9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Telecom Staff Closed Session

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Broadband - Where's the Money?

The Congress, FCC, State Commissions, NTIA, RUS, State Broadband offices, Governor’s offices, and State Legislatures are all focused on solving the problem of the nation’s broadband gap. Literally, billions have been spent and billions more are available across the Federal, State and Local levels. What do state regulators need to know in order to work in with the policy makers and their programs to assemble a comprehensive strategy to achieve sustainable universal access to broadband?

Moderator:  Teresa Ferguson, Colorado

Panelists:

Carol Mattey, Principal, Mattey Consulting LLC

Sarah Tyree, Vice President, Policy and Public Affairs, CoBank

Brian O'Hara, Senior Director Regulatory Issues - Telecom & Broadband, NRECA

Joseph Gillan, Economist, Gillan Associates

2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Resolution Introduction & Industry Input

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

Closed Executive Session

1:30 p.m.

Welcome and Introductions

Hon. John (Butch) Howard, Subcommittee Chair, South Carolina

1:35 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

1:40 p.m.

School Education

Hon. Harold Gray, Delaware

1:50 p.m.

NARUC Domestic Grants and Research Update

Danielle Byrnett, Director of Domestic Grants and Research, NARUC

2:00 p.m.

NRRI Update

Carl Pechman, Executive Director

2:10 p.m.

ICER and Other Matters

Erin Hammel, Director, International Programs, NARUC

2:20 p.m.

Update on Subcommittee Projects

• New Commissioner Regulatory Orientation
• Summer Internships
• Applications for Consideration

Erin Hammel, Director, International Programs, NARUC

2:40 p.m.

Update on Staff Subcommittee Projects

• Survey(s) on training needs
• Scholarships
• Recommended changes to scholarship cover letter

Patti Lucarelli, Chair, Staff Subcommittee on Education and Research, Rhode Island

2:50 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

The 1996 Telecom Act is 23 Years Old – Is it Time for a New One?

23 years after the 1996 Telecom Act passed, where are we?  Has the Act outlived its usefulness?  Do we need a revision, an update, or something totally new?  This panel will discuss the legacy of the current Act and explore the key questions facing consumers, carriers, and commissions in 2019: How do we advance competition?  How can we advance broadband deployment and adoption?  Do we need a new universal service charter that will ensure that broadband deployment continues to be equitable across the country?  How do we make sure that consumers continue to receive the benefits of universal service, particularly in areas where federal funds have been used to advance or sustain deployment?

Moderator:  Sherry Lichtenberg, NRRI 

Panelists:

Hon. Mignon Clyburn, FCC Commissioner & Chairperson Emeritus

Gigi Sohn, Distinguished Fellow, Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy & Benton Senior Fellow

Rick Cimerman, Vice President, External & State Affairs, NCTA

Russ Hanser, Partner, Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Lifeline Assistance: What Exactly does Modernization Mean?

For decades, the federal Lifeline Assistance program has offered a lifeline to qualifying low-income consumers to ensure they have basic phone service to connect to job opportunities, community emergency and health services, as well as family and friends.  As the program expanded to include wireless phones, public utility commissions across the country found renewed consumer interest in Lifeline.  Now, the program is being modernized to include broadband and streamline eligibility and recertification processes. Learn what modernization means for carriers, commissions, and most importantly, consumers.

Moderator: Phil Boyle, Consumer Services Manager, Oregon PUC

Panelists:

Michelle Garber, Vice President of Lifeline, USAC

Ryan B. Palmer, Division Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, FCC

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Telecom Service Quality & the Customer Experience

Over the decades new technologies, services, evolving markets and legislative and regulatory frameworks have influenced service quality and the customer experience in complicated ways. What channels do consumers have today to voice their telecom service concerns and is it working for them?  The panel participants will provide insight  and discuss various paths and approaches for identifying and addressing consumer concerns and share their ideas for how the states can help improve the customer experience.

Moderator:  Lynn Notarianni, Colorado 

Panelists: 

Cynthia Walker, Communications Division Director, California PUC

Micah Caldwell, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC

Michael Saperstein, Vice President, USTelecom

Bruce Kusnick, New Networks Institute

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Empowering Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives in the Utility Industry

To Drive Awareness, Action & Accountability

The Utility Industry has a call-to-action to implement diversity initiatives that evolves the industry to a more inclusive and socially responsible sector among all segments including consumer engagement, supplier procurement, and corporate culture.  Studies prove that communities and businesses prosper when such values are incorporated. Therefore, for such change to take place, we must understand the available methods and tools available to connect with minority groups, define and track goals, and deliver measurable results.

