As more projects become ready for construction, public awareness of offshore wind in Germany is growing and is increasingly perceived as an established industry. Nonetheless, closer analysis of the market reveals that many offshore wind projects fail to reach the significant milestones necessary to obtain investment approval or financial close as a prerequisite to starting construction. For this reason, further delays to the expansion of offshore wind projects are probable.

This Webcast will provide analysis and guidance on the framework and status of the German offshore wind market and address the most significant obstacles to implement projects. 

Discussion topics will include:

• Introduction of offshore wind in Europe
• Financing offshore wind
• Tax aspects of offshore wind investments
• Legal aspects of offshore wind investments

Discussion topics will include:

• Legislative recap and outlook
• Bonus depreciation - opportunities and pitfalls
• Notice 2010-92: Foreign Tax Credit Guidance under Section 909
• Tax update for oil and gas states

Discussion topics will include:

• Legislative update
• Federal tax update (Schedule UTP, accounting methods, and bonus depreciation)
• State and local tax update; industry issues

Discussion topics will include:

• The vision of the smart grid
• The reality of the smart grid
• Recognizing opportunities for smart grid project improvement
• Successfully executing smart grid opportunities

Discussion topics will include:

• The credit risks facing utilities
• The implications of these risks
• Leading practices to address these risks
• How utilities can prepare for the future

Investors are demanding greater returns, regulators are demanding more transparency and accountability, and lenders have no appetite for risk and are demanding stronger controls and improved risk management and reporting. You may be asking the question, "How can we improve the likelihood of success in this difficult environment?"

During this Webcast, Geno Armstrong, Global Leader, Major Projects Advisory, and Clay Gilge, Managing Director, Major Projects Advisory, address the challenges of managing construction projects in the current market. They highlight four key areas of focus for risk management and controls, and also address some of the approaches currently taken by energy companies specific to nuclear, fossil generation, alternative fuels, and transmission projects.

Discussion topics include:

• Historical recap - how did we get here?
• Current market overview - what can we expect in 2011 and beyond?
• What does this mean from a risk management & controls perspective, and how can we improve performance?

We are pleased to be joined by Peter O'Rourke, senior advisor to the executive director, Loan Program Office, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Peter will provide timely insight into DOE's 1703 and 1705 Loan Guarantee Programs that cover the renewable energy, nuclear power, and other sectors.

Discussion topics will also include:

• DOE Loan Guarantee Program: What Now?
• Cleantech Investments: Summary of Latest Investment Data
• The New Bonus Depreciation Program: The IRS Issues Its Guidance

During this webcast, discussion topics will include:

• Workforce management issues and challenges
• Examples of what utilities have experienced and how they've responded
• Talent management considerations
• Cross-industry leading practices

• Current Oil & Gas Tax Issues
• International Tax update
• Hot Topics in State and Local Tax

During this webcast, discussion topics will include:

• Bonus Depreciation Guidance
• Dominion Resources case on Section 263A
• State and Local Tax - Industry Issues

We are pleased to announce that we will be joined by Satnam Tumani, head of Bribery & Corruption Business Area, Serious Fraud Office (SFO), London, England. Tumani will provide timely insight into UK Bribery Act Guidance recently released by the UK Ministry of Justice along with recently published prosecution guidelines.

During this webcast, the panel will discuss:

• The UK Ministry of Justice guidance related to the UK Bribery Act 2010
• The joint prosecution guidance of the SFO and Crown Prosecution Service
• Anti-bribery and corruption compliance benchmarking

Discussion topics will include:

• Cloud economics and the cloud business case - determining cost vs. speed, flexibility, and capacity. The value proposition for global enterprises vs. smaller companies.
• Financial engineering, demand planning, and cost management - integrating cloud services into traditional IT demand planning, request to pay, and cost control processes.
• Security and risk architecture - challenges of incorporating cloud services into traditional hosting and storage architectures.
• Sourcing and contracting - tax implications, safe harbor policies, service level and KPIs, license to work model risk.

Discussion topics will include:

• Results of "Green power: 2011 KPMG renewable energy M&A report" and the changes and trends in the renewable energy sector.
• Current business impacts of climate change regulation in the U.S.

