Houston February 2015 Luncheon

"Houston Import Project: Wires or Generation as the Solution? - A View from Both Sides of the Issue"

The Houston Import Project addresses the power needs of the Houston region for years to come. Our speakers Phillip Oldham and Mark Walker will address the many questions surrounding this project from both sides of the issue. What is the best way to keep the lights on in this growing area? What should the relationship be between generation development and transmission expansion in a competitive market?

Phillip Oldham is a partner in the Austin office of Thompson & Knight LLP.  A recognized expert on energy matters, Phillip serves as an advisor to many Fortune 500 companies and has coordinated energy policy for several coalitions and statewide trade associations. He also regularly assists clients on the development of infrastructure projects, including electrical infrastructure such as cogeneration and transmission facilities. Phillip regularly speaks on energy issues and appears before state agencies such as the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission, the Kansas Corporation Commission, the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Texas Railroad Commission, and the Texas Legislature. He has been profiled as one of the leading Electricity (State Regulatory and Litigation) lawyers in Texas by Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers (2011-2014) and has been named one of The Best Lawyers in America for Energy Law (2006-2014) and a leading Energy Regulatory attorney in the United States (2013-2014) by The U.S. Legal 500.

Mark Walker is Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for NRG Energy’s Gulf Region (ERCOT, MISO, SPP, and other markets), providing counsel and advocacy on wholesale and retail market issues, managing regulatory matters, and supporting NRG operations and development initiatives.  He also serves on the boards of the Gulf Coast Power Association, the Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association, and is chair of the Clean Coal Technology Foundation of Texas. In the ERCOT stakeholder process, Mark has served on the ISO Board and Technical Advisory Committee.  Prior to joining NRG, Mark was Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel for ERCOT, beginning on the “start up” team for the initiation of the ERCOT competitive market in 2001.  Prior to his ERCOT service, for 10 years Mark was Associate General Counsel for the Lower Colorado River Authority where he focused on electric utility and environmental matters.  Mark received his B.A from Baylor and J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.