In The News

• March 28, 2012
  'EPA Power Plant Rules Sharpen Debate Over Commercial Viability of Carbon Capture'
  Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report
  Jane E. Montgomery
  Schiff Hardin partner Jane Montgomery, who practices in the firm's Environmental Group, is quoted in this article about the commercial viability of carbon capture and sequestration technology. The technology, which many coal-fired power plants may have to use to comply with federal law, could represent too much of a drain on large generators' energy use, says Ms. Montgomery.
• February 16, 2012
  'Pipeline Operators Resist Ferc Rules To Address Gas-Electric Conflicts'
  Clean Energy Report
  Regina Y. Speed-Bost
  Clean Energy Report featured an in-depth interview with Schiff Hardin partner Regina Speed-Bost. Ms. Speed-Bost, who practices in the firm's Energy and Public Utilities Group, talks about the conflicting demands of electricity generators and natural gas suppliers on gas reserves, and government efforts to ensure adequate supplies across markets.
• January 9, 2012
  "Court ruling on CSAPR possible this summer, though interpretation of stay varies in industry"
  Platts Electric Utility Week
  Kathleen C. Bassi
  This article about federal court challenges to the EPA's Cross State Air Pollution Rule quotes Schiff Hardin of counsel Kathleen Bassi. Ms. Bassi, who practices in the firm’s Energy and Public Utilities and Environmental Groups, remarks on the District of Columbia Circuit Court's stay of the rule and aggressive hearing schedule.
• December 21, 2011
  "EPA Releases Finalized Utility MACT"
  Power Engineering
  Jane E. Montgomery
  Schiff Hardin Environmental Group partner Jane E. Montgomery was quoted in this article covering the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) release of its finalized Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, pursuant to the EPA's mandate to limit mercury emissions from coal-fired units. The rule will also curtail a number of hazardous air pollutants, including lead, arsenic, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride and dioxins/furans. Schiff Hardin has been representing clients in matters relating to coal-fired units for more than 30 years, and we currently have substantial relationships with numerous energy companies involved in such power generation nationwide.
• December 12, 2011
  "Consent decrees as the way to gain time for mercury compliance get mixed verdicts"
  Platts Electric Utility Week
  Kathleen C. Bassi
  Kathleen Bassi, of counsel in Schiff Hardin's Environmental Group, is extensively quoted in this article on the use of consent decrees by electric utilities. Ms. Bassi notes that the legally binding agreements are potentially useful in buying time to bring power plants into compliance with new limits on mercury and other air pollutants.
• September 1, 2011
  'Company and Executive Women Worth Watching'
  Profiles in Diversity Journal
  Regina Y. Speed-Bost
  Schiff Hardin partner Regina Speed-Bost, who practices in the firm's Energy and Public Utilities Group, was selected for inclusion in Profiles in Diversity Journal's 2012 'Women Worth Watching' list. In her profile, she discusses her career inspiration and the value of mentors.
• August 1, 2011
  "Plant of the Year: KCP&L's Iatan 2 Earns POWER's Highest Honor"
  POWER
  Kenneth M. Roberts
  This energy trade publication highlighted a new power plant owned by Kansas City Power & Light. Attorneys from Schiff Hardin, including Construction Group co-leader Ken Roberts, assisted KCP&L in its oversight of the project, which was constructed using innovative contracting and project controls methods. Mr. Roberts provided key construction prudency testimony in four separate regulatory hearings.
• January 17, 2011
  'Duke, Progress see no market-power hurdles at FERC; some suggest competitive concerns'
  Platt's Electric Utility Week
  Sherry A. Quirk
  This article describes regulatory environment surrounding a planned merger between two electric utilities in the Southeast. Schiff Hardin partner Sherry Quirk, who leads the firm's Energy and Public Utilities group, is quoted on issues of competition and the possible actions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
• January 1, 2011
  'Energy Cases to Watch in 2011'
  Law360
  Regina Y. Speed-Bost
  This article from the Law360 newswire covers items of interest to energy industry participants in the coming year. Schiff Hardin partner Regina Speed-Bost is quoted regarding cost allocation disputes in new power transmission projects.
• June 9, 2010
  'Deal Watch'
  Fulton County Daily Report
  Thomas M. Ingoldsby, Sherry A. Quirk
  This column in the Fulton County Daily Report takes note of Schiff Hardin's assistance to GreyStone Power Corp., a rural electric distribution cooperative, in negotiating its power purchase and scheduling agreement with Morgan Stanley Capital Group. GreyStone supplies electricity to eight counties around Atlanta, Georgia.
• September 28, 2009
  'Utility industry as a whole asks Supreme Court to overturn decision limiting FERC role in siting'
  Electric Utility Week
  Sherry A. Quirk
  Sherry Quirk, who leads Schiff Hardin's Energy and Public Utilities group, is quoted in this article in Electric Utility Week. The article describes a court battle over federal permission for power transmission line siting and improvement in cases where states ignore or deny requests for such work.
• August 17, 2009
  'Seventh Circuit Court Ruling Stokes Fire for Resolution of Power Grid Cost Allocation'
  Inside FERC
  Sherry A. Quirk
  Sherry Quirk, leader of Schiff Hardin's Energy and Public Utilities group, is quoted in this article on cost allocation between electric utilities for new high-voltage transmission lines.
• July 17, 2009
  People
  National Journal
  Roger E. Smith
  This column takes note of Roger E. Smith's recent move to Schiff Hardin as a partner in the Energy and Public Utilities group. Mr. Smith describes how he got his start in the area of energy law.
• January 26, 2009
  'Infrastructure Development Expected to Remain Front-Burner Issue at FERC'
  Daily Gas Report
  Regina Y. Speed-Bost
  In this follow-up to a previous article about new developments at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Regina Speed-Bost, a partner in Schiff Hardin’s Energy and Public Utilities group, is again extensively quoted.
• January 21, 2009
  'FERC Moves Toward Offering More Carrot, Less Stick to Facilitate Compliance'
  Daily Gas Report
  Regina Y. Speed-Bost
  Schiff Hardin partner Regina Speed-Bost, who practices in our Energy and Public Utilities group from Washington D.C., is extensively quoted throughout this article in an energy industry newsletter. Ms. Speed-Bost comments on the energy industry's reaction to monetary penalties levied by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the benefits of increased self-reporting of compliance violations.