Agenda
Saturday
Staff Subcommittee on Telecommunications
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. • Republic (2nd Floor)
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. |
Closed Session New Members Introduction FCC Update Legislative Update NRRI Update State Issues Roundtable USAC Update Planning for February |
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Networking Break |
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Panel I: Mapping The FCC recently issued a Notice on the issue of mapping. Some parties have provided suggestions for what they think can work and be accomplished in a short time period, hopefully to be used with the upcoming RuDOF proposal. Panelists will address the mapping issues and solutions. Moderator: Joe Tiernan, Massachusetts DTE Panelists: NASUCA, Invited Cost-Quest, Invited Ross Lieberman, Brian Hurley, Esq., American Cable Association, Brent Legg, Connected Nation Louis Peraertz, Vice President of Policy, Wireless Internet Service Providers Association |
12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch (on your own) |
1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Panel II: Federal USF: Contribution Reform The FCC has been urged for some time now to address the issue of supporting the federal USF. Those calls have increased as the assessment on interstate telecommunications revenues has increased, now upwards of 20%. The panelists will address the issue of funding the USF. Moderator: Cary Hinton, DC Public Service Commission Panelists: Dr. Robert Loube, Vice President, Rolka Loube Labros Pilalis, Pa. PUC, Joint Board Staff Member Pamela Sherwood Hollick, Assistant General Counsel, CenturyLink |
2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. |
Panel III: State USFs: Transformation and Change Many states have telecommunications and, increasingly, broadband universal service programs focused on availability (is it there) and affordability (are consumers able to purchase it). The panel will discuss current state USF programs and, as appropriate, their relationship to the federal USF based on cooperative federalism. Moderator: Sherry Lichtenberg, NRRI Panelists: Ben Aron, CTIA Mike Ripperger, New Mexico PRC Tim Kunkleman, Director, Government Affairs, CenturyLink Weldon Gray, CEO, Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc. |
3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Networking Break |
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Resolutions: Introduction, Discussion and Input |
Subcommittee on Education and Research
12:00–3:00 p.m. • Bonham C (3rd Floor)
Closed 12 - 1:30 |
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Sunday
Taste of Texas Continental Breakfast
8:00–9:30 a.m. • 4th Floor Foyer
Registration Open
8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Staff Subcommittee on Telecommunications
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. • Texas D (4th Floor)
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. |
Next NARUC: Staff Discussion |
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. |
Current Issues in Cooperative Federalism The FCC issued a Forbearance Order at Docket 18-141 addressing competitor access to legacy telephone networks although that decision is under appeal (including an appeal by the State of California). The USDC Court of Appeals just issued their long-awaited Net Neutrality Order and overturned preemption of state authority over Basic Internet Access Service (BIAS). The panelists will address federalism’s future given these recent decisions, explain their importance to the states, and address what the next likely steps will be. Moderator: Renardo Hicks, Esq., General Counsel, PA PUC Panelists: Chris Van De Verg Esq., Van De Verg Law Office LLC Christopher J. Wright, Esq., Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP J. Bradford Ramsey, Esq., General Counsel, NARUC Michael Saperstein, Esq., Patrick Halley, Esq., US Telecom Sana Sheikh. Senior Corporate Counsel, Granite Communications, Inc. Scott McCollough, Esq., Cousel, Irregulators |
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Lifeline Database Demonstration The FCC and USAC have been working on rolling out the Lifeline Database, a vehicle focused on addressing eligibility so as to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. At the July 2019 meeting in Indianapolis, the Consumers and the Public Interest (CPI) Committee conducted a Poverty Simulation, including how consumers access Lifeline although logistics precluded an in-depth demonstration of how the federal Lifeline Database will work. This panel will discuss Lifeline developments and provide a live demonstration to the attendees showing how the Lifeline Database will operate in the real work in the states with help from the providers. Michelle Garber, USAC Lifeline Executive Vice President Panelists: Linnita Hosten, USAC Gina Jasman, TracFone Catherine Miller, USAC Danielle Perry, TruConnect Communications |
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch (on your own) |
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. |
Rural Broadband Auctions: from CAF-II to RDOF Moderator: TBD/Joe Witmer, PA PUC Presenter: Michael Janson, Director, Rural Broadband Auctions Taskforce, FCC |
2:20 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. |
Panel VII – RuDOF. Issues in the Upcoming Auction The FCC’s proposed Rural Development Opportunity Fund (RuDOF) filing period has closed. The FCC will now decide how about $2.0B per year over the next 10 years will be provided to support broadband in high-cost areas using an auction format modeled on the recent 903 Auction. This slightly longer panel contains a cross-section of possible bidders, using differing technologies, who will address the issues in this critical proceeding going forward, including their view on the best ways to make the auction work as intended. Moderator: Joe Witmer, PA PUC Panelists: Mark Cooper/NASUCA, Director of Research, Consumer Federation of America (invited) Joe Gillan, Gillan Consulting Pamela Hollick, Esq., Assistant General Counsel, CenturyLink David LaFuria, Esq., Lukas, LaFuria, Gutierrez & Sachs, LLP, US Cellular Ross Lieberman, Esq., Brian Hurley, Esq., American Cable Association Brian O’Hara, National Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives Michael Saperstein, Esq., Patrick Halley, Esq., US Telecom |
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Resolutions - Staff Disposition |
Subcommittee on Supplier and Workforce Diversity
10:00–11:45 a.m. • Texas BC (4th Floor)
10:00-10:15 a.m. |
Business Meeting Items |
10:15-11:45 a.m. |
Bringing SSWD NARUC Resolutions to Life In July, NARUC adopted two historic resolutions, spearheaded by the Subcommittee on Supplier and Workforce Diversity, that expanded the encouragement for strategic partnerships to foster talented and diverse professionals in the utility industry and engagement of diverse financial and professional service providers by investor-owned utilities. To bridge the retirement epidemic and need for greater inclusion in the industry, the first resolution calls for expansion on the support of long-term strategic partnerships between utilities, commissions, and other interested stakeholders and academic and professional institutions that serve underrepresented communities. The second resolution expands upon an existing resolution that supported supplier diversity in financial services to include all professional services because the American economy improves when there is equitable access and participation by all industry participants. To maximize the power of these call-to-actions, a dynamic panel of subject matter experts will brainstorm ways that utilities and stakeholders alike can adopt these resolutions forward and change them from concepts written on paper to reality. Moderator: Hon. Sadzi M. Oliva, Commissioner, Illinois Panelists:
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Staff Subcommittee on Consumers and the Public Interest
9:00 - 11:45 am • Texas EF (4th Floor)
(Closed 9:00–10:15 a.m.)
