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)

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

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

NARUC 132nd Annual Meeting and Education Conference

Welcome 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 - 2020

Nomination 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

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

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

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. 

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:

• Learn what AI and AR are; including types and uses
• Learn how AI and AR are transforming the utility industry;
• Hear about benefits, if any, to consumers; 
• Hear why commissions need to know about this technology as it relates usage by utility companies;
• Learn about challenges with AI and AR: including workforce, safety, and privacy concerns

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