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

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

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.

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