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. |
Networking Break |
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10:30 - 11:45 a.m. |
Now that we have the data, what do we do with it? While utility disconnection data is desired by NGO’s and other consumer assistance agencies and organizations, few state commissions require utilities to report this data. Through a series of four webinars with in-depth discussions, the Committee on Consumers and the Public Interest is developing recommendations about the value of disconnect data reporting. In this session, we will explore Oregon’s recent experience in developing disconnect reporting rules and discuss the potential use and importance of collecting data. Moderator: Phil Boyle, Manager of Consumer Services, Oregon Public Utility Commission Panelists: Linda Gervais, Senior Manager, Regulatory Policy and Strategy, Avista Utilities Bob Jenks, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board of Oregon Charlene Ketchum, Policy Advisor and Legal Counsel to Commissioner Maida Coleman, Missouri Public Service Commission Bill Malcolm, Senior Legislative Representative - State Advocacy and Strategy Integration, AARP |
Staff Subcommittee on Information Services
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. • Bonham C (3rd Floor)
9:00-10:15 a.m. |
Cybersecurity Implementation Plan (Wisconsin PUC Model) Presenter: Jeff Thomas, CIO- Wisconsin PSC |
10:15-10:30 a.m. | Networking Break |
10:30- 12:00 p.m. | Round Table Discussion |
12:00-1:15 p.m. | LUNCH |
1:15-2:00 p.m. | Round Table Discussion |
2:00-4:00 p.m. | Joint Meeting with Executive Management Subcommittee |
Staff Subcommittee on Rate Design
9:00 – 11:45 a.m. • Texas A (4th Floor)
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. |
Behind the meter Storage: What opportunities exist for customers to reduce their demand and energy charges? With the cost of battery storage continuing to decline, both residential and commercial customers have opportunities to realize bill savings which help to reduce the payback time of their investment. Customers can benefit through reductions in demand changes and arbitrage opportunities exist for reduction in energy charges. This panel will explore the savings opportunities that exist for customers, which for some customers energy savings could outweigh demand savings, and how the load profile of the customer makes that determination. This panel will also explore technologies and software that are available to assist the customer in achieving bill savings. Moderator: Jamie Barber, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Manager, Georgia Panelists: Galen Barbose, Electricity Markets and Policy Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Amy Heart, Director of Public Policy, Sunrun Patrick Ryan, Director, Policy Analysis & Development, Exelon
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10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | Networking Break |
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. |
Performance-Based Regulation: Helping to Enable a Customer-Centric Future Performance-based regulation (PBR) is becoming one of the most important topics in utility regulation. This is because the traditional cost-of-service regulatory model has an implicit capital bias that presents a challenge to achieving some modern policy goals such as transitioning to cleaner energy resources, modernizing the grid and offering enhanced customer solutions. PBR is hard to do well and its survival depends on gaining trust and confidence that risks and rewards are appropriately shared between utilities and ratepayers. This panel will explore how PBR can drive economic efficiency and innovations that deliver greater value to ratepayers. Tom Stanton, National Regulatory Research Institute, Principal Researcher for Energy and Environment Panelists: Commissioner Anthony, Rhode Island Matthew McDonnell, Associate Director, Navigant Susan Mora-Schrader, Director of Utility Initiatives, Exelon
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Networking Break
10:15–10:45 a.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
Staff Subcommittee on Energy Resources and the Environment
10:30–11:45 a.m. • Texas A (4th Floor)
(Joint with Staff Subcommittee on Rate Design)
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. |
Performance-Based Regulation: Helping to Enable a Customer-Centric Future Performance-based regulation (PBR) is becoming one of the most important topics in utility regulation. This is because the traditional cost-of-service regulatory model has an implicit capital bias that presents a challenge to achieving some modern policy goals such as transitioning to cleaner energy resources, modernizing the grid and offering enhanced customer solutions. PBR is hard to do well and its survival depends on gaining trust and confidence that risks and rewards are appropriately shared between utilities and ratepayers. This panel will explore how PBR can drive economic efficiency and innovations that deliver greater value to ratepayers. Moderator Tom Stanton, National Regulatory Research Institute, Principal Researcher for Energy and Environment Panelists Hon. Abigail Anthony, Rhode Island Matthew McDonnell, Associate Director, Navigant Susan Mora-Schrader, Director of Utility Initiatives, Exelon |
Washington Action
10:30–11:45 a.m. • Bonham D (3rd Floor)
(Closed Meeting)
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Staff Subcommittee on Critical Infrastructure
10:30–11:45 a.m. • Republic (4th Floor)
(Closed Meeting)
New Commissioner Forum
(New Commissioners Only)
11:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. • Bowie (2nd Floor)
Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety
1:00–3:00 p.m. • Seguin (4th Floor)
(Closed Meeting)
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Staff Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety
1:00–5:00 p.m. • Seguin (4th Floor)
(Closed Meeting)
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Committee on Consumers and the Public Interest
1:30–5:00 p.m. • Texas EF (4th Floor)
