The Impact of State & Federal Tax Developments for Clean Energy

Please note advanced registration is now closed. Please contact Abbey Strauss with any questions via astrauss@cleanenergycouncil.org.

The Impact of State & Federal

Tax Developments for Clean Energy

Wednesday, May 7th, 8:00am - 10:30am

Hosted by

75 State Street, 13th Floor, Boston, MA

Find out how the latest regulatory and legislative tax developments will affect the clean energy industry and your company. We will cover the outlook for extending expired federal tax incentives, what the latest tax reform proposals could mean for the clean energy industry, and how to keep up with the evolving state and local tax landscape.

Event Agenda:

8:00-8:30 Networking Breakfast

8:30-8:40 Introductions

8:40-10:00 Panel Discussion

10:00-10:30 Q &A

Confirmed Panelists:

Todd Keller, Vice President, Federal Policy, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE)

Rob Michaelis, Managing Director, State and Local Tax, Grant Thornton

Alan Osmolowski, Tax Partner, Grant Thornton

Dustin Stamper, Director, Washington National Tax Office, Grant Thornton

Moderated by:

Janet Gail Besser, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs, NECEC

Panelist Biographies:

Janet Gail Besser, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs, NECEC

Janet brings deep expertise and credibility to lead NECEC’s policy and government relations efforts. Most recently she was Vice President of Regulatory Strategy and Policy at National Grid, and previously was Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Janet has been in senior roles in the Massachusetts Energy Office and New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, and has been an executive and expert consultant on electricity markets, transmission, policy and economics at two leading consulting firms: Analysis Group and Lexecon. She also brings experience as policy director for a DC-based national independent power industry association, and is a nationally recognized expert on a wide range of energy policy issues with deep relationships across the industry.

Todd Keller, Vice President, Federal Policy, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE)

Todd Keller is responsible for representing AEE on matters of federal policy, legislation, and regulation. Keller also works to build the Accelerating Energy Leadership Political Action Committee (AccelPAC), a non-connected federal political action committee that supports candidates who champion diversifying American energy sources, promoting regional economic development, and fostering a positive environment for advanced energy businesses. Prior to joining AEE, Todd directed legislative efforts for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) on public land policy, which included responsible energy development on our nation’s landscapes.

For nearly 20 years Keller has developed and executed comprehensive campaign strategies for associations, nonprofit organizations, coalitions, political candidates, and elected officials. He has lobbied for local, state and national organizations and directed congressional, mayoral and issue campaigns in Ohio, Colorado, and New Jersey. Before NWF, Keller was Director of Recreation Policy for the Outdoor Industry Association, responsible for the entire recreation agenda including funding for and access to public lands. He also held positions with the National Environmental Trust/Pew Environment Group, where he was assigned to “campaign teams” and worked with directors to develop integrated media, grassroots and legislative strategies. Before arriving in Washington, Keller was a senior staff member for the Mayor of Cincinnati where he was charged with media operations, legislative activities, outreach to the business community, and the overall public affairs program of the Mayor’s office. He is a native Ohioan and graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, daughters Tess and Lilah, and two German Shepherds.

Rob Michaelis, Managing Director, State and Local Tax, Grant Thornton

Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Rob spent approximately ten years with Big Four accounting firms, namely with PricewaterhouseCoopers most recently as a director in the state and local tax practice. Additionally, Rob spent over three years with RSM McGladrey, and was a partner and the practice leader of the Great Lakes regional SALT practice. Rob has also spent two years as the vice president of tax for an $18 billion distributor of grocery products. In such roles, Rob has gained significant experience in providing strategic tax planning and restructuring services, along with due diligence/transition review and state tax compliance services, which has covered not only income/franchise taxes, but also sales/use taxes, property taxes, and state employment taxes, as well. Additionally, Rob has experience in unclaimed property issues. Alan is a tax partner in our New England practices that specializes in working with clean energy technology comapnies.

Alan Osmolowski, Tax Partner, Grant Thornton

Alan has over 25 years' experience as a tax professional. He joined Grant Thornton as a partner in 2011. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Alan was the Tax Practice Leader of CCR LLP, one of the largest regional CPA firms in the US at the time. Alan is the lead partner for the New England Technology Industry Practice. Grant Thornton's Technology Industry Practice group specializes in working with growing dynamic companies in the technology and life sciences area. Alan provides tax and business consulting services to a broad range of clients, including manufacturing, distribution, technology, life sciences and emerging business. He has worked with privately held, private equity backed and public companies. Areas of expertise incldue ASC-740, inventory accounting methods, Subchapter S, Subchapter K, stock based compensation, state and local tax compliance and tax planning for privately held companies.

Dustin Stamper, Director, Washington National Tax Office, Grant Thornton

Dustin is responsible for monitoring tax legislative and regulatory activity for the firm. Dustin’s duties also include providing legislative and regulatory updates both internally and externally for clients and potential clients; developing and editing marketing and public relations material; communicating with legislative staff on tax priorities; coordinating the Washington National Tax Office’s press coverage; preparing technical analyses of regulatory and legislative developments; and editing and writing both published articles and official comments on regulatory matters. Dustin spent four years on Capitol Hill for Tax Analysts covering Federal and State tax legislative developments - as well as regulatory developments at the IRS and Treasury.