Exploring Opportunities: What is in the Realm of the Possible?

Utility regulation is all about balance. Are current models of utility regulation in need of fine tuning—or even a complete overhaul? This multi-staged panel begins with experts in the gas, water, electricity, and telecommunications sectors who’ll give Ted-talk style updates on innovation and the future of each sector. The second part is a moderated candid conversation on ratemaking, exploring key issues raised by speaker with probing analysis and examples of successful and unsuccessful attempts at transformation.

This session will cover important questions such as:

• Is current rate making in step with the evolving utility sector?
• How can we determine which rate mechanisms work best?
• What is the current status of carbon capture and sequestration?
• How significant is the implementation of 5G in telecom?
• What are the first steps in shifting the regulatory model?
• How can we assess success?
• How can new approaches to rate making affect issues such as grid modernization and cybersecurity?

Moderator: Hon. Sarah Hofmann, Vermont

Presenters:

Warner Baxter, Chairman, President and CEO, Ameren Corporation

Senator Brandt Hershman, Indiana. Currently Of Counsel at Barnes & Thornburg

Frank Macchiarola, Vice President, American Petroleum Institute

David Stanton, CEO, SUEZ North America's Utility Holdings

Panel Discussion:

Paula M. Carmody, People's Counsel, Maryland Office of People's Counsel
Travis Kavulla, Director, Energy, R Street Institute

Jim Richardson, Chief Energy Policy Advisor, Landis+Gyr

Making DERs Cybersecure:  Vulnerabilities, Standards, and Requirements of Interconnecting DERs to the Grid

(Joint with Committee on Critical Infrastructure)

With the growth of DERs on the grid expected to continue, it is important to ensure that all distributed generation and storage resources added to the grid are secure from external and equipment-based vulnerabilities.  Panelists will discuss how to assess specific vulnerabilities caused by increasing DER interconnections to the grid and ways to ensure DER security. 

Moderators:

Hon. Judith Williams Jagdmann, Virginia

Hon. Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, Pennsylvania 

Speakers:

Tobias Whitney, Technical Executive, EPRI

Danish Saleem, DER Cybersecurity Standards Lead, NREL

Colleen Glenn, Control Systems Cyber Security Analyst, Idaho National Lab

Business Meeting with Remarks by:

John Bear, CEO, MISO

Commissions’ Role Implementing the New Distributed Energy Resource Standard (IEEE 1547-2018)

As more distributed energy resources (DERs), like solar and storage, interconnect with the utility distribution grids, it is important that both the DERs and the grids are capable of safe and reliable operations.  IEEE 1547 is a foundational, technology neutral standard for the interconnection and interoperability of DERs that, when adopted at the State level, provides commissions and utilities with the framework and tools to ensure safe and reliable interconnection and operation of DERs in distribution systems.  IEEE 1547 underwent a substantive update in 2018 to address the challenges of increasing levels of DERs (including potential impacts to regional grids) and the capabilities of changing technologies (including advanced inverters).  This session will outline the importance of adopting the newly updated IEEE 1547, regardless of the current levels of DERs in your state, while illustrating options to ease implementation of the standard.

Moderator: 

Hon. Matthew Schuerger, Minnesota 

Panelists: 

David Narang, Section Manager, Applied Power Systems - Distributed Energy Systems Integration Group, NREL 

Devin Van Zandt, Technical Executive, EPRI

Sara Baldwin, VP, Regulatory, IREC

4:00 - 5:15 p.m.

The State of Nuclear Waste Transportation and Best Practices across the Country

(Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues - Waste Disposal)

The transportation of nuclear waste is an important issue facing the US. As nuclear plants are decommissioned and as operating plants continue to produce more waste, the country needs safe and efficient means of moving the waste to interim or permanent storage facilities. This panel will reflect on the history and current status of nuclear waste transportation along with best practices learned by experts in the industry.