1:30-2:30 p.m. |
Business Meeting (closed) |
2:45-3:45 p.m. |
Following a disaster, how can government agencies and utilities work together to make recovery less stressful and more efficient for customers? When a disaster strikes, those affected are often left without power for days or weeks. Or worse, their home is destroyed and they are left living in temporary housing indefinitely – often times on their own property. How is power supplied to this temporary housing when the infrastructure is destroyed? Federal, state, and local agencies, as well as utilities, have emergency disaster plans in place that work well. But, how can these entities work better together to ease the burden on residents who are already dealing with many, many challenges? Moderator: Hon. Odogwu Obi Linton, Maryland Panelists: Christine Knepper, Manager of State Governmental Affairs, Florida Power & Light Company Kate Murphy, Requirements Manager, Logistics Operations Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency Jewel Smith, Principal, i3029 Liron Consulting, LLC Kevin Wisely, Director Office of Resilience and Emergency Preparedness, New York State Department of Public Service
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4:00-5:00 p.m. |
Data Collection Deep Dive Highlights (Joint with NASUCA) During this session, members from NASUCA, NARUC, and panelists from this year’s NRRI webinar series on data collection related to disconnections and delinquencies will:
Moderator: Hon. Marion S. Gold, Rhode Island
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Committee on Critical Infrastructure
1:30–5:00 p.m. • Texas BC (4th Floor
1:30-2:30 |
On October 5, 2018, the President signed the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA) into law as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018. These reforms acknowledge the shared responsibility for disaster response and recovery, aim to reduce the complexity of FEMA, and build the nation’s capacity for the next catastrophic event. The law contains approximately 50 provisions that require FEMA policy or regulation changes for full implementation.Part of the reform includes Public Assistance 406 Codes and Standards (Section 1235b): This section authorizes FEMA to provide Public Assistance funding to replace and restore disaster damaged facilities to the latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes ad standards to ensure that facilities are restored in a manner that allows them to be resilient.
Panelist: Craig Zamuda, Senior Policy Advisor, DOE (invited)
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2:30-3:00 |
Protect Our Power Update The Institute for Energy and the Environment’s Phase 2 report presents tools and processes that states can use to improve their distribution utility cyber security. Phase 2 builds off the Phase 1 report which identified barriers to improving cyber security of electric grid. Phase 2 highlights how audits and reports can enhance information flows between regulators and utilities without compromising confidential information, how alternative rate mechanisms can be designed to incentivize investment while protecting the public interest, and how grid modernization efforts can integrate cyber security. Moderator: Hon. Jay Balbalas, Washington Panelist: Richard Mroz, Senior State Government Relations, Protect Our Power Mark James - Senior Research Fellow and Adjunct Professor at Vermont Law School’s Institute for Energy and the Environment
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3:00-3:15 | Network Break | |
3:15-4:30 | Business Meeting and Strategic Planning Session |
Committee and Staff Subcommittee on International Relations
1:30–3:15p.m. • Texas A (4th Floor)
1:30-1:40 p.m. |
The Wide World of NARUC – Welcome and Introductions Hon. David Danner – Chair, IRC – Washington UTC |
1:40-1:45 p.m. |
Business meeting Approval of minutes Hon. David Danner – Chair, IRC – Washington UTC |
1:45-1:55 p.m. |
Report on NARUC International Programs Erin Hammel - Director of International Programs, NARUC |
1:55-2:15 p.m. |
Terry Barnich Award Hon. David Danner, Washington |
2:15-3:15 p.m. |
Energy Reform in Mexico: Will It Survive? Hon. David Morton – Co-Vice Chair, IRC – British Columbia UC
José María Lujambio Irazábal - Partner, Cacheaux Cavazos & Newton, Austin; former general counsel, Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico |
Subcommittee on Clean Coal
1:30–3:00 p.m. • Crockett D (4th Floor)
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Presentations on NARUC / U.S. Department of Energy Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Partnership white papers on coal ash management and coal flexibility / reliability Speakers:
Showing and discussion of informational energy videos Speaker:
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Staff Subcommittee on Executive Management
(Joint with Staff Subcommittee on Information Services)
2:00–4:00 p.m. • Bonham C (3rd Floor)
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Staff Subcommittee on Gas
2:00–4:45 p.m. • Republic (4th Floor)
2:00-2:20 p.m. |
Staff and Other Regulatory Updates Subcommittee members and audience provide relevant regulatory updates |
2:20-2:35 p.m. |
NRRI Introduction/Discussion NRRI is in the process of developing a new Regulatory Training Initiative. Jeff Loiter will introduce the project to attendees, direct attendees to relevant resources and answer any questions that may arise. Presenter: Jeff Loiter, Principal Researcher, NRRI |
2:40-3:15 p.m. |
Renewable Natural Gas A presentation by NW Natural on the company's efforts in regards to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and Oregon's new RNG legislation. Presenter: Zach Kravitz, Director, Rates & Regulatory Affairs, NW Natural |
3:20-3:55 p.m. |
Safety Management Systems (SMS) Effective communications between pipeline safety officials and operators is of critical importance. The presenters will discuss the importance and implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS). Presenter: TBD |
4:00-4:35 p.m. |
