Powering the future: policy frameworks for U.S. data centers

In this webinar, we will explore the critical policy frameworks that govern the operation and expansion of data centers. Our discussion will cover the following key topics:

• The role of government policies in shaping the data center industry
• Best practices for compliance with local and federal regulations
• Strategies for engaging with policymakers and stakeholders
• Case studies of successful policy implementations in various regions

Speakers:

Senator Kyrsten Sinema

Senior Advisor, Hogan Lovells

Senator Kyrsten Sinema brings a distinguished record of public service and bipartisan leadership as Senior Advisor in Hogan Lovells’ Government Relations and Public Affairs practice.

Senator Sinema represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives for a combined 12 years, where she built a reputation for navigating complex political landscapes and developed a proven track record of working across the political spectrum to deliver impactful legislative outcomes.

Known for her ability to collaborate across the aisle, Senator Sinema delivered meaningful and measurable results—including writing and negotiating the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Law, and the CHIPS and Science Law, the Electoral Count Reform Law, and more.

During her tenure in Congress, Senator Sinema served on high-profile committees including, the Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, working to consistently advance practical solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing economic, national security and trade issues.

At the highest levels of the political process, Senator Sinema thoughtfully dissects policy issues and provides balanced solutions to legislative challenges. Her measured approach to the complexities of Washington’s political and regulatory process, combined with her firsthand experience at the center of federal decision-making, positions Senator Sinema as a trusted advocate for clients seeking to achieve meaningful results in Washington, to drive their business initiatives forward.

Kyrsten currently serves as the President and CEO of the Arizona Business Roundtable and is a member of Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council. She is a Distinguished Professor of Practice at the Arizona State University School of Social Work.

Chip Cannon

Partner, Hogan Lovells

For almost 30 years, Chip Cannon has advised clients with a holistic view of the U.S. power sector, from regulatory, markets, policy, and commercial perspectives. His career has progressed parallel to the evolution of the U.S. power sector and the development of markets, allowing Chip to develop a broad-based practical “know-how” on all issues arising under the Federal Power Act, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, as well as under state public utility and clean energy statutes. His vast experience also includes advising clients on behind-the-meter structures, including data centers co-located with generation resources.

Chip champions his clients by playing a central role in drafting and negotiating strategic agreements for electric generation resource developers, owners, and operators, including physical and financial power sales agreements, energy management and scheduling agreements and shared facilities agreement.  He also regularly advises clients on maneuvering through the generator and large load interconnection processes.  With a clientele of independent power producers, large-scale energy consumers, and other regulated electric utilities, he has established himself as a leader in the U.S. power sector.

Stewart Forbes

Counsel, Hogan Lovells

Stewart Forbes is Counsel in the energy regulatory practice group. He joined Hogan Lovells after spending over ten years at the Department of Energy (DOE). Stewart’s tenure at DOE involved work with many DOE program offices, laboratories and sites. Stewart is leveraging that experience here at Hogan Lovells to advise clients across the energy production, energy efficiency, and advanced technology sectors. His clients include advanced nuclear reactor developers, data centers, major U.S. manufacturers working at DOE laboratories, and appliance manufacturers subject to DOE efficiency regulations.

During his DOE tenure, Stewart pioneered several novel programs to leverage U.S. Government assets in unique ways. He pioneered efforts to make DOE federal lands available to private sector developers including data center developers and nuclear utilities. Stewart helped rewrite DOE regulations to bring a commercial focus to government agreements. He helped create the Civil Nuclear Credits Program, the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, and the Department of Defense’s Project PELE. Stewart has a reputation as a creative legal thinker who can advise clients on the best way to work within statutory and regulatory constraints to achieve their business goals.

At Hogan Lovells, Stewart focuses his practice on Department of Energy activities, lab agreements, and funding opportunities. He’s recognized as a knowledge leader as relates to energy and data centers, DOE authorities, national laboratories, energy development, and the siting of private sector assets on federal land. He graduated magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo School of Law, where he specialized in corporate transactions.