients by analyzing and reporting on electric industry restructuring trends. In addition, Gibbons managed the research and production of the Washington International Energy Group's Electric Industry Outlook, an annual publication based on a survey of electric power business decision-makers.

Gibbons received her bachelor's degree in public service from Pennsylvania State University and a master's degree in Public Affairs and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin's Lafollette Institute of Public Affairs.

The National Energy Group has ownership and management interests in an operating generation portfolio of more than 7,000 megawatts and more than 10,000 megawatts in new plant development and construction currently under way. Its pipeline system in the Pacific Northwest is one of the most strategically positioned pipeline assets in the West, with the ability to transport 2.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day. The National Energy Group's power and gas trading operation is one of the fastest growing in the nation with a 2000 trading volume of 283 million megawatt-hours of power and 6.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas.

DR. JAN HAMRIN, CENTER FOR RESOURCE SOLUTIONS 

Dr. Jan Hamrin is Executive Director of the Presidio Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a non-profit organization created to foster leadership in the implementation of clean energy and sustainable development practices through education, training and expert assistance. CRS domestic programs include: the Green-e certification program; and Green Pricing Accreditation Program. The International programs include: Regulatory/Policy Assistance Programs (including renewable energy policy assistance to China); and The Global Guardianship Initiative with the Nature Conservancy.

Prior to joining CRS, Jan served as Research Director for the National Council on Competition and the Electric Industry (a joint project of NARUC and NCSL) where she focused attention on the public interest policies and issues associated with restructuring. Jan co-authored a book for NARUC on restructuring and its potential implications for renewables, energy efficiency and RD&D entitled Affected with the Public Interest and one entitled Investing in the Future: A Regulator's Guide to Renewables.

Dr. Hamrin received her Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of California at Davis, with emphasis on public policy evaluation of environmental and energy programs. She also holds Masters degrees in Consumer Science and Public Administration.

ASHLEY HOUSTON, APX 

Ashley Houston, Market Development Manager with APX, supports the administration of the New England Generation Information System and is working towards deployment of similar systems in control areas across the U.S and Canada.

Ashley has 8 years of renewable energy policy and market experience. Prior to APX, she was a Project Manager at XENERGY where her responsibilities included representing renewable energy interests at NEPOOL and FERC. She also spent four years as a market analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and has a graduate degree in energy and environmental analysis from Boston University and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Trinity College.

VAN JAMISON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/ NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY 

Van Jamison has worked with state and federal energy and air quality officials to utilize energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy developments to meet ambient air quality requirements over the past decade. He has helped develop policies and strategies for incorporating inherently less polluting energy production sources and improved end use efficiency into state air quality compliance plans.

Jamison has directed programs to encourage energy efficiency investments in houses, businesses, industries, transportation systems, and public buildings. He has also managed programs to expand energy production from renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass. He systematically monitored petroleum and electricity supplies and demands within Montana and maintained plans for responding to energy emergencies or supply disruptions under Montana's Energy Supply Emergency Powers Act. He served as Montana's air, water and energy director for policy and program development issues. He was instrumental in formulating executive branch policies and recommendations on energy and environmental protection within Montana and has helped to develop national energy and air protection policies.

Jamison has evaluated the environmental and economic impacts of large proposed mines, hydroelectric and conventional generation projects, transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, and other projects according to Montana's Environmental Policy Act and Major Facility Siting Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Jamison was responsible for monitoring Montana's ambient air and water quality and supervised development of state implementation plans to attain ambient air standards and total maximum daily load allocations to restore impaired water bodies. He has successfully developed state environmental protection criteria, legislation and standards.

Jamison directed programs to reduce, reuse and recycle waste, to finance wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities and to prevent pollution in government and commercial operations before it occurs. He was responsible for disseminating information on sustainable products and practices and encouraging communities throughout Montana to adopt their use. Jamison has testified before Montana's legislature on the energy and environmental protection matters for which he was responsible.

Jamison has served on the State and Local Government Advisory Panel to the National Academy of Sciences & Energy Engineering Board and the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Energy Officials. In addition to serving as a Director within the National Association of State Energy Officials, Jamison chaired the organization's Electricity and Siting Committee and was the Vice Chairman of its Utility Restructuring Subcommittee.

