The panel, held on August 18 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was titled “The Future of Electric Energy: Improving Reliability,” and addressed questions including: What technologies or techniques are coming to improve grid resilience and restoration? Will the new technologies introduce new physical or Cybersecurity risks? Are these currently being implemented…and by whom?

Stephanie focuses on business and commercial litigation, with experience in both energy litigation and regulatory practice. She assists her clients in developing effective strategies to resolve litigation efficiently and defending them zealously in state and federal courts and arbitration hearings. She has almost 10 years of experience representing energy clients, including utilities, retail electric providers (REPs) and energy banking clients, in various breach of contract and other business litigation lawsuits. In the regulatory arena, Stephanie has experience in interpreting and complying with the complex regulatory requirements that govern REPs and utilities’ operations within the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and represents electric industry clients in various regulatory dockets and contested cases before the PUCT. Stephanie also assists clients in electric energy transactions, with a particular emphasis on the renewable energy sector. Ms. Sparks received her B.A., with honors, from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law.