Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata’s practice encompasses federal and state legislative and administrative issues in the areas of energy, environment, natural resources, international trade (technology transfer and independent power project development), and transportation-related matters.

Mr. Yamagata represents clients before the Departments of Energy, Commerce, Transportation, Defense and State, as well as the Office of Management and Budget and the Environmental Protection Agency, on both project-specific and programmatic issues that relate particularly to technology research, development, demonstration, and deployment relating to the use of coal and other fossil and renewable energy resources. Mr. Yamagata has advised clients on energy and environmental technology projects as well as provided counsel and representation in the structuring and advocacy for government programs such as the Department of Energy’s clean coal technology development and demonstration programs and financial incentive programs (e.g., loan guarantees and clean coal tax credits) that were authorized as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Mr. Yamagata serves as the Executive Director of the Coal Utilization Research Council (CURC), a coalition of industry and educational institutions with an interest in promoting clean coal technology.

Government Service

U.S. Senate

• Counsel/Staff Director, Subcommittee on Energy Research and Development, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 1975-1977
• Legislative Counsel, Senator Frank Church (D-ID), 1974-1975
• Professional Staff Member, Special Committee on Aging, 1972-1974

Speaking Engagements

• Renewable Energy Tax Incentives and Loan Guarantees Under the New Stimulus Plan, March 18, 2009
• NGA Summit on Clean Power and Efficiency, May 6, 2008
• U.S. Department of Commerce's "Powering Our Low Carbon Future", February 5, 2008
• Webinar: Americans for Balanced Energy Choices, October 18, 2007

News

• Van Ness Feldman's Ben Yamagata Quoted in Greenwire on EPA Carbon Rule's Impact on CCS Development
• Van Ness Feldman Assists Client in Drafting Successful Tax Credit Application Resulting in Over $100 Million
• Ben Yamagata Testifies Before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Carbon Capture and Sequestration
• Ben Yamagata Interviewed on the Inclusion of CCS in Future Climate Change Legislation