Representatives of Archer Public Affairs LLC (APA) recently met with a delegation of government and business leaders from the Republic of Indonesia to provide an overview of the role of government and politics in U.S. and regional energy markets and regulations, with a focus on renewable energy, as part of a U.S. State Department program.

The Indonesian delegation also met with representatives of Archer & Greiner P.C., APA's law firm affiliate. The delegation is in the area for a program entitled “Sustainable Cities: A Project for Indonesia.” Their itinerary also includes meetings with business leaders from the renewable energy industry and with government officials, including representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the administration of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State under its International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the visit is being coordinated locally by Citizen Diplomacy International of Philadelphia, the region’s official international relations organization and the exclusive partner of the U.S. Department of State’s premier exchange program for eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

The energy program took place on Friday June 13, 2014, at Archer & Greiner in Haddonfield, N.J. After Archer & Greiner Chairman James H. Carll delivered welcoming remarks, Richard S. Mroz and Bill Caruso addressed the delegation about the role of government and politics in development projects, and specifically alternative energy projects. Mr. Mroz and Mr. Caruso are both Of Counsel to the law firm and additionally serve as Managing Director and Co-Managing Director, respectively, of Archer Public Affairs LLC, a wholly owned government affairs affiliate of Archer & Greiner P.C.

Mr. Mroz then provided an overview of U.S. and regional energy policy and regulation, both at the state and federal levels, including the role of renewable energy sources currently and in the future. David A. Weinstein, Partner in the Archer & Greiner’s Alternative and Renewable Energy Practice Group, spoke about financial structuring of renewable energy projects, including tax credits and other incentives, and the current state of the renewable energy marketplace.   

Located on the equator in Southeast Asia between the Asian and Australian continents, Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous nation. As Indonesia seeks to meet its energy export obligations and earn revenues through international market sales, the country is also trying to meet demand at home, in part by working to increase the use of renewable energy.

Objectives for the delegation during the trip include review of: U.S. energy policies at the federal, state and municipal levels, including trends in energy production and distribution; alternative and renewable energy approaches; urban planning; and green building regulations. Organizers approached Archer & Greiner to host the energy overview because the firm’s Alternative and Renewable Energy Practice Group has been at the forefront of the planning, development and implementation of alternative and renewable energy projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

APA provides full-service government and regulatory affairs advice and advocacy to businesses, organizations and individuals.