Natural Gas Bans & their Impacts Certain parts of the country are seeing increasing demand for natural gas at a time when pipeline capacity additions are limited by state actions. The presenter will address how this situation has led to moratoria on new customer additions and their impacts -- economic and otherwise. Presenter: Daniel Lapato, Senior Director, State Affairs, AGA |
Networking Break
2:15–3:30 p.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
Staff Subcommittee on Water
3:00–5:00 p.m. • Mission A (closed meeting)
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Subcommittee and Staff Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues-Waste Disposal
3:30–5:00 p.m. • Crockett D (4th Floor)
(Closed Meeting)
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Welcome Reception
(Tickets Required)
5:00–6:30 p.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
Monday
NARUC Board of Directors Meeting
7:30–8:45 a.m. • Bowie (2nd Floor)
OPSI Breakfast Meeting
7:00–8:45 a.m. • Lone Star C (2nd Floor)
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Taste of Texas Continental Breakfast
8:00–9:00 a.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
Registration Open
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Committee on Electricity
9:00–11:45 a.m. • Texas BC (4th Floor)
9:00-10:00 a.m. |
Competitive Markets at a Crossroads? Competitive energy markets have been operating in the US for over 20 years. Competitive markets were originally born out of customer frustration with the high cost of coal and nuclear generation and later reinvigorated by the cost savings potential of pooled resources. Markets have often been a vehicle for delivering new services and options to customers in the electric industry. Now, as we stand on the verge of the next generation revolution with utility scale renewables costs quickly approaching the levelized cost of natural gas, it is time to reflect on the cost and realized benefits of electricity restructuring and market development in the United States. This panel will focus on growing pains and lessons learned from the last two decades of electricity restructuring and how we can leverage these learnings to maximize customer benefits as we look to transition to a low-carbon future. Moderators: Hon. DeAnn Walker, Texas Hon. Beth Trombold, Ohio Panelists: Alison Silverstein, Independent Consultant, Alison Silverstein Consulting Mike Jacobs, Senior Energy Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists Mason Emnett, Vice President of Competitive Markets, Exelon |
10:15-11:00 a.m. |
Business Meeting The business meeting will include an update from Vermont Law. Richard Mroz will speak to the law school’s partnership with Protect Our Power, an organization conducting research on grid security and resilience. Mark James will also present the key findings of the Phase 2 report on State regulatory issues and cybersecurity |
11:00-11:45 a.m. |
Energy and Regulatory Transitions: State Updates States across the country are seeing changes in technology and the energy resource mix. This panel will provide a glimpse into the efforts of four States responding to these changes and transforming their states’ generation portfolios through regulatory initiatives that include both traditional and innovative tools. Commissioners from different regions will present their views on how these changes are occurring, regulatory policies that support them and impacts on ratepayers from an affordability and reliability perspective Moderator: Hon. Judith Williams Jagdmann, Virginia Panelists: Hon. Anthony O’Donnell, Maryland Hon. Charlotte Mitchell, North Carolina Hon. Richard Lozier, Jr., Iowa Hon. Kara Fornstrom, Wyoming |
Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment
9:00–11:45 a.m. • Texas A (4th Floor)
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. |
Are Pilot Programs Going the Way of the Dodo? Pilot programs are a common way for utilities to test new ideas, but all too often “pilot” becomes a synonym for “small” which interferes with the utilization of good statistical design protocols. As a result, the pilot program fails to yield statistically meaningful results. Any failure to adhere to accepted research methods interjects concerns about objectivity, reduces the confidence in applying the results, renders the transferability of outcomes to other utilities highly unlikely, and raises questions about other potential biases in the research. A prudently designed pilot program that serves the public interest should spur innovation and be positively viewed for purposes of cost recovery. Moderator: Hon. Sarah Freeman, Indiana Panelists: Hon. Dan Lipschultz, Minnesota Tom Ashley, Vice President, Policy, Greenlots Julia Friedman, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs and Market Development, Oracle Lon Huber |
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. | Break |
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. |
What Commissions Should Know About Environmental, Social and Governance Issues in the Industry (Joint with the Committee on Consumers and the Public Interest) Environmental, Social and Governance issues (ESG) have become a catalyst in the transition of investor-owned electric and gas companies. Recognizing the rising importance of ESG to major investors, customers and stakeholders, EEI developed the first-of-its-kind, sector-specific ESG reporting template, resulting in clarity, consistency and comparability of ESG information desired by these important constituencies. Initially, the primary focus of the EEI ESG template was on “E” issues (specifically carbon), but recently the dialog has moved to “S” issues, such as community workforce development, and to “G” issues, such as cybersecurity governance. As activists are playing a bigger role in the energy sector, companies are proactively engaging with key constituents to address ESG issues, which will enable continued access to capital markets at affordable rates. Panelists will share their perspectives on ESG issues impacting the sector, company disclosures, and the implications of their industry assessments. Moderator: Hon. Michael Richard, Maryland Panelists: Devin James, Manager, Investor Relations & ESG, Edison Electric Institute Elin Katz, Managing Director of Energy Consulting and Associate General Counsel, Tilson Technology Management Jim Kerr, Chief Legal Officer, Southern Company Jeffrey Kotkin, Vice President Investor Relations, Eversource Energy Melissa Lavinson, SVP Governmental & External Affairs, Pepco Holdings |