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

9:15 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.

Session 1: Learn How the Department of Energy Optimizes Opportunities for Diversity & Inclusion Throughout the Country.

In addition to ensuring America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy and environmental challenges through transformative solutions, the Department of Energy (DOE) is also charged with availing diverse communities throughout the United States with awareness and access to opportunities in the energy sector.  This session will highlight the solutions the DOE is implementing to ensure that minorities are represented and afforded participation in the critical aspects of the industry.

Moderator:

Hon. Sadzi M. Oliva, Illinois

Panelist:

Hon. James E. Campos, Director of Economic Impact & Diversity, Department of Energy

9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.

Session 2: A Deep Dive on Supplier & Workforce Diversity: How Diversity Councils and Supplier Diversity Directors Lead the Way.

This session will focus on diversity councils’ and energy companies’ commitment to increase knowledge of and access to energy sector opportunities across diverse communities throughout the United States. Speakers from Exelon, NUDC, and the IUBDC will discuss the impact that legislative energy policies, regulations, and programs have on minority communities, minority institutions, and specific segments of the US populations; and the need to ensure that minorities are represented and afforded opportunities to participate in the important aspects of the energy sector.  Speakers will discuss how they bring awareness to the important issue of diversity and inclusion in the workforce, what needs to be done to address this issue, and how to get it done.

Moderator:

Hon. Sadzi M. Oliva, Illinois

Panelists:

Bruce Hauk, Chairman of IUBDC, President of IL American Water

Keisha Parker, Director of Supplier Diversity, Exelon

Laurie Dowling, Executive Director, NUDC

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Session 3: From Military Force to Workforce: How America’s Finest are Fit for Professional Services

Leadership ability, strong communication and work ethic are among the several skills that veterans develop during their time serving in the military. What many don’t realize is how seamlessly veterans’ skills translate beyond the service industry to the professional services sector. This panel will discuss veteran recruitment in the energy industry and what we as an industry can do to foster professional service opportunities in the professional services sector.

Moderator:

Hon. Sadzi M. Oliva, Illinois

Panelists:

Hon. Angela Weber, Executive Director, MISO

Mark Whitt, Managing Partner, Whitt Sturtevant

Kateri Riley, Associate, Drexel Hamilton

11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Session 4: What’s Next for Supplier & Workforce Diversity

To move the needle on diversity and inclusion in the Utility arena, leaders including Commissioners, Chief Officers, Community Advocates, and Legislators must take protective steps to develop a go-forward plan with the necessary factors and next steps to avail change now.  This session will brief attendance at a recent policy forum in Minnesota, hosted by Hispanics In Energy, that brought together Utility leaders to address the gap between minorities and policy, programs, and leadership in the State.

Moderator:

Hon. Sadzi M. Oliva, Illinois

Panelist:

Jose Perez, Chairman & CEO, Hispanics in Energy 

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Meeting Room 5

Sharpening Your 2020 Vision for Community-Based Clean Energy

Community solar is already expanding rapidly in dozens of states, with 19 states and the District of Columbia already taking legislative or regulatory actions, or both, to establish programing basics. Plus, there are an additional 23 states where one or more utility-sponsored programs is active. Surveys by the Smart Electric Power Alliance identified 171 active utility programs at the end of 2016 and 229 at the end of 2017. GTM Research shows community solar growing rapidly, and estimates the community solar market potential is as large as 60 to 80 gigawatts by 2030, with cumulative capitalization in the range of $100 billion. Plus, there is growing interest about how to extend the benefits of community solar to also apply to community storage or even more generally to any kinds of community clean energy. Come to this panel to share lessons learned to date and get visions of what is on the horizon. 

Moderator: TBA

Panelists:

Sean Gallagher, Vice President for State Affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association

Brandon Smithwood, Policy Director, Coalition for Community Solar Access

Medha Surampudy, Director of Community Solar Research, Smart Electric Power Alliance

10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Ballroom North

The Latest in Rate Design Innovations

(Joint with Staff Subcommittee on Rate Design)

This panel will discuss new developments and ideas in rate design such as demand centric time of use (TOU) rates and dynamic locational rates as well as designs analogous to Netflix and Amazon-like subscription rates. Hear from experts as they discuss customer preferences, lessons learned, and how new technology interfaces with different rate designs.

