Committee on Gas

Monday

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

General Sessions

2:00–3:00 p.m. • Lone Star DEF (2nd Floor)

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

 

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

Tuesday

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. 

   

Wednesday

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:

  • 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