Moderator:

Hon. Anthony O'Donnell, Maryland 

Panelists:

Dr. Kelly Horn Section Head, Environmental Management, Division of Nuclear Safety, Illinois Emergency Management Agency

Steven Edwards, Manager, Spent Fuel Management, Duke Energy 

Pamela Gorman Prochaska, Director, Nuclear Regulatory Policy & Strategy, Xcel Energy 

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

State Journeys in NEM and DER Rate Reform: A Long and Winding Road

NEM and DER rate reforms are underway in many, many states. This panel provides a high-level summary of those actions across the country, and takes a deep-dive look into how those issues are being addressed in key states. The session explores the sets of major decisions that Commissions are being asked to make about next-generation tariffs for DER, and asks the state representatives to tell us the most important lessons they have learned through their efforts to date.

Co-Moderators:

Hon. Michael Richard, Maryland 

Hon. Lillian Mateo-Santos, Puerto Rico 

Panelists:

Hon. Joseph Fiordaliso, New Jersey

Hon. David Ober, Indiana

Hon. Kimberly O'Guinn, Arkansas

Tom Stanton, Principal Researcher for Energy and Environment, National Regulatory Research Institute

Creative Momentum Class for Today and Tomorrow: DERs are Changing Everything

Got your crystal ball? Rapid advances in consumer technology and shifting consumer preferences are changing the kinds of grid services and product offerings that regulated utilities can and will be offering their customers. These changes are converging with public policy goals targeting clean energy, including decarbonization and its close cousin beneficial electricification. These broad trends of decentralization, connectivity, and automation are poised to fundamentally change the characteristics of utility industries. How might state commissions move forward into this new terrain? How are utilities assessing the paths that lie before them? Are there hidden roadblocks that must be addressed?  How have different states navigated such decisions?

Co-Moderators:

Hon. Lillian Mateo-Santos, Puerto Rico

Hon. Michael Richard, Maryland 

Panelists:

Cameron Brooks, President, Tolerable Planet Enterprises

Michael Delaney, Executive Director Regulatory Affairs and Policy, Consumers Energy, Co.

Anne Hoskins, Chief Policy Officer, Sunrun, Inc.

There’s a Major Change Headed Our Way: Forecasting DERs for Planning Purposes

As more attention moves to the distribution grid and the role that distributed energy resources (DERs) can play in meeting customers’ energy needs, it is imperative for utilities to plan for those resources---many of which will be installed without the kind of centralized planning and control typical for integrated resource planning (IRP)-style resources. Planning for DERs (often through distribution system planning [DSP] or integrated distribution planning [IDP]) includes predicting where the resources will be located, forecasting which kinds of resources will be installed, and calculating load shapes of those resources. This type of forecasting is an evolving field, drawing upon market segmentation practices, predictive analytics, and advanced modeling supported by major computing power. This panel will share innovations in DER forecasting being developed and deployed to date, discussing the abilities and limitations of current approaches.

Moderator:

Hon. Jeffery Ackermann, Colorado

Panelists:

Juliet Homer, Senior Energy Research Engineer, Energy Policy and Economics Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Kevin Kushman, President, Integral Analytics, Inc.

Patrick McCoy, Distributed Energy Strategy, Grid Strategy and Operations, Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Bringing the Renewable Heat: How Renewable Natural Gas Market Dynamics Are “Burning Up” Preconceived Notions of Traditional Regulatory Structures and Planning

Joint with the Committee on Gas

The speed at which RNG markets continue to move make it increasingly difficult to match with traditional notions of integrated resource planning, procurement, and cost effectiveness analytical frameworks. Not to mention, legislatures are warming up to the idea of renewable thermal portfolio standards, incentives, and carbon reduction strategies that continue to drive these markets into unchartered territory. This panel of experts will discuss how regulators can approach these market developments to ensure that their states are prepared to take advantage of this rapidly developing resource. Panelists will discuss strategies and tools that allow customers to take advantage of RNG offerings, including the developing voluntary and compliance markets.

Co-Moderators:

Hon. Megan Decker, Oregon

Hon. Mary-Anna Holden, New Jersey

Panelists:

Ben Gerber, Executive Director, Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System, Inc.

