Welcome to the NARUC Summer Policy Summit in Scottsdale

Hon. Jack Betkoski, NARUC President

Advancing Reliability and Resiliency in the Electric Power System

Bruce J. Walker, Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity; Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy

How to Create and Implement an Innovative Ecosystem in the Water and Energy Nexus

The unprecedented pace of change within the electric, gas, and water utilities requires new ideas, technologies, and software to integrate renewable energy, accommodate distributed generation, and create innovations that solve problems across the electric, gas, and water systems. Adapting to these challenges and opportunities requires innovations to successfully manage the shifting world that regulators, utility executives, and entrepreneurs face. This panel will share experiences and ideas for creating an “ecosystem of innovation” that is pioneering the solutions to realize the 21st Century utility. Commissioners will develop an understanding of how Israel has become the “Start Up Nation” that has produced more patents and companies listed on the NASDAQ than any country other than the United States and China. Similarly, the panel will examine the unique role the National Laboratories have provided to initiate and commercialize the products that are fostering the revolution in the water and energy nexus. Commissioners will also learn the benefits and cautionary experiences from a utility adopting new technologies.

Moderator: Hon. Jack Betkoski III, NARUC President, Connecticut

Panelists: 

Oded Distel, Founder and Director, Israel NewTech

David Stanton, President, SUEZ 

Dr. Dan Arvizu, Senior Advisor, Emerson Elemental practice of Emerson Collective

Hon. Nick Wagner, Iowa

Like the Deserts Miss the Rain: Understanding the Energy-Water Nexus in the Desert

Attendees will hear how cities, utilities, and companies are taking action—both individually and collaboratively—to reduce groundwater use and increase clean energy use. Participants will explain lessons learned and describe best practices for managing the energy-water nexus in a desert environment.  Attendees will understand opportunities for win-win utility-customer partnerships and collaboration while hearing more about water reuse, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. 

Moderator: Hon. Ed Finley, North Carolina

Panelists: 

Joe Gysel, President, EPCOR Water USA

Kris Mayes, Professor of Practice, Utility Law and Policy, Director, Utility of the Future Center and Co-Director, Energy Policy Innovation Council, Arizona State University

City of Phoenix, Dept. of Water, Representative

Joint with Committees on Consumers and the Public Interest, Electricity, Energy Resources and the Environment, Gas, Telecommunications, and Water: General Session

Regulatory Yoga: Are We Flexible Enough?

The utility industry is transforming because of new technologies and evolving customer needs and expectations. Regulators and utilities are key in the efforts to maximize the value of new technology for customers. During this session, attendees will hear reasons why regulatory rules should adapt to quickly integrate technologies for the benefit of the public good and what can be done to ensure ongoing reliability of the nation’s utility infrastructure. Challenges in keeping up with new technologies under the current regulatory process will be presented and why flexibility is necessary to assist customers in taking advantage of advancements. The reasons why this regulatory paradigm shift is critical to evolving utilities to the next level of service, efficiency, reliability, and resilience will be discussed.

Moderator: Hon. Asim Haque, Ohio

Panelists: 

Hon. Gladys Brown, Pennsylvania

Nicholas K. Akins, Chairman, President and CEO, American Electric Power

Christopher Franklin, Chairman, President and CEO, Aqua America

Kimberly Harris, President and CEO, Puget Sound Energy

John Wolfe, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Cox Communications 

Joint with Committees on Consumers and the Public Interest, Electricity, Energy Resources and the Environment, Gas, Telecommunications, and Water: General Session

Advocacy Update: There’s Bite in Our Bark

Ours may not always be the loudest voice in the room—but when NARUC speaks on an issue, we get attention and results.

NARUC’s advocacy goes hand-in-hand with our ability to educate and inform. Why is advocacy important? President Betkoski will explain why advocacy is an integral part of NARUC’s mission.

We will also review NARUC’s recent advocacy efforts and priorities for members.

NARUC leadership will share the current focus of committees—and why it matters. (Because they’re never barking up the wrong tree!)

Moderator: Hon. Jack Betkoski, NARUC President