Vermont Law School will offer a unique new course this summer designed to help senior electric utility executives gain a better understanding of the legal basics critical to operating an effective utility company.
The rigorous two-week class will give executives the legal foundation to more fully understand the utility regulatory framework, the role of federal and state energy regulatory commissions and how to operate more effectively within these structures.
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) supported VLS’s Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEE) development of the course, which is modeled after similar utility executive trainingcourses at MIT andthe University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
‘We expect 12 to 15 high-potential, forward-thinking electric utility executives to attend this special course,’ said Professor Michael Dworkin, director of the IEE.
Beginning with the basic functions of government and building on the interplay among state, federal and regional oversight when planning new energy infrastructure, the VLS course will offer a broad overview of the legal framework governing the utility.
‘Many utility executives work their way through the utility ranks from business and engineering backgrounds and don't have a strong understanding of the law as it relates to running a utility business,’ Dworkin said. ‘EPRI recognized this gap in the executive training ranks and asked VLS to fill it.’
Mike Howard, EPRI’s president and CEO, said VLS’s course, titled ‘Legal Essentials for Utility Executives,’ will be of great value to its attendees. ‘This is a must-attend program for utility executives interested in building their credentials and gaining a better understanding of the laws and lawyers they will have to effectively deal with throughout their career,’ he said.
EPRI, an independent, nonprofit organization, conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public.
The VLS course will be June 17-30 at the Vermont State House in Montpelier. Registration deadline is March 15. More information is available at www.vermontlaw.edu/legalessentials
Vermont Law School, a private, independent institution, has the top-ranked environmental law program and one of the top-ranked clinical training programs in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. VLS offers a Juris Doctor curriculum that emphasizes public service, a Master of Environmental Law and Policydegree and two post-JD degrees, the Master of Laws in Environmental Law and the LLM in American Legal Studies (for foreign-trained lawyers). The school features innovative experiential programs and is home to the Environmental Law Center and the South Royalton Legal Clinic. For more information, visit www.vermontlaw.edu.
SOUTH ROYALTON, VT ‘‘2.1.2012
New Vermont Law School course to show legal ropes to utility executives
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on