Moderator:

Robert Stump, Executive Director, Arizona Energy Policy Group

Panelists:

Lon Huber, Navigant, Director

Alana Lemarchand, Partner & Principal, Demand Side Analytics

Leland Snook, Director, Rates & Rate Strategy, Arizona Public Service Company

9:00-10:15 a.m.

Green Tariffs:  How to satisfy customer and utility needs?

Utilities across the country have begun offering renewable energy programs, often called green tariffs, to their larger commercial and industrial customers and even to universities and local governments. These programs allow customers to meet their sustainability and renewable energy goals—but some programs have worked better than others. This panel will share lessons learned and best practices, and discuss the extensive considerations of the utility when designing a program for commission approval as well the perspective of the customer in deciding whether to participate.

Moderator:   

Jamie Barber, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Manager, Georgia

Panelists:      

Caitlin Marquis, Manager, Federal and State Policy, Advanced Energy Buyer's Group

Greg Tillman, Senior Manager, Energy Regulatory Analysis, Walmart

Pete Neetles, Renewable Energy Manager, Georgia Power Company

Jon Piliaris, Director Regulatory Affairs, Puget Sound Energy

10:15-10:30 a.m.

Networking Break

10:30-11:45 a.m.

Joint Panel with Staff Subcommittee on Energy Resources and the Environment

The Latest in Rate Design Innovations

This panel will discuss new developments and ideas in rate design such as demand centric time of use (TOU) rates and dynamic locational rates as well as designs analogous to Netflix and Amazon-like subscription rates. Hear from experts as they discuss customer preferences, lessons learned, and how new technology interfaces with different rate designs. 

Moderator:

Robert Stump, Executive Director, Arizona Energy Policy Group

Panelists:

Lon Huber, Navigant, Director

Alana Lemarchand, Partner & Principal, Demand Side Analytics

Leland Snook, Director, Rates & Rate Strategy, Arizona Public Service Company

9:00-10:15 a.m.

Renaissance West A

Closed Session

10:45 - 12:00 p.m.

Renaissance East 

Lifeline Assistance: What Exactly does Modernization Mean?

For decades, the federal Lifeline Assistance program has offered a lifeline to qualifying low-income consumers to ensure they have basic phone service to connect to job opportunities, community emergency and health services, as well as family and friends.  As the program expanded to include wireless phones, public utility commissions across the country found renewed consumer interest in Lifeline.  Now, the program is being modernized to include broadband and streamline eligibility and recertification processes. Learn what modernization means for carriers, commissions, and most importantly, consumers.

Moderator: Phil Boyle, Consumer Services Manager, Oregon PUC

Panelists:

Michelle Garber, Vice President of Lifeline, USAC

Ryan B. Palmer, Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, FCC

1:30-2:00 p.m.

This session will provide committee members insight into the newly created Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response within DOE - its duties and responsibilities.

Speaker:

Hon. Karen Evans, Assistant Secretary

2:00-2:30 p.m.

Partner Update

Panelist:

Kate Marks, DOE

Joe McClellan and David Andrejcak, FERC

Mike Howard, CEO, EPRI

2:30-3:00 p.m.

Discussion on the Crisis Event Response and Recovery (CERRA) Framework

Speaker:

George Remteria, DHS,

3:00-3:10 PM

3:10-3:50 p.m.

Research on the survey of state commission works and regulatory issues on ensuring resiliance and cybersecurity inversments.

Speaker:

Mark James, Professor Vermont Law School

3:50-4:20 p.m.

Discussion on micro grids and resiliance with a look toward military facilities on nearby communities

Speaker:

Michael McGhee, Office of Army Energy Initative

4:20-5:00 p.m.

Business session:

Consideration of Resolution, Legislative Update and Critical Infrastructure Committee Update

Speakers:

David Alexander,

Lynn Costantini,

Matt Acho,

Brad Ramsay

1:30 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.

Welcome, Introductions, Approval of Minutes

Hon. David Danner  – Chair, IRC – Washington UTC

Report on NARUC International Activities

Erin Hammel – Director, International Department, NARUC

North American Energy Integration: A view from Capitol Hill

Last year, the Government Accountability Office – the investigative arm of Congress – was asked to review the role of US government agencies in supporting the integration of North American energy markets and their associated infrastructure. A report produced by the GAO in August examined how the United States, Canada and Mexico cooperate in the energy sector and how US agencies facilitate that cooperation, and compiled ideas for expanding energy integration. In this panel, the author of the report will present its findings. Energy regulators from Canada and Mexico will respond.