11:20 a.m.-11:45 a.m. |
Business Meeting Introductions Mary Kilmarx Award announcement FERC PURPA NOPR overview Resolutions NRRI Regulation Training Initiative overview This initiative is a remote platform for providing training on key regulatory issues for Commissioners, staff, industry and other stakeholders. Building Energy Efficiency: Technology, Policy, and Finance on-line course preview. This on-line course examines the complexities, progress, and opportunities for energy efficiency in buildings (BEE) through the lenses of technology, policy, and finance. Participants will learn the fundamentals of the various kinds of BEE policy programs, their goals and their evaluation, with a special focus on utility customer programs and key policy tools for them. The course explores the potential energy cost savings and non-energy benefits of BEE interventions as well as motivations and barriers for BEE from a multidisciplinary perspective. Mini cases are used to explain key developments in BEE technology, policy and finance. Importantly, the course explores the leading edge of BEE including “data-driven” intelligent efficiency, the value of BEE in today’s changing grid, building decarbonization and BEE’s role in international climate efforts. |
Committee on Gas
9:00–11:45 a.m. • Texas EF (4th Floor)
9:00-11:45 a.m. |
At times, we tend to present regulatory panels on a topic-by-topic basis. Rates, safety, supply, demand, innovation & research, integration between gas and renewables, energy efficiency, employment, costs and infrastructure, are often looked at in “silo mode.” However, as we discuss the individual pieces or topics, we must not overlook the fact that many of them are interrelated and at times they should be looked at "holistically." This Committee on Gas meeting will be a dedicated discussion seeking to properly engage in as many of these topics as practically possible and look at how actions in one area may affect another. To that end, representatives from state and federal agencies, the natural gas industry, former and current commissioners, will gather to discuss with the committee membership and audience a variety of timely topics that we all encounter as regulators and practitioners. Moderators: Hon. Diane X. Burman, New York Hon. Brandon Presley, Mississippi Hon. Julie Fedorchak, North Dakota Hon. Jay Balasbas, Washington Panelists: Hon. Tricia Pridemore, Georgia Emeritus Committee on Gas Chairs Gas Technology Institute Leadership Team PHMSA Leadership Team Erin Hutson, Laborers' International Union of North America Subcommittee on Supplier and Workforce Diversity Leadership Team Jim Jerozal, Managing Director, Energy Efficiency at Nicor Gas Jeff Loiter, Principal Researcher, NRRI Jeff Petrash, VP & General Counsel, National Propane Gas Association |
Tuesday 11/19 10:45-11:45 a.m. |
*** DO NOT MISS CONCURRENT SESSION A2 ON TUESDAY *** The Future of Natural Gas in Decarbonization Focused States Participants: Dr. Roger Aines, Energy Program Chief Scientist, LLNL Global Security E Program Dawn Constantin, SVP, Marketing & Regulatory Affairs, BP Energy Company Richard Meyer, Managing Director, Energy Analysis, American Gas Association Dena E. Wiggins, President, Natural Gas Supply Association Thomas P. Meissner, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO, Unitil |
Committee on Telecommunications
9:00–11:45 a.m. • Texas D (4th Floor)
9:00 - 9:30 a.m. |
Business Meeting |
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
Joint Panel with Critical Infrastructure Lessons Learned From a Cyber Attack - What Companies and Regulators Need to Know Cyber-attacks are on the rise and lack of cybersecurity poses one of the biggest economic threats of today. Companies, government agencies and municipalities are targeted on a daily basis and if they are not prepared they often suffer devastating results. A specific cyber-attack will be covered, as well as a discussion of other types of cyber-attacks and best practices. Moderator: Hon. Michael Caron, Connecticut Panelists: Greg Lowe, President and CEO, Syringa Networks Kathryn Condello, Senior Director National Security, CenturyLink Craig Harber, Chief Technology Officer, Fidelis Cybersecurity |
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. |
Networking Break |
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. |
The Mozilla Decision: What's Next for States? Moderator: Hon. Sally Talberg, Michigan Panelists: Matthew Murchison, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP Brad Ramsay, General Counsel, NARUC |
Committee on Water
9:00–11:45 a.m. • Republic (4th Floor)
9:00-9:30 a.m. |
Business Meeting |
9:30-10:30 a.m. |
Get the Lead (and Copper) Out In October of this year, the EPA announced the signing of the proposed Lead and Copper Revision (LCR). Committee members will discuss comparisons between the Pre publication version of the Rule and the current Rule including sampling, risk communication, and strengthening drinking water treatment requirements-- notably the protection of children in schools.
Moderator: Hon. Maria Bocanegra, Illinois Panelists: Suzanne Chiavari, Engineering Director Treatment and Resiliency, American Water Megan Glover, Co-founder and CEO, 120WaterAudit Mike McGill, President, Water PIO |
10:30-10:45 a.m. | Networking Break |
10:45-11:45 a.m. |
Can I Drink It? Recycled water is beneficial because it is allegedly less expensive than potable water. Water reuse is critical to conservation and preservation of aquifer integrity at all times, and not solely during droughts. The Committee will learn about basic physical, biological, and chemical principles to remove contaminants from water -- from primary treatment through advanced treatment.