Zach Kravitz, Director, Rates & regulatory Affairs, NW Natural

Tanya Peacock, Public Policy and Planning Manager, Southern California Gas Company

McKenzie Schwartz, Analyst, Gas Utility of the Future, National Grid

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Committee on Gas Business Meeting

Agenda: 

• Introductions of new members of the Committee on Gas
• Round robin pipeline safety exchange
• Resolutions (if needed)

Co-moderators: 

Hon. Brandon Presley, Mississippi

Hon. Swain Whitfield, South Carolina

Panelists: 

Hon. Tonola Brown-Bland, North Carolina

Zoe Cadore, Policy Advisor, American Petroleum Institute

David Chislea, Manager, Gas Operations Section, Michigan Public Service Commission

Sherina Edwards, Commissioner Emeritus, Partner, Quarles & Brady, LLP

May Va Lor, Energy Researcher, Laborers' International Union of North America

1:30 - 1:45

Introductory Remarks and Orientation to RNG

Hon. Julie Brown, Florida

Dan LeFevers, Director, State & Consumer Programs, Gas Technology Institute

Understanding Real World Deployment of RNG through Case Studies 

As the RNG market continues to grow, this panel will explore the technical capability of renewable natural gas to meet market demand and will examine the potential role that RNG can play in meeting sustainability and emissions targets. The following panelists will discuss the growing market for RNG beyond just the transportation market and into direct use thermal applications. They will explore market decisions, various motivations to peruse RNG projects, RNG as a climate policy compliance tool, how buyers and sellers connect, and other questions.

Moderator: Hon. Paul Kjellander, Idaho

Panelists:  

Ryan Childress, Manager, Business Development, Dominion Energy

Blaine Collison, Senior Vice President, David Gardiner and Associates

Brian Jones, Senior Vice President, M.J. Bradley & Associates

Emily O'Connell, Director, Energy Markets Policy, American Gas Association

Jeff Stander, Senior Project Developer, Ameresco

Connecting the Dots between Supply and Demand: Integrating RNG into a Safe, Reliable, and Efficient Pipeline Network

Growing interest in RNG has led to questions for state regulators on how our current pipeline infrastructure may be affected by increasing RNG concentrations. Interconnecting RNG to the network requires coordination between project developers, utilities, and state regulators. This panel will explore issues related to RNG interconnection, including gas quality, integration, safety, and the efficient delivery of RNG to end users.

Moderators: 

Hon. D. Ethan Kimbrel, Illinois

Hon. Dianne Solomon, New Jersey

Panelists:  

Jay Hopper, Vice President of Business Development, Aria Energy

Stuart Nachmias, Vice President, Energy Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Con Edison

Jamie Ormond, Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst, Renewable Natural Gas, California Public Utilities Commission (invited)

Kristine Wiley, R&D Director, Gas Technology Institute

Bringing the Renewable Heat: How Renewable Natural Gas Market Dynamics Are “Burning Up” Preconceived Notions of Traditional Regulatory Structures and Planning

Joint panel with the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment and the Committee on Water

The speed at which RNG markets continue to move make it increasingly difficult to match with traditional notions of integrated resource planning, procurement, and cost effectiveness analytical frameworks. Not to mention, legislatures are warming up to the idea of renewable thermal portfolio standards, incentives, and carbon reduction strategies that continue to drive these markets into unchartered territory. This panel of experts will discuss how regulators can approach these market developments to ensure that their states are prepared to take advantage of this rapidly developing resource. Panelists will discuss strategies and tools that allow customers to take advantage of RNG offerings, including the developing voluntary and compliance markets.  

Moderators: 

Hon. Megan Decker, Oregon

Hon. Mary-Anna Holden, New Jersey

Panelists:  

Ben Gerber, Executive Director, Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System, Inc.

Zach Kravitz, Director, Rates & regulatory Affairs, NW Natural

Tanya Peacock, Public Policy and Planning Manager, Southern California Gas Company

McKenzie Schwartz, Analyst, Gas Utility of the Future, National Grid

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

CAF II Auction Results and the Upcoming RDOF Challenge

The FCC recently concluded its first widespread USF auction, awarding a relatively small tranche of approximately $150 million per year.  This initial auction, however, will soon be dwarfed by the FCC's "Rural Digital Opportunity Fund" auction, estimated at $2 billion per year and requiring minimum speeds of 25 Mbps/3 Mbps.  Moreover, while the CAF II Auction focused on areas that were largely unserved, it is expected that the RDOF Auction will also include areas served by price cap carriers that accepted over $9 billion in support of the past six years to deploy 10 Mbps/1 Mbps service.  This panel will provide an in-depth examination of the lessons learned from the CAF II Auction, as well as identify the new issues that will likely arise in the much larger, and more complicated RDOF auction system.  In addition, the panel will discuss implications for price cap ILECs that are overbuilt by the broadband networks of auction winners.