Moderator: Hon. David Danner  – Chair, IRC – Washington UTC

Panelists:  Kimberly Gianopoulos - Director, International Affairs and Trade, US Government Accountability Office

Hon. David Morton - Chair, International Relations, CAMPUT; Chair, British Columbia UC

Mexico Commission on Energy Regulation representative (invited)

Power Markets in Central America

Dr. Belt and Ms. Alvarado de Córdoba will present the results of their work on Central American power markets, in which they studied power sector reforms in the region and measures to improve the functioning of the markets. They will discuss the applicability of their work to other developing regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Dr. Belt will also discuss his paper on power sector reforms in Haiti, which earned a the 2018 ICER Distinguished Scholar Award in the category of Impact on Development Countries from The International Confederation of Energy Regulators.

Moderator: Hon. Sadzi Oliva  – Illinois CC

Panelists: Juan A.B. Belt – Senior Associate (non-resident),           Center for   Strategic and International Studies

Silvia Alvarado de Córdoba – Independent consultant

USAID representative (invited)

US Energy Association Update

Much in the way that NARUC works with international energy regulators, the US Energy association focuses on assisting utilities, market operators and other energy sector entities in developing countries. In recent years, there has been increased interaction and cooperation NARUC and USEA. Two of USEA’s managers will present a brief overview of some of their organization’s recent work.

Moderator: Hon. David Danner  – Chair, IRC – Washington UTC

Panelists:  Elliot Roseman – USEA

Will Polen – USEA

Energy Reform in Germany: Progress or Stagnation?   

Recent analyses of the energy sector reforms in Germany – the “Energiewende” – have taken vastly different views of its progress. One school of thought is that the reforms have essentially stalled and will need a major push to resume forward motion. Other analysts take a more positive view, pointing to steady progress. In this panel discussion, a scholar and a representative of the German government will offer their perspectives.

Moderator: Andrew Melnykovych – Chair, Staff Subcommittee on        International Relations – Kentucky PSC

Panelists: Jens Acker – Counselor, Energy and Climate Policy, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

Jonas Nahm – School of Advanced International Studies,    Johns Hopkins University

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Renaissance West A

Business Meeting

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Ballroom North

Consumers and Catastrophes: A Guide on Preparation and Recovery

When disasters threaten, consumers need information on what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.  The CPI Committee, with support from NARUC’s Executive Board, is bridging the information gap that often occurs during disasters.  Their just released (hot off the website!), Consumers & Catastrophes Guide, is a consumer resource on how to prepare and recover from disasters!  This interactive, audience included, roundtable discussion will cover the Guide’s need and purpose. Hear how utilities, commissions, consumer advocates, and local governments are ensuring that--be it a volcano eruption or a hurricane--consumers will know how to work with their utilities in preparation and restoration. 

Moderators: Hon. Maida Colman, Missouri, and Hon. Odogwu Obi Linton, Maryland

Panelists:

Hon. Larry Friedeman, Ohio

J.R. Kelly, Public Council, Florida Office of Public Counsel

Northwest Natural Gas representative 

Closed Meeting

1:30- 3:45 p.m

Joint with Staff Subcommittee on Electricity

Retail Gas Market Overview 

Over 20 years ago, competition was introduced in the retail natural gas market.  With the exception of 2, retail competition is part of "standard operations" for all states.  Most regulators are familiar with electricity marketing.  Just Energy will provide a detailed description of how natural gas is marketed from commodity acquisition to forecasting, nominating and delivering the commodity.

Facilitator: Andreas Thanos, Chair, Staff Subcommittee on Gas

Presenter: Mark Reese, U.S. Natural Gas Supply, Just Energy

Energy Information Administration -- The New England Toolbox

On January 23, 2019, the US Energy Information Administration released a new product to provide information on natural gas, electricity and petroleum consumption in the Northeast.  
Although at this time, EIA does not have firm plans to develop other regional dashboards, this is a topic likely to be considered seriously in the future. 
The presentation will highlight the benefits of the tool and how it can be used to assist regulators and market participants better understand the markets. 

Facilitator: Andreas Thanos, Chair, Staff Subcommittee on Gas

Presenter: Barbara Mariner-Volpe, U.S. Energy Information Administration

2:40 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.