Discussion topics will include:

• Federal Renewable Energy Program - strategies for beginning construction
• Federal tax update - rate regulated issues
• State and local tax - industry issues

Don and Bryan will discuss the complexity of the supplier contract environment and how to manage the associated risks.

During this webcast, discussion topics will include:

• Benefits of contracts with suppliers
• Supplier review program - purpose and objectives
• Strategic selection - opportunities and risks

This broadcast will be moderated by KPMG LLP (U.S.) National Smart Grid leader Ron Clanton. Joining Ron from KPMG LLP (U.S.) will be David DesLauriers, Advisory Services senior manager; Stephen Doroff, Advisory Services director; and Shane Hendricks, Advisory Services senior manager.

Discussion topics will include:

• Impact of dynamic pricing and associated challenges and trends
• Demand response and the implications for dynamic pricing
• Addressing program risks associated with dynamic pricing

The broadcast will be moderated by Cathy Lewis, U.S. national sector leader for Power and Utilities. Joining Cathy on the panel from KPMG in the United States will be Federal Tax Partner Rod Anderson and Washington National Tax Partner Carol Conjura.

The discussion will focus on accounting methods and specifically the new safe harbor for determining whether expenditures to maintain, replace, or improve electric transmission and distribution property are capitalized improvements versus deducted as repairs, including transition issues for adopting the safe harbor method - Rev. Proc. 2011-43.

Joining John on the panel is Martin Schmidt, partner, KPMG LLP (U.S.) Economic & Valuation Services; Katherine Blue, managing director, KPMG LLP (U.S.) Energy Sustainability practice; and Katherine Breaks, managing director, KPMG LLP (U.S.) Washington National Tax practice.

Discussion topics will include:

• New environmental regulations - Risks and rewards for power and utility companies
• Section 1603, Federal Renewable Energy Grant program - Strategies for beginning construction

Discussion topics will include:

• The road to CIP compliance
• Sustainable compliance
• Challenges, better practices
• Project case study
• Compliance performance measurement 

Joining Wayne on the KPMG global panel is Steve Estes, partner, KPMG in the United States; Garcia Nestor, partner, KPMG in Argentina; Marcin Rudnicki, partner, KPMG in Poland; and Brent Steedman, partner, KPMG in Australia.

During this webcast, discussion topics will include:

• The Americas' Perspective
• The European Perspective
• The Asia-Pacific Perspective

During this webcast, discussion topics will include:

• Business Intelligence - Shifting the focus away from efficient delivery of information to accuracy in insight
• How does this translate to Power & Utility companies?
• Where do we go from here?

Using web-based access to corporate intelligence research and reporting can provide organizations more cost efficient and timely access to information which can be readily reviewed internally by legal, compliance, or risk leaders to support improved business decision-making speed.

During this webcast, discussion topics will include:

• How increased regulatory scrutiny and global transactions are driving the need for improving access to quality data for due diligence information to assess risks associated with third parties
• Available data resources that should be utilized in corporate intelligence initiatives
• Adding value through iterative research and applying targeted search strategies

The broadcast will be moderated by KPMG LLP (U.S.) National Tax Services Leader for Oil and Gas Mike Terracina. Joining Mike from KPMG LLP (U.S.) will be Washington National Tax Principal John Gimigliano and Director Bob Swiech; Federal Tax Director Mike McGoldrick; and State and Local Tax Principal Nikki Crighton.

Discussion topics will include:

• Legislative and policy outlook
• Renewable energy tax incentives
• Shale gas -- Federal and state tax perspectives

During the webcast, the KPMG global panel will also provide an update regarding the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (Phase 3) and Australia's new carbon tax. The discussion will include a comparison and contrast against AB32 and future perspective on global trends with carbon and energy regulation. 

The broadcast will be moderated by Cathy Lewis, national sector leader, KPMG in the United States for Power and Utilities. Joining Cathy on the panel from KPMG in the United States will be Washington National Tax Partner Carol Conjura and Federal Tax Director Mike McGoldrick.