Moderator: Hon. Eric Anderson, Idaho Panelists: David Spacht, CFO Artesian Water and President Artesian Wastewater Management Richard Svindland, President of California American Water and Hawaii American Water Mr. Robert Puente, San Antonio Water System President and CEO |
Staff Subcommittee on Information Services
9:00–11:45 a.m. • Bonham C (3rd Floor)
9:00-10:15 a.m.
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Social Media & Digital Risks Presenter: Dr. Sam Small, CSO- ZeroFOX
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10:15-10:30 a.m. |
Networking Break |
10:30-11:45 a.m. |
Ransomware & Cloud Application Security Presenter: Chris Richmond, -proofpoint |
Staff Subcommittee on Law
9:00–11:45 a.m. • Seguin A (4th Floor)
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Staff Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety
9:00–11:45 a.m. • Seguin B (4th Floor)
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Commissioner Emeritus Business Meeting
11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. • Bowie (2nd Floor)
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Regulators Luncheon
(Tickets Required)
11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. • Lone Star ABC (2nd Floor)
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Opening General Session
2:00–3:00 p.m. • Lone Star DEF (2nd Floor)
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. |
NARUC 132nd Annual Meeting and Education ConferenceWelcome by NARUC President Nick Wagner of Iowa Presentation of the Colors by Marine Corps Support Battalion Company H. Singing of our National Anthem by Andrea Howard, Contract Specialist for Dept of Air Force, 502 Contracting Squadron. Election of Officers for 2019 - 2020Nomination for President: Hon. ToNola Brown-Bland Second for President: Hon. Jack Betkoski Nomination for First Vice President: Hon. Butch Howard Second for First Vice President: Hon. Kristine Raper Nomination for Second Vice President: Hon. Willie Phillips Second for Second Vice President: Hon Ann Rendahl
In Memoriam 2018-2019
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Networking Break
3:00–3:15 p.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
General Session
3:15–4:15 p.m. • Lone Star DEF
The Great Debate: Energy Resource Options |
Every electricity resource has various attributes that can or do support a well-functioning grid. However, how those resources and their benefits are defined, valued, and compensated is a subject of some controversy. Join representatives of coal, natural gas, nuclear, renewables, battery storage, and demand-side management industries as they take center stage to debate the attributes they think should be valued and compensated at the state and regional levels. Facilitator: Hon. Nick Wagner, NARUC President Participants: Michelle Bloodworth, CEO, America's Power Katherine Hamilton, Executive Director, Advanced Energy Management Alliance Karen Harbert, CEO, American Gas Association Maria Korsnick, President and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute Nat Kreamer, CEO, Advanced Energy Economy and AEE Institute Kelly Speakes-Backman, CEO, Energy Storage Association |
MACRUC
(Invitees Only)
4:30–5:30 p.m. • Republic A (4th Floor)
NECPUC
(Invitees Only)
4:30–5:30 p.m. • Seguin B (4th Floor)
MARC
(Invitees Only)
4:30–5:30 p.m. • Republic C (4th Floor)
SEARUC
(Invitees Only)
4:30–5:30 p.m. • Seguin A (4th Floor)
Western
(Invitees Only)
4:30–5:30 p.m. • Republic B (4th Floor)
NARUC Board of Directors Dinner
(Board Members Only)
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday
NRRI Board of Directors Breakfast
7:30–8:45 a.m. • Crockett AB
Taste of Texas Continental Breakfast
8:00–9:00 a.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
Registration Open
8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
General Session
9:00–10:15 a.m. • Lone Star DEF (2nd Floor)
9:00 - 9:40 a.m. Who wants to be a Regulator?
9:40 - 10:15 a.m. Commissioners Nick & Glick Hot Topic Talk |
Who wants to be a Regulator?It’s much more than a game!
This interactive general session will kick off with NARUC representatives squaring off against FERC staff in an adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Participants will answer questions about the history, members, and work of the other organization.
TEAM NARUC Hon. Talina Mathews, Kentucky Hon. Jordan White, Utah
TEAM FERC Christy Walsh, Office of Energy Policy and Innovation Anna Cochrane, Director of the Office of Energy Market Regulation
Elizabeth Salerno, Advisor to Commissioner Glick
Commissioners Nick and Glick: Hot Topic Talk
NARUC President Nick Wagner and FERC Commissioner Richard Glick will discuss current issues and challenges of state and federal commissions. |
Networking Break
10:15–10:45 a.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
Concurrent Sessions Section A
10:45–11:45 a.m.
Texas A (4th Floor) |
A1 FERC’s PURPA Reforms - What does it mean for consumers, commissions, and clean energy? At long last, it is finally here – the PURPA NOPR! Come hear what regulators and other stakeholders are saying about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on changes to the implementing regulations associated with the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, before comments are filed in December. Participants will discuss the important aspects of FERC’s proposed changes, especially on rate-setting and which markets qualify for an exemption from PURPA’s “mandatory purchase obligation.”