The Value of Natural Gas Infrastructure

The presentation will focus on the value of natural gas infrastructure and its ability to provide unparalleled amounts of energy storage and delivery as well as reliability for homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.

Facilitator: Andreas Thanos, Chair, Staff Subcommittee on Gas

Presenter: Daniel LeFevers, Director, State & Consumer Programs, Gas Technology Institute

Natural Gas LDCs: Impediments to Infrastructure Expansion or Repair 

Accelerated Infrastructure programs are in place to help utilities become more efficient in the delivery of natural gas and consumers to benefit from this efficient delivery.  When municipalities face revenue shortages, there is concern that they may use their power to extract additional benefits from the LDCs.  The presentation will discuss the experience of one gas utility that operates in several states and how the utility ensures that its customers are not burdened with unnecessary costs.  
 

Facilitator: Andreas Thanos, Chair, Staff Subcommittee on Gas

Presenter: Mike Cassel, Director, Regulatory & Governmental Affairs at Florida Public Utilities Company

Representatives from the Business Council for Sustainable Energy will offer a preliminary look of the  BCSE-BNEF 2019 edition of the "Sustainable Energy in America Factbook."  The Factbook, produced annually, for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, provides up-to-date, accurate market information about the broad range of industries — energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy— that are contributing to the country’s move towards cleaner energy production and more efficient energy usage.

Facilitator: Lisa Gorsuch, Emergency Preparedness Manager, Public Utility Commission of Oregon

Presenter: Ruth McCormick, Director, Federal and State Affairs Business Council for Sustainable Energy

3:00 - 5:00 p.m

Agenda coming

1:30-5:00 p.m

Closed Meeting

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Public Purpose Microgrids

(Joint Session with the Staff Subcommittee on Electric Reliability) 

Public purpose microgrids are often neglected from policy conversations.  Yet, if properly structured and planned, some microgrids can support critical services like fire and police stations, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure and businesses during emergency situations. Despite their benefits, public purpose microgrids face challenges associated with their costs and potential reliability and safety concerns associated with their interconnection.  Facilitating the use of public microgrids will require consideration of interconnection rules and standards and cost recovery, including the potential for using alternative cost recovery and regulatory models.

Moderator: 

Ryan Laruwe, Michigan Staff 

Panelists: 

Lon Huber, Director, Energy, Navigant

Shay Bahramirad, Vice President, Engineering and Smart Grid, ComEd

Jason Allnutt, Conformity Assessment Program Specialist, IEEE

2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

FERC Order 841 Update

In February 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted to remove barriers to the participation of electric storage resources in the capacity, energy, and ancillary services markets operated by Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs). FERC indicated that its order will enhance competition and promote greater efficiency in the nation’s electric wholesale markets, and will help support the resilience of the bulk power system.  On December 3, 2018, the ISOs and RTOs filed their compliance filings.  Responding parties have until February 7, 2019 to file comments.  This panel will provide an overview of each of the compliance filings, the commenter filings/reactions, as well as next steps.

Moderator: 

Kimberly Duffley, North Carolina Staff 

Panelists: 

Jason Burwen, Vice President, Policy, Energy Storage Association

Jeff Dennis, Managing Director and General Counsel, Advanced Energy Economy

Randolph Elliott, Senior Director, Regulatory Counsel, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Jennifer Murphy, Director of Energy Policy and Senior Counsel, NARUC

Denise Foster, Vice President, State and Member Services, PJM 

2:00-3:30 p.m

Closed Meeting

2:00-3:30 p.m

Closed Meeting

3:00-5:00 p.m.

Closed Meeting-For Commission Staff Only

Joint with Staff Subcommittee on Information Services

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Joint with Staff Subcommittee on Executive Management

3:45 - 5:00

Overview of Cost and Performance Estimates for Greenfield and retrofit Post-Combustion Carbon Capture Systems

The U.S. Department of Energy, through its National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), conducts and administers a broad research and development (R&D) program aimed at producing competitively-priced electric power with a focus on improving efficiency, increasing plant availability, reducing cooling water requirements, and achieving ultra-low emissions.  The Carbon Capture program aims to accomplish these goals while capturing carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants.  In order to ascertain the effectiveness of R&D and determine progress toward program goals, NETL has developed a series of baseline cases to enable accurate comparison of R&D technologies to state-of-the-art systems.  These baselines include carbon capture cost and performance estimates, in addition to estimates for the base power plant, using systems available from vendors for introductory commercial application in both greenfield and retrofit applications.  This presentation will provide an overview of NETL’s estimates for coal and natural gas power plants, both with and without carbon capture.  Additionally, information will be provided on analyses and tools developed to assess the costs for carbon capture retrofits.