Moderator:

Hon. Dan Lipschultz, Minnesota

Panelists: 

Carol Mattey, Mattey Consulting LLC.

Joe Gillan, GIllan Associates

Federalism and the Future of Telecommunications - What's Next for States

The state role with respect to universal service and telecommunications oversight continues to evolve.  There seems to be a growing recognition of the need to integrate or at least coordinate universal service and broadband programs and initiatives among the various federal agencies, but it is not clear that federal policy makers have yet recognized the efficiencies of greater state involvement and coordination with State programs seeking the same goal. At the same time, there are two appeals outstanding that have the potential to change the scope of state oversight pending now in the Courts – the FCC’s Internet Freedom Appeal and a pending request for Supreme Court review of a recent 8^th Circuit decision, Charter v. Lange, expanding and arguably misapplying conflict preemption principles to bar state oversight of local phone services.  What do these cases and trends mean for state authority going forward? What does in mean if the Supreme Court does not grant certiorari to review the Charter decision?  What impact will a decision upholding the Internet Freedom decision have on State authority? What and where should State regulators focus their resources? This panel will offer some insight on  these and related questions on the ongoing role for state regulators.

Moderator:

Hon. Sarah Freeman, Indiana

Panelists:

Richard Berkley, Executive Director, New York's Utility Project

Brad Ramsay, General Counsel, NARUC

Michael Santorelli, Director, ACLP at New York Law School

Sana Sheikh, Senior Corporate Counsel, Granite Telecommunications

Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in February 2018 found that community water systems owned by regulated water companies are significantly less likely to violate the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) than water systems owned and run by local governments.  The study found that private ownership of a water system was “significantly associated with higher compliance” with the SDWA.  Panelists will address best practices and expectations for SDWA compliance

Moderator: TBA

Panelists:

Kyle Butts, Research Manager at Forward Observer

Cheryl Norton, President of Missouri American Water

Karen Stachowski, Assistant Attorney General at Consumer Advocate Unit of Tennessee Attorney General

1:30pm - 2:30pm

Extreme weather events and climate variation  What are the implications?

With the recent release of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, public attention is once again fixed on the importance of resilient infrastructure as it relates to implications of climate variability and extreme weather eventd.  Among other concerns, the report finds that our nation’s deteriorating water infrastructure exacerbates the climate risk faced by society and that the “quality and quantity of water available for use by people and ecosystems across the country are being affected by climate change, increasing risks and costs to agriculture, energy production, industry, recreation and the environment.”  Given these recent findings, it is essential that regulators get water policy right.  This panel will examine the report’s finding and discuss current approaches and policies to these concerns.

Moderator: 

Hon.  Comer "Randy" Randall, South Carolina

Panelists:

Suzanne Chiavari, Engineering Director, Treatment and Resiliency, American Water

Charles Davidson, New York Law School

Megan Levy, Local Energy Programs Manager, Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation

Michael Mares, Vice President, California Operations, California Water Service Group

Emerging Contaminants

Water quality considerations are under increased scrutiny as customer expectations continue to increase, contaminant testing technology advances and additional health impact studies becomes available.  Emerging contaminants such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are one of the most reported-on issues in the water space.  Across the country, water utilities are detecting emerging contaminants and many are struggling to assure water quality.  States like Michigan have acted swiftly to establish cleanup rules for some PFAS and recently New Hampshire has proposed drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) with many other states poised to impose similar standards.  This panel will address emerging contaminants and mitigation approaches as well as potential costs to ensure compliance.

Moderator:

Hon. John "Jack" Betkoski, III, Connecticut

Panelists:

Robert Scott, Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

David Spacht, Chief Financial Officer, Artesian Resources Corporation

Mark A. Vannoy, P.E., Technical Expert, ECT2