Discussion topics will include:

• Review of new repair regulations for electric transmission & distribution property
• New tax efficient structures to build infrastructure to transport and store newly developed shale gas reserves
  
  
  
  

This thought-provoking webcast will explore the nature of the cloud in capital projects, key vs. perceived risk elements and how other industries are innovating in their most critical investments.

This session will focus specifically on merger and acquisition activity in the shale gas industry.  Some of the topics discussed will include:

• Inbound vs. outbound transactions
• Issues relating to doing a transaction
• Regulation and "permissions needed"
• What companies need to be aware of

The broadcast will be moderated by KPMG LLP Global Oil and Gas leader Wayne Chodzicki and will include Brandon Beard, partner KPMG LLP (U.S.) and other select U.S. lead partners within the KPMG Transactions and Restructuring practice.

The broadcast will be moderated by KPMG LLP (U.S.) National Smart Grid leader Ron Clanton. Joining Ron from KPMG LLP (U.S.) will be Todd Durocher, managing director, Advisory services, and Shane Hendricks, senior manager, IT Enabled Transformation.

Discussion topics will include:

• Current status on smart grid projects
• Lessons learned?
• Biggest challenges and future hurdles

The broadcast will be hosted by John Gimigliano, principal-in-charge of KPMG LLP's (U.S.) Energy Sustainability Tax practice. Joining John on the KPMG LLP (U.S.) panel is Katherine Breaks, managing director, Energy Sustainability Tax practice; Katherine Blue, managing director, Climate Change & Sustainability practice; and Frederick Morris, director, Strategic Services Group.

Discussion topics will include:

• KPMG's Business Perspective on Sustainable Growth: Preparing for Rio+20 and the key trends, issues and opportunities that affect the energy industry
• Alternative energy grant-eligible projects and best practices
• Renewables deployment update

Discussion topics will include:

• Legislative and policy outlook
• Domestic federal update - Repair regulations
• International update - New regulations under sections 901, 909 and 861
• How will the fiscal condition of states impact legislative proposal on shale?

On behalf of the KPMG Global Energy Institute, you are invited to participate in an upcoming audio webcast that will discuss leading practices, case studies and key considerations on the use of digital and social media.  We will explore the potential to transform how a company operates as well as the need for prudent management of key capabilities.

This webcast will be moderated by Bob Bergbauer, principal, KPMG LLP (U.S.) Business Effectiveness Services practice. Joining Bob on the KPMG LLP (U.S.) panel will be John Hair, director, Social media Risk and Compliance practice, Lucas Tasa, Manager, Customer Strategy and Growth practice, and Mitchell Steinberg, senior associate, Internal audit, Risk and Compliance Services.

During this webcast, discussion topics will include points that are of direct relevance to your company regardless how mature your digital and social media programs are:

• How energy companies are using digital/social media to compete
• What are key things to get right for the energy industry
• How do you balance and manage the risk and reward of digital/social media

Please join KPMG Major Projects Advisory for a live webcast that will provide an overview of pipeline integrity management and the recently passed Pipeline Safety Act of 2011. Specific topics that will be discussed include:

• What is pipeline integrity management?
• Why is pipeline integrity management important?
• Significant incidents
• Representative impact of ineffective pipeline integrity management
• Our approach & methodology
• Thought leadership

The broadcast will be moderated by Federal Tax Partner Rod Anderson. Joining Rod on the KPMG LLP (U.S.) panel is Washington National Tax Principal and former Ways & Means Committee Senior Tax Counsel John Gimigliano and Partner Carol Conjura, and State and Local Tax Principal Glenn Todd.

During this webcast, discussion topics will include:

• State and local tax - industry issues
• Update on repair regulations for electric transmission and distribution property
• Current overview on renewable tax equity market trends in the United States

The broadcast will be moderated by KPMG LLP (U.S.) Advisory & Audit Services Principal Shawn W. Lafferty. Joining Mr. Lafferty will be KPMG LLP (UK) Director of Information Protection Services Paul Hanley, and KPMG LLP (U.S.) Director, Information Protection Services Tauseef Ghazi.