Speaker: 

Timothy Fout, Engineer, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Energy Process Analysis Team

Expanding the U.S. Coal Value Chain: An Overview of the U.S. DOE Coal Beneficiation Program

Over 90% of the coal produced in the U.S. is used to generate electricity. However, this market has declined in recent years. To continue to extract the full economic value from our Nation’s coal resources, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), though its National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), initiated a Coal Beneficiation Program in April 2018.

The Coal Beneficiation Program is focused on developing new high-value products derived from coal, enhancing the value of coal as a feedstock and improving available coal property databases.  High-value carbon products such as carbon fiber, carbon nanomaterials and carbon additives for cements and structural composites represent new business opportunities in unconventional industries for coal. Enhancing the value of coal as a feedstock will increase traditional domestic and global markets for U.S. coal in power generation and steelmaking, while expanding existing coal property databases informs potential consumers in both domestic and global markets on the extraordinary value of U.S. coal resources.

This presentation will provide an overview of the DOE Coal Beneficiation Program, including a look at some of the initial projects that have been awarded.

Speaker: 

Anthony Zinn, Engineer, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Enabling Technologies & Partnerships Team

Welcome Remarks: Hon. Nick Wagner, Iowa

EPA Update: Andrew Wheeler, Acting Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency

Data and Analysis Initiatives: Dr. Linda Capuano, Administrator, US Energy Information Administration

The Journey to Self-Reliance and the Challenges of the Twenty First Century:  Brock Bierman, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, US Agency for International Development

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

Real World, Real Progress, Real Challenges: Evolving to Align Electricity Planning Approaches

(Joint Session with the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment) 

The NARUC-NASEO Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning will soon begin exploring opportunities for better alignment and integration of distribution and resource planning from a regulatory and policy perspective. To ensure this effort is as useful as possible, it will be grounded in newly emerging innovations in aligning planning practices across the country. This session will explore new ideas and initial approaches. Speakers will highlight their visions for more holistic planning and highlight concrete activities occurring in key states. Additionally, Task Force co-chairs Jeffrey Ackermann and Beth Trombold will announce the roster of states participating in the Task Force over the next two years.

Moderators:

Hon. Jeffrey Ackermann, Colorado

Hon. Beth Trombold, Ohio

Panelists:

Hon. Sally Talberg, Michigan

Colton Ching, Senior VP, Planning & Technology, Hawaiian Electric

Anda Ray, Senior VP, Energy, Environment, and External Relations, EPRI

Incrementalism is the Name of the Game: The Future of Power Markets in the West

State commissions in the West continue to grapple with understanding the costs, benefits, and other implications of regional grid integration in the Western Interconnection. To date, three RTOs have vied for a leading role in integrating the 38 utility balancing areas into one or more regional transmission systems. In the meantime, the Western Energy Imbalance Market (“EIM”) – a multi-state real-time market – continues to grow, realizing over $500 million in gross benefits since 2014. With the proven success of the EIM, utilities and stakeholders are now considering the potential for even greater benefits by adding day-ahead market services to the EIM footprint – the “EDAM”. This panel discussion will serve as a deep dive on EDAM, including what it is and what it isn’t, and how best to design a market that’s “not quite” an RTO. The panel will further discuss EDAM within the context of the unique features and needs of the Western Interconnection, including the range of different utility business models, the transmission topology (including existing transmission contracts), contrasting public policies, and diverse resource mixes.

Moderator:

Hon. Ann Rendahl, Washington 

Panelists:

Hon. Kristine Raper, Idaho

David Mills, Senior VP, Policy and Energy Supply, Puget Sound Energy

Jennifer Gardner, Senior Staff Attorney, Western Resource Advocates

Travis Kavulla, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy, R Street, and Member, Western EIM Governing Body 

The Missing Piece? A Discussion of the Role of Nuclear Energy in Climate Change Mitigation.

(Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues - Waste Disposal)

Carbon emissions are the factor that links energy policy and climate change policy together. Issues around existing generation, investments in new generation, and how to properly value carbon emissions in energy prices are playing into policy discussions both at state and national levels. This panel will examine how nuclear energy fits into the conversation on climate change, the potential roles nuclear energy can play in carbon emission mitigation, and some of the costs and benefits of supporting existing nuclear plants and investing in new nuclear generation for the purpose of producing zero carbon electricity.