Jamison was instrumental in drafting the National Governors' Association Policy Position on a Comprehensive National Energy Policy and has testified before Congress concerning energy program and policy matters. He participated in the Keystone Center dialogue to develop a model state transmission line siting code. Jamison was a member of the National Wind Coordinating Committee and chaired its Avian Subcommittee. He has represented state and federal interests on the Western Interstate Energy Board, the Western Regional Air Partnership and its Air Pollution Prevention Forum, and the Flathead Basin Commission. He was also a member of the Offsets Forum organized through the Center for Clean Air Policy. Jamison played a pivotal role in organizing the Greening of Yellowstone National Park and assembling the private and government partners needed to complete green' projects within the Park and neighboring communities.

RICK MORGAN U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

Rick Morgan is Senior Energy Analyst with EPA's Climate Protection Partnerships Division. Mr. Morgan represents EPA on electricity policy, emissions disclosure, and clean energy development. He oversees the development of EPA electricity-related data tools such as Power Profiler and the E-GRID database of power plant emission rates and resource mix. Mr. Morgan joined EPA in 1991 after five years with the D.C. Public Service Commission, where he served as technical assistant to Commissioners Wesley Long and Edward Meyers. During his 32 years in the field of electricity policy, Mr. Morgan has authored numerous books, reports, and papers on electric power. He holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in economics from Antioch College.

DAVID R. WOOLEY, YOUNG & SOMMER, LLC 

David is Senior Counsel to the Clean Air Task Force a foundation supported education and advocacy project. The Task Force seeks to influence state and national air pollution policies to reduce acid rain, smog, visibility impairment and climate change problems. David represented health and environmental groups from Midwestern, Southern, Mid-Atlantic and New England states in 1998-9 rulemaking proceedings ("N0x SIP Call") that will reduce summertime nitrogen oxide emissions by one million tons in a 22 state region. He represents citizen groups in enforcement litigation concerning alleged violations of Clean Air Act new source review requirements. David is also a founding partner of the Albany, New York law firm of Young & Sommer, LLC.

Previously David served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of NY, specializing in litigation and lobbying on air pollution issues. David served as lead counsel for a coalition of northeastern states, and national environmental groups in a litigation campaign to stop acid rain under provisions of the Clean Air Act. He also represented NY in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning national incinerator regulations, ozone nonattainment planning, gasoline volatility controls, and air pollution enforcement. David prepared and presented Congressional testimony for the Attorney General on acid rain, urban smog and air toxics issues.

The Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain recognized David as one of 29 leading contributors to passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. In 2001, David was appointed by Governor George Pataki as a member of the New York State Greenhouse Gas Taskforce. David was appointed by the US State Department as member of the American team that negotiated the Ozone Annex to the US Canada Air Quality Agreement. David received the Adirondack Council's Distinguished Achievement Award in 1987 for his work on the acid rain issue.

From 1990-1998, David Wooley served as Professor for Environmental and Energy Law at Pace University School of Law in White Plains, New York and served as Executive Director and later as Counsel to the Pace Energy Project. The Energy Project a foundation supported education and advocacy center that builds public awareness and influences government policies regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy resources in the electric power sector. David served as lead counsel for a coalition of national and state environmental groups in the electric utility restructuring proceedings before the NY Public Service Commission.

He is the author of the Clean Air Handbook, (Wests Group Publishing, 2002). David is co-author of Air Pollution, a law school text-book (Anderson Publishing, 1998) and Environmental Costs of Electricity, a book describing the monetary value of environmental damages from electric power production. (Oceana Press, 1990).

Prior to joining the New York Attorney General's office, David managed an environmental law center for legal services programs in West Virginia, and litigated cases involving air and water pollution, oil and gas development, strip mining, pesticide use and power line construction.

David has served as Vice-Chairman of the American Bar Association Subcommittee on Air Quality and Co-Chair of the New York State Bar Association's Energy Committee. He is a member of the Bar of New York, three other states, numerous federal courts and the United States Supreme Court. He has appeared as a speaker at numerous conferences on air pollution control, renewable energy and energy conservation and has published numerous articles on energy policy and air pollution control. He serves on advisory committees to the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority and as a consultant to the American Wind Energy Association.