During this webcast, the international panel will compare and contrast smart grid technology trends and future outlook in the areas of:

• Data collection and usage
• Data privacy
• Cyber security attacks

During the discussion, Samir Khushalani, KPMG LLP (U.S) national lead, strategic sourcing & procurement, and Maria Jenks, KCP&L, vice president, supply chain, will engage in a lively discussion of real life examples of improving shareholder value through supply chain transformation. They will share insights from recent research sponsored by KPMG on procurement functional excellence and show how a regulated utility is implementing those leading practices as a part of reinventing its supply chain function.

This Webcast includes discussion of the agreement's impact to businesses from a risk, opportunity, regulatory, and marketplace perspective.

The panel will provide a more detailed discussion on the impacts and opportunities for businesses, including opportunities for process improvement, cost optimization, innovation, and growth that can help to respond to increasing consumer demand and generate a competitive business edge.

The program is designed to support new, expanded, or re-equipped domestic manufacturing facilities that produce specified advanced energy property. The goal of the MTC is to grow the domestic manufacturing industry for clean energy, thereby supporting the larger goals of ARRA to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Cathy Lewis, Global Tax Lead for KPMG's Energy and Natural Resources practice, moderated the broadcast. Joining Cathy on the panel were John Gimigliano, Principal-in-Charge of KPMG's Energy Sustainability Tax Group, and Katherine Breaks, a Director with KPMG's Washington National Tax practice, and one of the firm's Alternative Energy leaders.

Discussion topics will include:

• Overview of 48C: Enactment, the statute, and qualifying projects
• Summary of Treasury guidance: Application procedures and requirements
• Tax equity financing structures used to maximize the credit

Established under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Secretary of Energy is authorized to make loan guarantees to qualified projects in the belief that accelerated commercial use of these new or improved technologies will help to sustain economic growth, yield environmental benefits, and produce a more stable and secure energy supply.

This Webcast was moderated by John Gimigliano, a principal in KPMG's Washington National Tax practice. The panel also included Jeremy Panacheril, who leads US Commercial Due Diligence to the cleantech and renewable energy market at KPMG LLP; and Gary Klein, who is a Partner in the Federal Affairs and Legislative Practice of DLA Piper.

The Webcast discussion includes:

• Fundamentals of the 1703 and 1705 solicitations
• Key financing considerations
• Application process, fees and timing
• DOE's acceptance criteria and weighting
• Pre-qualified lender program
• Approaches to differentiating your application

Katherine Breaks, Director with KPMG's Washington National Tax practice, moderated the Webcast, which featured several KPMG professionals. Panelists from KPMG are Deborah Karet, Craig Lobdell and Howard Weiner. Deborah Karet is a Senior Manager in KPMG's Washington National Tax practice. Craig Lobdell is a Director in KPMG's CFO Advisory Services practice, and Howard Weiner is a Partner in KPMG's Cost Segregation Services practice.

Discussion topics include:

• Federal Legislation for Renewable Portfolio Standard Rules
• Section 48C: Qualified Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit
• Fixed Asset Services for Alternative Energy Project Development

Alternative Energy: Year-in-Review and What's Ahead

• Outlook for alternative energy investment in 2009, 2010, and beyond
• Update on the renewable energy grant program
• Update on section 48C credit allocations

Legislative Outlook

• Renewable Portfolio Standards
• Clean Energy Bank
• Section 48C
• Cap and trade

Technical Accounting Update

• FAS 167

Senator Daschle is a Special Public Policy Advisor in the Legislative and Public Policy Group of Alston & Bird's Washington, D.C. office. He advises clients on a wide range of public policy issues, with a particular emphasis on energy and health care. With more than 25 years of service in the House of Representatives and the Senate and 10 years as Senate Democratic Leader, Senator Daschle has played an instrumental role in the development of U.S. energy policy for almost three decades.

Discussion topics will include:

• Outlook for Congressional consideration of pending climate change legislation
• Obama Administration's Climate Change Policy
• What are critical issues that need to be addressed to move to final passage?
• Outlook for Administration's carbon management regulations
• EPA's Proposed Mandatory Reporting Rule
• EPA's Endangerment Finding
• Outlook for Industry
• What should industry do to prepare?

