Latham & Watkins writes with news of the following event, a part of the firm’s Cleantech Breakfast Series:
“The federal government’s stimulus programs for cleantech energy technologies, products and services provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2008 have been in place for almost two years. Federal funding in the form of contracts, tax credits, grants and loan guarantees has been highly debated and in some cases, earmarked and distributed. Moreover, government grants for certain renewable energy projects were recently extended through 2011 in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Authorization and Job Creation Act of 2010.
- Have these stimulus programs proven to be a valuable source of capital and supplemental revenue for cleantech energy companies, especially those backed by venture capital?
- Where are these programs going next?
- What are the lessons of the past two years from these programs for the federal government, startup companies, their investors and their advisors?
- What are the downsides of federal government financing support (especially for those companies which don’t absolutely need such support)?
- What is the future landscape for federal government financing support for cleantech energy technologies, products and services?
- If there is no additional general federal stimulus bill for cleantech energy similar to the Recovery Act, is there still a possibility of significant federal financing support for cleantech energy investments in the foreseeable future?
- Are there alternatives to federal financing support?
Our speakers, all with hands-on experience dealing with these issues, will explore the answers to these questions and others.” Speakers will include Greg Chin, Julie Marion, Mike Gergen, Harrison Welford, Patrick Pohlen, Dave Schwartz, Jared Johnson, and Dave Rogers.