The Centrenergo visit coincided with the Ukrainian president’s meeting with President Trump and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, who also discussed coal exports. Pittsburgh-based Reed Smith partner Robert (Bob) P. Simons worked with Ryan Russell of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Embassy in Kiev and the Department of Energy (DOE) to organize the visit by Mr. Oleg Kozemko’s, Centrenergo’s CEO, and his executive team.
Reed Smith lawyers worked with Robindale Energy and the U. S. Department of Commerce to organize a tour for the delegation of Robindale’s Seward Power Plant. Reed Smith then hosted a special roundtable discussion with Centrenergo on the state of the U. S. Coal Industry and low-carbon technologies. The firm tailored the tour and roundtable to Centrenergo’s particular interest in anthracite coal import, anthracite/bituminous blend fuel technology, lowering plant emissions, alternative dispute resolution options, environmental compliance issues, and cyber security.
Attending the roundtable discussion were representatives from the offices of three members of congress: U.S. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s of Pennsylvania’s 5th District, and Congressman Keith Rothfus of Pennsylvania’s 12th District, who, together are seeking new ways to promote economic development in the region. Also in attendance were Ryan Russell of the United States Commerce office, Jared Griffith of Alliance Coal, Jeff Hayden of Somerset Coal International, and Doug Farnham of PFBC Environmental Energy Technology.
At the roundtable, Reed Smith partners Bob Simons, Dwight A. Howes, and Brad A. Funari gave an overview of the firm’s global Energy and Natural resources capabilities, including its energy-focused office in Kazakhstan, and the firm’s full-service approach to coal and other energy commodities. Associates Sasha Williams and Anya Lernatovych accompanied the Centrenergo team on the tour and attended the roundtable, providing invaluable translation of highly technical content into English and Ukrainian.
“I want to thank Reed Smith for organizing the meeting and connecting us with the resources which would resolve our long-enduring coal supply issues,” said Mr. Kozemko. “We can now import coal with confidence.”
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 27 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, entertainment and media, shipping and transport, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing and technology, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
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