Despite the economic downturn, most power and utility companies are still either planning or executing major construction projects. Declining budgets, increased scrutiny from a myriad of stakeholders, and zero tolerance for project failures are placing enormous pressure on companies to deliver successful projects. The principal defense mechanism against project failures are Project Controls: Policies, procedures and systems designed to protect against, mitigate and manage undesirable project outcomes. Yet many power and utility companies struggle with developing and implementing the controls and risk management processes necessary to protect against cost and schedule overruns or other project issues.

Geno Armstrong, KPMG's Global Practice Leader for Major Projects, will provide an update on the construction markets in the U.S. affecting power and utility construction projects, and discuss frameworks and strategies for developing and implementing the controls needed to successfully deliver large, complex power and utility construction projects. Geno will be joined by Dale Huntingford, Director of Major Projects for Enbridge Pipelines, Inc.

Ginger Menown, KPMG Forensic National Energy Leader, will moderate the Webcast, which will feature a panel of KPMG professionals from the Energy Forensic Advisory practice. Joining Ginger will be Kelli Brooks, BA Boit and James Arnold.

Kelli is a principal in KPMG's Forensic Technology Services practice and serves as the National Service Line Leader for KPMG's Evidence & Discovery Management offering. BA is also a principal in KPMG's Forensic Technology Services practice serves as a national service line leader for Digital Evidence Recovery. James is a director in KPMG's Records Risk Management Services practice.

Cathy Lewis, National Sector Leader for Power and Utilities, moderated the broadcast. Joining Cathy on the panel from KPMG were Federal Tax partner Rod Anderson; Washington National Tax principal John Gimigliano; and State and Local Tax partner Glenn Todd.

The Webcast discussed the following subjects featured in the House bill:

• New grant program for renewable energy projects in lieu of tax credits
• Long-term extension and modification of renewable energy production tax credit
• Temporary election to claim the investment tax credit in lieu of the production tax credit
• Extension of bonus depreciation
• Enhanced R&D credit
• Tax credits for alternative fuel pumps
• Additional tax credit bonds for investments in alternative energy
• The state and local tax implications of the proposed legislation.

The discussion topics include:

• Outlook for Global Mergers and Acquisitions Activity in Renewable Energy for 2010
• Update on DOE Loan Program
• Construction commencement under the Federal Energy Renewable Program

Discussion topics include:

• Legislative and regulatory outlook for the renewable energy sector under the new Congress
• Outlook for the tax equity market in the post-grant world
• Update on California Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

To this end, we invite you to join us as we take an inside look at corporate fraud and misconduct, drawn from the first-hand experiences and perceptions of more than 5,000 employees nationally.

Find out what they told us about the nature and prevalence of corporate misconduct, and the impact of ethics and compliance programs on employee perceptions and behaviors. Also learn about what's changed over the years since we began conducting this survey-and what has not.

The discussion topics include:

• Fundamentals of Carbon Accounting in the GHG Reporting Process
• Technical Considerations of Carbon Accounting
• Update on Carbon Accounting Standards Development.

Jon Wierda, KPMG Advisory partner and National Leader for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Power & Utilities, will co-moderate this session with Molly Hollonbeck, KPMG Managing Director in Transaction Services. The broadcast will address the International Accounting Standards Board's (IASB's) exposure draft on rate regulated activities.

The Webcast will feature Michael Kraehnke, KPMG partner and IASB staff member who worked on the rate regulated project, and other KPMG Power & Utility professionals. This promises to be a compelling, interactive presentation on one of the most highly-anticipated IFRS topics in the power and utilities industry.

• Linking Convergence and Conversion
• Conversion Projects – Issues and Challenges
• Accounting Topics – Discussion on Selected Issues
  • Leasing
  • Revenue Recognition

Jon Wierda, KPMG Advisory partner and National Leader for IFRS in Power & Utilities, moderated the Webcast. Joining Jon were Cynthia Marple and Martin Wheatcroft from National Grid. Marple serves as the Director of Rates and Regulatory Affairs for AGA. Wheatcroft is Vice President U.S. Accounting Services and Controller for National Grid and formerly was head of accounting for the company's British utilities. The panel also featured Bob Bergbauer, KPMG Advisory principal and National Leader for Regulatory Services.

