Robert Mudge to Present on Tax Law at EBA Annual Meeting

Brattle Principal Robert Mudge will present at the 2018 Energy Bar Association (EBA) Annual Meeting & Conference, taking place May 7-8, 2018 in Washington, DC.

The conference gathers attorneys, students, and industry thought leaders to discuss the latest trends and developments in energy law, including antitrust, international energy transactions, legislation and regulatory reform, electric utility regulation, alternative dispute resolution, finance and transactions, and environment and public lands at federal, state, and international levels.

Mr. Mudge will speak during the panel session, “New Tax Law and its Impact on Rates.” The panel will discuss how the recently-passed Tax Act may impact ratemaking for interstate natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines, and electric transmission utilities. Discussion topics will include the tax law changes that may impact cost of service ratemaking, potential FERC actions, differences in approaches for utilities, rate issues, and how rate risks may vary by company.

Mr. Mudge is the co-author of a recent Brattle study outlining the implications of the new tax law for regulated utilities. The study showed that while there are bona fide effects and benefits for customers, the enthusiasm for U.S. tax rate reductions may result in unrealistic expectations as well as overshadowing some important off-setting effects.

For more information on the conference, please visit the EBA’s website.