The realities of climate change, the disruption to traditional energy supplies caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the economic turmoil caused by the global pandemic have all contributed to a rapid acceleration in the transition to green energy in the United States and the European Union, as well as in the digitization of the business sectors. Italy and California are among the leaders in this transition. This program will discuss the legal and financial issues for investors who want to participate in a green energy economy in Italy or in California.

The European Green Deal and the Italian PNRR were adopted, in part, as an economic stimulus plan in response to the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic. It has resulted in a remarkable amount of public investments coming to Italy from Bruxelles – more than 230 Billion euro over four years – of a size unmatched by the Marshall Plan.

The European Green Deal is aiming at making the EU’s economy as the forefront of this challenge. It covers all sectors of the economy, including: (1) the energy green revolution and ecological transition and (2) the infrastructure for sustainable mobility. Coupled with the Next Generation EU (NGEU), which also deals with the digitization of the economy, the temporary instrument designed to boost the recovery, it is the largest stimulus package ever financed in Europe. The Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan translates this opportunity into action. With the RRP and its reforms, Italy will be a greener and more digital country, with a more competitive, dynamic, and innovative economy. Opportunities for investors and developers will be discussed.

California has always been a leader in the transition to clean energy, including the development of wind and solar energy and the support for electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure. California’s recent decision to ban the sale of gasoline powered vehicles by the year 2035 is another example of this leadership. California’s most recent budget includes over $47 billion as a “climate commitment,” which includes investments in a number of clean energy initiatives. The recent adoption of the Inflation Reduction Act by the U.S. Congress will provide over $360 billion in federal funding to address climate change. These state and federal investments provide opportunities for private investors to participate in the transition to a green energy economy.

• Welcome Remarks 09:00 am PST (18:00 Milan Time)
  • Jeremy M. Evans, President of California Lawyers Association  
  • Vinicio Nardo, President of the Milan Bar Association
  • Francesca Maria Zanasi, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Milan Bar Association
  • Richard Bainter, Chair of the International Law and Immigration Section of California Lawyers Association  

• Presentation by the Milan Bar Association 09:10 am PST (18:10 Milan Time)
• Topic: The Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan: Public and private investments and incentives aiming at the green and digital transition of the economy.
  • Davide Taliente, Director of the Foreign Investments Attraction Office at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development
  • Alberto Acito, Head of the Foreign Direct Investment Unit at the Italian Trade Agency in San Francisco

• Presentation by California Lawyers Association, 09:40 am PST (18:40 Milan Time)
  • Stephen Cheung, President, World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA), and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)
  • Emily Desai, Deputy Director for the International Affairs and Trade, GO-Biz (the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development), the State of California

• Round Table on: “FDI in the Energy and Environmental Sectors” with two participants from each Bar Association at 10:10 am PST (19:10 Milan Time)
  • Moderator, Salvatore Domenico Zannino, Foreign Affairs Committee of the Milan Bar
  • Milan Bar Association speakers: Riccardo G. Cajola, Foreign Affairs Committee of the Milan Bar and Maria Benedetta Francesconi, General Manager, project management and technical support of the NRRP at the Ministry of Ecologic Transition
  • California Lawyers Association speaker: Ryan M. F. Baron, Partner, Best Best & Krieger LLP; Immediate Past Chair, CLA Board of Representatives. 
• Topic: Investments in Italy on infrastructures for sustainable mobility – Electric car chargers for both residential and public spaces
  • Representative of the Ministry for the Environmental Transition (TBC)
  • California Lawyers Association Speakers: Marcus J. Williams, Shareholder, Buchalter APC

• Closing Remarks, 10:40 am PST (19:40 Milan Time)
  • Richard Bainter, Chair of the International Law and Immigration Section of California Lawyers Association
  • Francesca Maria Zanasi, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Milan Bar Association