Discussion topics may include:

• History of Regulatory Accounting
• Challenges of Supporting Regulatory Accounting within IFRS
• What conversion means for natural gas and electric utilities
• Regulatory impact of IFRS
• Lesson learned from the marketplace.

Jon Wierda, KPMG Advisory partner and National Leader for IFRS in Power & Utilities, moderated the Webcast. Joining Jon were Colin Fraser, Manager of Financial Reporting and Accounting Policy for Hydro One, who is based in Toronto, Canada. Joe Martin, Chief Accounting Officer for the American Gas Association, was also on the panel.

Joining the panel from KPMG were Martin Schmidt and Michael Nesta. Martin is a partner with KPMG's Economic and Valuation Services practice and is based in Philadelphia, PA. Michael is a director in KPMG's Transaction Services practice and is based in Dallas, TX.

Ginger Menown, KPMG Forensic National Energy Leader, moderated the Webcast, which featured a panel of KPMG professionals from the Energy Forensic Advisory practice. Joining Ginger were John Ellison, a Forensic partner based in London; and Laura Durkin, a Director in KPMG's Forensic practice based in New York City.

Discussion topics included:

• Arbitration
• Asset tracing
• Government agency or entity as counterparty
• Current developments
• Damage calculations

Discussion topics will include:

• Recent Development with Section 861 FMV Method and Required Use of Alternate Apportionment Method (FAA 20100502F)
• FY 11 Budget Proposal Changes to Dual Capacity Taxpayer Rules
• Recent Developments for Publicly Traded Partnerships (PLR 201005018)
• Latest Insights on LIFO
• Disclosing Uncertain Tax Positions to the IRS
• How Louisiana's Proposed Interpretation of "Contractor" could affect Oil Well Service Providers

Among the topics the panel covers are:

• Update on Section 263A
• State and Local Tax Update

Among the topics they discuss are:

• Section 613
• Net Income Limitation
• Section 193 Issues
• Section 45 Guidance
• Section 199 issues
• International Provisions
• Foreign Tax Credit
• Update on year-end planning items
• Legislative Update from Capitol Hill
• State and Local Tax Implications on Recently Proposed Federal Legislation

• U.S. Legislative Outlook
• International Tax Reform - Year-end Considerations
• Foreign Tax Credit Update - UK Windfall profit Tax of 1997 (PPL and Energy)
• Recent Developments regarding IDC and 9100 Relief
• Taxpayer Penalties in 2010 and Beyond
• State Tax Developments

Mike Terracina, National Sector Leader for Oil and Gas, moderated the discussion of KPMG Tax professionals. The panel featured Washington National Tax professionals John Gimigliano, Mark Price, and Bob Swiech; State and Local Tax partner Chris Bajec; and International Tax principal Heather Crowder, and highlighted current tax issues facing companies in the oil and gas industry.

Discussion topics include:

• Key Tax Considerations in a Volatile Commodity Market
• Tax Implications of a Cap and Trade System
• Legislative Update from Capitol Hill
• State and Local Tax Implications on Recently Proposed Federal Legislation

• Legislative update
• Construction Commencement under the Federal Renewable Energy Program
• Tax Opportunities Associated with Smart Grid
• Federal Tax Update
• State and Local Tax Update: Industry Issues

The discussion topics include:

• Recent Accounting Pronouncements that May Affect Your FAS 109 Analysis
• Taxability of Grants: Section 118 Analysis
• State and Local Tax Update: Industry Issues.

The discussion topics include:

• Texas Franchise Tax Controversy Regarding the Ability to Change the Method of Computing Taxable Margin on an Amended Report
• Allocating and Apportioning Expenses between Non-oil and Oil-related Qualified Production Activities in Determining the Section 199 Deduction
• IRS Audits of Refiners' Inventory Items and Pools for LIFO Accounting Purposes
• Lack of Uniformity Among Downstream Companies on the Classification of Various Assets
• Recent IRS Ruling on Oil and Gas Sublease Transaction - PLR 200953011
• Tax Considerations of SEC Revised Reserve Reporting - Revisited
• International Tax Update: The Netherlands
• Legislative Tax Update from Capitol Hill

The broadcast is moderated by Cathy Lewis, National Sector Leader for Power and Utilities. Joining Cathy on the panel from KPMG are Federal Tax partner Rod Anderson; Washington National Tax principal John Gimigliano; and State and Local Tax partner Glenn Todd.