Moderator: Travis Kavulla, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, NRG Participants: Hon. Megan Decker, Oregon Hon. Kristine Raper, Idaho Hon. Daniel Scripps, Michigan Katherine Gensler, Vice President, Solar Energy Industries Association Philip Moeller, Executive Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, EEI
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Texas C (4th Floor) |
A2 The Future of Natural Gas in Decarbonization Focused States Natural gas demand has grown as a key energy source over the last decade and demand is expected to continue to grow. Issues surrounding the decarbonization of our energy delivered by utilities is a growing topic in the United States. It is important to understand the policy implications for the energy of the future. Such issues include conversations around the importance of fuel diversity, decreasing even more GHG emissions, increasing investment in current and new infrastructure and improving reliability of electricity transmission grid as natural gas power generation may be called upon to provide backup support to renewable generation as well as dependable baseload generation. This panel will discuss the details, benefits and roadblocks to delivering lower carbon energy to consumers. Moderator: Hon. Diane Burman, New York Participants: Dr. Roger Aines, Energy Program Chief Scientist, LLNL Global Security E Program Dawn Constantin, SVP, Marketing & Regulatory Affairs, BP Energy Company Thomas P. Meissner, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO, Unitil Corporation Richard Meyer, Managing Director, Energy Analysis, American Gas Association Dena E. Wiggins, President, Natural Gas Supply Association
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Texas D (4th Floor) |
A3 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF): Will it be Effective? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently proposed the $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), which it has called its “biggest single step to date” to help close the rural digital divide by expanding broadband in unserved rural areas. The FCC believes the RDOF will “raise the bar” for rural broadband deployment by “making more areas eligible for support and requiring faster service than last year’s Connect America Fund (CAF).” This panel will take a critical look at the RDOF and also discuss its potential impact. Learning Objectives
Moderator: Hon. Brandon Presley, Mississippi Participants: Hon. Chris Nelson, South Dakota Joseph Gillan, Economist, Gillan Associates Brian O’Hara: Senior Director Regulatory Issues – Telecom & Broadband, NRECA Carol Mattey, Principal, Mattey Consulting, LLC |
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Annual Officer Installation Ceremony and Celebration Luncheon
(Tickets Required)
12:00–1:15 p.m. • Lone Star Ballrooms
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Concurrent Sessions Section B
1:45–2:45 p.m.
Texas C (4th Floor) |
B1 The Texas Way: Energy Innovation in the Lone Star State Texas is home to vast fossil and renewable resources, coming in at #1 among all states in oil and gas production and wind capacity and #5 in solar capacity. Massive investments in transmission infrastructure deliver these resources to market. Texas also hosts a number of cutting-edge energy pilot projects that illustrate the future of low-emission, high-efficiency electric power generation. With ERCOT, Texas utilities operate in a uniquely competitive energy market that provides some of the lowest retail rates in the country. What is it about Texas that attracts innovation, and what can other states learn from the successes and shortcomings of Texas's approach? Attendees will:
Moderator: Hon. DeAnn Walker, Texas Participants Scott Burns, Head of Innovation/Customer Experience, and GM, Home Services/Security, Reliant Energy Russell Gold, Investigative Journalist, Wall Street Journal Mike McGroddy, Principal, 8 Rivers Capital Susan Williams Sloan, VP State Affairs, American Wind Energy Association |
Texas D (4th Floor) |
B2 Leading the Way to Smarter Systems Energy markets and systems are transforming. Energy companies are integrating more technologies on the grid to meet customer expectations. Distributed energy resources and electrification allow This session will:
Moderator: Hon. Ted Thomas, Arkansas Hon. Carrie Zalewski, Illinois David Kolata, Consumer Advocate, Citizens Utility Board Chuck Kosak, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Transmission Permitting & Technical Assistance Division Office of Electricity, DOE
Jess Melanson, COO, Utilidata
Rob Schwartz, President & COO, Anterix, Inc. Paula Gold-Williams, President & CEO, CPS Energy
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Texas A (4th Floor) |
B3 New Transmission Investments & FERC Order 1000 |
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FERC Order 1000 outlines the transmission planning process for new transmission investment, in certain instances, removes a transmission owner's federal right of first refusal, and allows for a competitive bidding process for new projects. The jury is out on whether the competitive bidding process has been beneficial for end-use customers or not. This panel will explore the following questions: How is FERC Order 1000 performing to date? How much potential savings do transmission solicitations offer customers? Where are there room for improvements in planning procedures? Is expansion of competitive solicitation the answer to our transmission woes or are there other underlying obstacles to building the grid of the future? Moderator: Hon. Sally Talberg, Michigan Hon. Talina Mathews, Kentucky Judy Chang, Principal, The Brattle Group Dr. Emma Nicholson, Senior Project Manager, Concentric Energy Advisors Neil Millar, Executive Director of Infrastructure Development, California ISO Ed Tatum, VP RTO and Regulatory Affairs, American Municipal Power
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Board of Directors Meeting
3:15–4:15 p.m. • Bowie
Commissioner Bonus Session
(Commissioners Only)
3:15–4:30 p.m. • Crockett CD (4th Floor)
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NRRI Symposium—The Regulatory Training Initiative
3:15–4:15 p.m. • Crockett AB
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NRRI will host an open session to present an overview of the initiative, a remote platform for providing training on key regulatory issues for Commissioners, staff, industry, and other stakeholders. The session will seek feedback and input on the development of the initiative and plans for its deployment. |
Performance-Based Regulation Working Group Kickoff
(Closed Meeting. Commissioners and Staff Only. Preregistration Required. Email Kerry at kworthington@naruc.org to register.)
3:15–5:00 p.m. • Republic (4th Floor)
Wednesday
Taste of Texas Continental Breakfast
8:00–9:00 a.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
Registration Open
8:30–11:30 a.m. • 2nd Floor Foyer
Concurrent Sessions Section C
9:00–10:00 a.m.