Moderator:

Hon. Anthony O'Donnell, Maryland

Panelists:  

John Parsons, Executive Director, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Massachussetts Institute of Technology

Steve Clemmer, Director of Energy Research & Analysis, Climate and Energy, Union of Concerned Scientists 

Doug Vine, Senior Energy Fellow, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

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

Ballroom North

Real World, Real Progress, Real Challenges: Evolving to Align Electricity Planning Approaches

Comprehensive Electricity Planning (Joint with Committee on Electricity)

The NARUC-NASEO Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning will soon begin exploring opportunities for better alignment and integration of distribution and resource planning from a regulatory and policy perspective. To ensure this effort is as useful as possible, it will be grounded in newly emerging innovations in aligning planning practices across the country. This session will explore new ideas and initial approaches. Speakers will highlight their visions for more holistic planning and highlight concrete activities occurring in key states. Additionally, Task Force co-chair Jeffrey Ackermann and co-vice-chair Beth Trombold will announce the roster of states participating in the Task Force over the next two years

Co-Moderators: 

Hon. Jeff Ackermann, Colorado

Hon. Beth Trombold, Ohio

Panelists: 

Hon. Sally Talberg, Michigan

Colton Ching, Senior Vice President, Planning & Technology, Hawaiian Electric

Anda Ray, Senior Vice President, External Relations & Technical Resources, Electric Power Research Institute

1:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Congressional Ballroom

Renewable Natural Gas - A Straight "Trash" Talk That Helps Regulators and Stakeholders "Digest" This expanding Market (Joint with Committee on Gas)

This panel of experts involved in the renewable natural gas (RNG) markets will share exciting cutting edge RNG case studies and what is needed for successful biomethane development and how it may fit in the state regulatory space.  Issues examined will include the growing voluntary market for RNG purchases explored by utilities, interested businesses and other advocacy groups. The panel’s goal is to provide a thorough discussion on high-value end-use markets for renewable natural gas, and the role states and utilities can play in advancing RNG, including the latest renewable natural gas technologies, as well as regulatory and legislative solutions to developing more renewable natural gas projects.

Co-Moderators:

Hon. Katie Sieben, Minnesota, Hon. Richard Lozier Jr., Iowa

Panelists: 

Benjamin Gerber, Executive Director, M-RETS

Ryan Childress, Manager, New Business Development Dominion Energy

Sheri Givens, Vice President, US Regulatory & Customer Strategy, National Grid

Paul Niznik, Senior Consultant at Argus Consulting Services

2:45 p.m. - 3: 45 p.m.

Ballroom South

ERE Business Meeting

Presentation: NASEO - NARUC's Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB) Initiative

In this brief session, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), and NARUC staff will discuss the goals and engagement opportunities of the newly forming NASEO-NARUC Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB) Working Group. NASEO and NARUC are working with the U.S. Department of Energy to advance analysis, options, and pilots that address the role of buildings in delivering energy efficiency, demand reduction, and electricity supplies in ways that help to optimize grid performance and reliability

Presenters:

David Nemtzow, Director, Building Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy

Danielle Sass Byrnett, Director, Center for Partnerships & Innovation, NARUC

Rodney Sobin, Senior Program Director, National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)

Update: Sustainable Energy in America Factbook

Presenter: 

Ruth McCormick, Director, Federal and State Affairs, Business Council for Sustainable Energy

Resolutions

Mary Kilmarx Award

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

Pipeline Safety –Emerging Issues for 2019 and beyond (Joint Session with Committee on Consumers and the Public Interest, Subcommittee for Pipeline Safety and Washington Action)

Engaging discussion on federal and state regulatory issues impacting and affecting pipeline safety. Such topics may include, among others, updates on Safety Management Systems, upcoming pipeline reauthorization planning, cybersecurity issues, operator qualifications, pending PHMSA regulations, workforce development, over pressurization and other timely issues.