The panel will discuss the following subjects featured in the House bill:

• New grant program for renewable energy projects in lieu of tax credits
• Long-term extension and modification of renewable energy production tax credit
• Temporary election to claim the investment tax credit in lieu of the production tax credit
• Extension of bonus depreciation
• Enhanced R&D credit
• Tax credits for alternative fuel pumps
• Additional tax credit bonds for investments in alternative energy
• The state and local tax implications of the proposed legislation.

The grant program provides direct payments - in lieu of tax credits - equal to 30 percent of the cost of solar property placed in service during 2009 and 2010. According to the Treasury and the DOE, the initiative will offer payments to an estimated 5,000 solar and other renewable energy production facilities.

 Among the topics covered are:

• Application procedures for claiming grants
• What taxpayers and what corporate structures are grant eligible
• Clarification of commencement and placed-in service dates
• Identification of units of property
• Calculation of grant-eligible basis
• The relaxed recapture rules for grants

• Recently announced deals - what's driving them?
• The long-term perspective - where we've come from, where we're going and why - four drivers:
  • Increasing capital requirements
  • Decreasing ROEs
  • Utility deal premiums
  • Availability of HoldCo debt
• Other critical utility M&A matters:
  • How many viable IOU candidates exist?
  • What's needed to get a deal done? - PUC deal approval process
  • What drives utility cash flow risk and variability? - 10 key modeling and due diligence considerations

Madeleine K. Albright, former United States Secretary of State, delivered the keynote address titled Energy and Security in a Time of Doubt, which was streamed live via a Webcast on Tuesday, May 12th. You are invited to now watch the replay of Dr. Albright's address.

Newt Gingrich, former United States Speaker of the House and current General Chairman of American Solutions for Winning the Future, will deliver the keynote address titled "A Contract with the Earth: 'The Case for Green Conservatism,'" which will be streamed live on Tuesday, May 25th at 12:40 p.m. CDT.

You are invited to participate in this unique opportunity.

• E&P Recent Trends and M&A Landscape
• E&P Case Study: Shale Gas JV Profile
• OFS Recent Trends and M&A Landscape
• OFS Case Study: Recent Deal Profile

Mike Terracina, National Sector Leader for Oil and Gas, moderated the discussion of KPMG Tax professionals. The panel featured Washington National Tax professionals John Bradford, Mark Price, Bob Swiech, and Scott Vance; State and Local Tax partner Chris Bajec; and International Tax principal Heather Crowder, and highlighted current tax issues facing companies in the oil and gas industry.

Discussion topics included:

• Hedging - Current Trends and Traps for the Unwary from a Federal, State, and International Perspective
• Proposed Repair Regulations
• Tax Considerations of SEC Revised Reserve Reporting

Mike Terracina, National Sector Leader for Oil and Gas, will moderate a discussion of KPMG Tax professionals. The panel will feature Washington National Tax Principal John Gimigliano and Director Bob Swiech; State and Local Tax Principal Nikki Crighton; and International Corporate Tax Principal Heather Crowder.

Discussion topics will include:

• Status of significant legislation impacting businesses in the energy industry
• Key provisions of the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which will include:
  • oil and gas provisions
  • international provisions
  • carried interest provisions
• State tax update

Kevin Book began the discussion with an overview of cap and trade. ClearView Energy Partners then provided its corporate and financial-sector clients with projections of "what's next" in Washington, analysis of how government actions affect energy fundamentals, and guidance to help financial and physical players in the sector minimize risk and maximize value.

This Webcast is moderated by Ron Clanton, a partner in KPMG's Advisory practice, as well as the KPMG National Sector Leader for Smart Grid. Ron has more than 29 years experience helping companies improve their market position by implementing operational changes, expanding or redefining the markets they serve, and adapting to regulatory changes.