Lone Star A |
C1 Ex Parte Communications: the Rules of the Game and Pitfalls to Avoid This session has been submitted for CLE Ethics credits. A separate sign-in form and certificate will be located inside the room if needed. This panel discussion will highlight various state ex parte statutes and rules, and compare state ex parte requirements or limitations to those at the federal level. The presenters will provide anecdotal information as to how ex parte problems have arisen in various states. Additionally, presenters will highlight pitfalls to avoid when practicing before or with a state PUC, including the potential hazards of inadvertent ex parte communications. Facilitators Rosemary Chiavetta, Esq. Secretary, Pennsylvania Debrea M. Terwilliger, Assistant General Counsel, Nevada |
Lone Star B |
C2 The Dynamic Role of Commissions in Addressing Infrastructure Resilience The role of state commissions in the discussion about resilience for energy, water, and communications infrastructure is often limited to the scope of their authority in defining, measuring, and regulating resilience. However, commissions play an important role as a convening entity, ensuring utilities and asset owners are working closely with state government partners to maximize their ability to anticipate, absorb, adapt to, and rapidly recover from major disruptions. Given new technologies and services as well as evolving threats like cyberattacks, hurricanes and floods, wildfires, and extreme heat, the commission's role in aligning utility regulation and resource planning, energy assurance, and emergency operations is essential to ensuring grid resilience. This panel will explore how commissions can lead productive collaboration among multiple stakeholders to improve resilience at least cost to ratepayers. Attendees will
Moderator: Hon. Jay Balasbas, Washington Participants Frank Almaraz, Chief Administrative & Business Development Officer, CPS Energy Jonathon Monken, Senior Director, Electricity Infrastructure Policy, PJM Interconnection, LLC Jay Morrison, VP of Regulatory Affairs, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Paul Stockton, Managing Director, Sonecon, LLC |
Lone Star C |
C3 Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities with Comprehensive Electricity Planning The NARUC-NASEO Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning (www.naruc.org/taskforce), announced one year ago, is a multi-year initiative envisioning how to better align distribution, resource, and transmission planning processes. Sixteen pairs of state utility commissions and energy offices have met twice in robust working sessions to iterate on opportunities to improve planning. During this session, attendees will hear about progress made to date, plans for the coming year, and key issues Task Force members are discussing as they develop roadmaps that could serve as starting points for any state. As planning moves from process design to implementation, identifying needs, setting criteria for solutions, and prioritizing investments become paramount. Panelists will discuss emerging thinking on applying energy optimization approaches to planning as planners weigh numerous distributed and centralized options for meeting grid needs. The discussion will also include an overview of modeling tools that can be useful to aide in these efforts and of new investments being made to support planning-related decision making.
Moderator: Hon. Jeff Ackermann, Colorado Speakers: Carl Linvill, Principal, Regulatory Assistance Project Samir Succar, Director, ICF Johanna Zetterberg, SEE Action Network, U.S. Department of Energy |
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Networking Break
10:00–10:15 a.m. • Room TBD
Closing General Session
10:15–11:30 a.m. • Lone Star DEF (2nd Floor)
AI....It's a Thing! |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) are cutting-edge technologies that are quickly transforming industries around the world. These technologies present several opportunities for utilities to achieve efficient operations and cost savings. However, the proliferation of these technologies raises concerns about the viability of the human workforce, safety, privacy & ethics, among other considerations. Attendees will:
Facilitator: Hon. Willie Phillips, District of Columbia Participants: Mark Holtermann, Vice President, Technology, American Water Suzanne Russo, CEO, PecanStreet Jordana Temlock, Director, Regulatory Affairs, Bidgely Harshal Upadhye, Program Manager for Artificial Intelligence, EPRI |
BONUS SESSION
NARUC/DOE Resilience Workshop
1:00–5:00 p.m. • Republic BC
Regulating for Resilience
As states, utilities, and other stakeholders seek to reduce the consequences of disruptions to the electric power sector from threats such as severe weather, cyber-attacks, and accidents, the need for regulators to consider how resilience can be properly internalized is coming into sharp focus. States, utilities, municipalities, and customers are increasingly taking steps to improve our communities’ resilience, yet are doing so without the benefit of an established, clear and comprehensive set of planning considerations for grid resilience.
The goal for this facilitated workshop is twofold:
- To present and discuss work to date on overcoming critical barriers to development of a structured resilience framework, including:
- Developing a concise and accepted definition of resilience as it pertains to the grid
- Quantifying resilience in a way that works within various planning frameworks
- Balancing resilience benefits against other goals and requirements
- Threat-informed vs. threat-agnostic resilience frameworks
- To explore commission experience and needs related to important resilience topics, including:
- Setting grid resilience objectives
- Coordinating roles and responsibilities among policymakers, regulators, utilities, and other stakeholders
- Understanding the line between resilience investment and “gold plating”
- Performance-focused versus technology or program-focused regulation (e.g. resilience performance vs. microgrids)
- Strategy implementation considerations
Insights captured during this workshop will inform the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity in addressing commission needs related to electric distribution system resilience.
NARUC Supercritical CO2 Tour at Southwest Research
12:15–3:00 p.m.
Limited to 25 commissioners and commission staff.
There is no fee to attend. Look for an email with details on how to sign up.
Supported through the DOE-NARUC Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Partnership