Fourth Annual Regulatory Symposium: Inflation-Killers?

Please join Steptoe for our Fourth Annual Regulatory Symposium on Thursday, November 10, where we will discuss inflation and regulation.

Come watch some of the most influential policymakers in the nation in the federal regulated industry space express their thoughts on inflation and its implications for regulatory policy. Our distinguished guests include Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission; Martin J. Oberman, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board; and Matt Christiansen, General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

Also, come see leading thinkers on competition, rates, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters, and the doctrine of major questions add their own thoughts in the breakout sessions.

Program Agenda:

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Registration and Lunch

12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Opening Plenary Session

• Martin J. Oberman, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board
• Matt Christiansen, General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Marc Spitzer, Partner, Steptoe and former commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Moderated by Pantelis Michalopoulos, Partner, Steptoe

2:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Antitrust Enforcement and Inflation: Part of the Problem or the Solution? 

Speakers: 

• Albert A. (“Bert”) Foer, Founder and Senior Fellow, American Antitrust Institute
• John Mayo, Professor at McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University
• Andrew Sweeting, Professor, University of Maryland; and former head of the FTC Bureau of Economics
• Moderated by Michael Weiner, Partner, Steptoe

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – When is a Question Major: Federal Agency Power After West Virginia vs. EPA 

Speakers:

• Patrick Morrisey, Attorney General of West Virginia
• Janna Chesno, Senior Counsel, Regulatory, Projects & Policy, Cheniere Energy, Inc.
• Harold Feld, Senior Vice President, Public Knowledge
• Moderated by Jim Barnette, Partner, Steptoe and Shaun Boedicker, Associate, Steptoe

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – ESG & Economic Uncertainty 

Speakers:

• Chris Schlag, Senior Sustainability Counsel, Tyson Foods Inc.
• Allison Starmann, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, American Chemistry Council
• Ruxandra Cana, Partner, Steptoe
• Moderated by Elizabeth Cassady, Partner, Steptoe

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Evolving Standards of Rate Regulation

Speakers:

• Adam Weiskittel, AVP and Associate General Counsel, Operations, BNSF Railway
• Moderated by Tim Strafford, Partner, Steptoe

5:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. - Closing Plenary Session

• Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission
• Moderated by Pantelis Michalopoulos, Partner, Steptoe

Higher prices are affecting people all across America.  The President has made fighting them his top economic priority.  Headlines screaming inflation are on the rise, but the noise is more subdued in the world of regulation by federal agencies.  The word inflation can be more elusive in the daily grist for the regulatory mill – applications for merger approvals, for the construction of new facilities, for conditions on such projects, etc.  In fact, we often forget that the control of price hikes was at the root of many of the federal regulatory regimes.  And so, the questions abound:  What are agencies doing to fight inflation?  Does it, and should it, affect the federal agencies’ thinking on merger review, regulatory conditions, and that sometimes forgotten staple – rate regulation?  Join us on November 10 to find out. 

Additional Details:

Location: Either Steptoe's Washington office (1330 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20036) or Virtually

CLE Credit: Steptoe is an accredited CLE provider in New York and California and is pleased to offer credit for participation in our breakout sessions during the live event.  Additional information on the types of credit and number of hours is noted in the program agenda.  If you are seeking credit in other jurisdictions, please make a note in your registration form and we’ll apply on your behalf.

Health and Safety Precautions: In-person attendees will be asked to complete a short form regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status, recent travels, and potential exposure or symptoms.  Additionally, while not required by the District of Columbia, masks are recommended while not eating, drinking, or presenting.