Ron is joined by Shawn Lafferty, a principal in KPMG's Advisory practice. Shawn has 20 years of experience in IT Advisory and Internal Audit. Since 1996, he has worked with KPMG's Power Utility, Energy, and High-Tech Manufacturing clients assessing the areas of IT Security, Computer Operations, Application Controls, Data Integrity and Business Resumption Planning.

The myriad new data elements available via devices and systems, such as smart meters, provide tremendous value potential in terms of new business capabilities as well as a multiplier effect to leverage additional value from existing investments.

This audio Webcast discusses the role of data as a transformation driver and present an example-driven process to extract value from Smart Grid Data. The discussion topics include:

• The Impact of Smart Grid
• The Role of Data as a Transformation Driver
• How to Extract Value from Data

The Webcast discussion will include:

• Overview of Smart Grid and the SGIG program
• Smart Grid related legislation update
• Important considerations for SGIG application process
• SGIG application requirements
• Critical SGIG application topics.

This Webcast was moderated by Ron Clanton, a partner in KPMG's Advisory practice, as well as the KPMG National Sector Leader for smart grid. Ron was joined by Samuel T. Walsh, an Associate with Hogan & Hartson LLP where his practice focuses on energy law; and Stephen Doroff, who is a director in KPMG's Advisory Services. Steve focuses on smart grid initiatives and smart grid change management and business integration efforts. He is a nationally recognized thought leader on meter data management, complex billing and rate structures, and outage analysis solutions.

Under the smart grid umbrella, many utilities have spawned automated Advanced Measurement Infrastructure (AMI) projects. These systems inherently create data privacy and security risks because of the nature and volume of the information they collect. Utilities implementing AMI recognize that advanced metering infrastructure changes the face of the traditional utility security by extending two-way communications all the way to the customer.

This Webcast will be moderated by Ron Clanton, a partner in KPMG's Advisory practice, as well as the KPMG National Sector Leader for Smart Grid. Ron will be joined by Joel Garmon, Director of Information Security, Florida Power & Light Company; Tere' Bracco, Senior Manager of Marketing, Cisco CMO, who is responsible for the strategy and execution of solutions marketing for Cisco's smart grid portfolio; and Greg Bell, KPMG's Global and Americas leader, Information Protection and Business Resilience Services.

Under the smart grid umbrella, many utilities have spawned automated Advanced Measurement Infrastructure projects. Others have launched transmission and distribution asset management improvements. Still others have focused on improving overall the collection and management of grid activities and behaviors.

In this Webcast, utilities executives and analysts discuss the variety of "real life" experiences with their smart grid initiatives. The Webcast includes discussion of business drivers, challenges and lessons learned from panel members.

Our broadcast will be moderated by Molly Chilakapati, a Managing Director in KPMG's Accounting Advisory Services practice. Joining Molly will be Randy Wilson, a partner in KPMG's CFO Advisory Services practice; Donna Henderson, Assistant Controller for RRI Energy, Inc.; and Jim Ingoldsby, Corporate Controller of NRG Energy, Inc.

Discussion topics will include:

• Overview of Cap and Trade
• Risk Management Challenges
• Technical Accounting Considerations
• Carbon Emissions Credit Application Experience

• Highlights of the Dodd-Frank Act
• Issues for energy companies
• CFTC rulemaking
• What energy companies can do to prepare

• Current economic environment for oil and gas companies
• Transfer pricing challenges in the supply chain environment
• Transfer pricing opportunities throughout the supply chain, including tax-efficient structures
• Current fiscal environment and key takeway points for companies to consider

Discussion topics included:

• Modernization of the SEC Oil and Gas Reserve Rules and Related Interpretative Guidance
• Status of FASB's Update to Topic 932, Extractive Activities - Oil and Gas
• Discussion of Key Reporting and Disclosure Decisions to be Considered
• Review of Recent SEC Comment Letter Observations on Oil and Gas Disclosures.

De Boer, the former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, has participated in negotiations for the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord.

Overall, De Boer maintained a positive outlook for an international agreement on climate change, but he said the Copenhagen Conference focused too much on the politics of an international agreement on climate change rather than on the practical aspects.