Moderators: Hon. Norm Saari, Michigan, Hon. Kara Brighton Fornstrom (Wyoming)

Panelists:

1. Corey Capasso, CEO, Urbint 
2. Lori Traweek, COO, American Gas Association 
3. Susan A. Olenchuk, Partner, Van Ness Feldman 
4. PHMSA Leadership (invited)

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Renewable Natural Gas--A Straight “Trash” Talk that helps regulators and stakeholders “Digest” this expanding market (Joint session with the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment)

This panel of experts involved in the renewable natural gas (RNG) markets will share exciting cutting edge RNG case studies and what is needed for successful biomethane development and how it may fit in the state regulatory space.   Issues examined will include the growing voluntary market for RNG purchases explored by utilities, interested businesses and other advocacy groups. The panel’s goal is to provide a thorough discussion on high-value end-use markets for renewable natural gas, and the role states and utilities can play in advancing RNG, including the latest renewable natural gas technologies, as well as regulatory and legislative solutions to developing more renewable natural gas projects.

Moderators: Hon. Katie Sieben, Minnesota, Hon. Richard Lozier, Jr., Iowa

Panelists:

1. Benjamin Gerber, Executive Director, M-RETS
2. Ryan Childress, Manager, New Business Development Dominion Energy
3. Sheri Givens, Vice President, US Regulatory & Customer Strategy, National Grid
4. Paul Niznik, Senior Consultant at Argus Consulting Services
5. Harrison Clay, President of Clean Energy Renewables 

CEO Deep Dive Panel--From Rhetoric to Grid Reliability, Resilience and Market Infrastructure Realities (Joint Session with the Committee on International Relations) 

A deep dive with key leaders in the energy markets discussing how they and their entities are responding to the current market realities and planning for future transformations.  It will be an engaging and interactive dialogue to help inform regulators and other stakeholders.

Introductory Remarks by Asia Edge Senior Official Representative on its Gas Initiatives to enhance development and growth

Moderators: Hon. Ellen Nowak, Wisconsin, Hon. Lawrence Friedeman, Ohio

Panelists:

1. Paula Gant, Principal, Curiosus Energy
2. Scott Prochazka, President and CEO, CenterPoint Energy 
3. David Velasquez, President & CEO for Pepco Holdings 
4. Alan Armstrong, President & CEO of Williams Companies, Inc. and Transportation Infrastructure Study Chair of National Petroleum Council 
5. Orlando Alvarez, President and CEO, BP Energy Company 

10:45 a.m.- 11:45 a.m. 

SOMOS – TRANSITION OF THE NANPA AND PA Role

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has awarded Somos, Inc., the leading provider of neutral Toll-Free numbering and registry administration services for the telecommunications industry, the contracts to serve as the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) and Pooling Administrator (PA) including the Routing Number Administrator (RNA).   SOMOS leadership will provide an overview of the completed transition plan for the NANPA and PA, as well as identify key information sources and contacts for NARUC members regarding NANPA, PA, and Toll-Free numbering administration.

Moderator:  Catherine Palcic, Manager, Strategic Industry Relations & Public Policy, SOMOS

Panelists:

John Manning, Sr. Director, Number Administration, SOMOS

Kim Miller, Senior Corporate Counsel, SOMOS

Mary Retka, Vice President, Industry Relations & Public Policy, SOMOS

Beth Sprague, Director, NANPA

Florence Weber, Director of Pooling Administration, SOMOS

The Latest From Wall Street

Research and Investment experts share their insight on the Telecom Industry today, as seen by the markets.

Moderator:  Hon. Paul Kjellander, Idaho

Panelists:

Frank Louthan, Managing Director, Telecom Equity Research, Raymond James

Jennifer Fritzche, Managing Director (Equities), Wells Fargo

David Herbert, Managing Director (Fixed Income), Wells Fargo

Crisis Event Response and Recovery Access (CERRA) Effort

Joint with the Committee on Critical Infrastructure

The capability for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) authorities to safely, securely, and effectively control and coordinate the access of key response and recovery resources into an affected area during an emergency has been identified as a critical success factor in enabling overall community recovery. The management of access is particularly important during incidents that require significant population evacuations to ensure the coordination of public or private sector response and recovery assets, restoration of critical infrastructure and essential public services, and a safe and orderly return of community members to an affected area. To assist with the access and re-entry issue, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has developed the Crisis Event Response and Recovery Access (CERRA) Framework to support state and local efforts to enable the successful transit and access of critical response and recovery resources before, during, and after emergencies, regardless of incident size.

Moderator:  Hon. Johann Clendenin, USVI

Presenter: George Renteria, (Acting) Chief Emergency Services Section, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency,  US Dep't of Homeland Security

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 

Cybersecurity:  Compliant or Complacent?

This discussion will review and detail the new and resilient approaches to adding security, identity and more highly secure devices to currently installed water grid infrastructure such as  Supervisory and Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Industrial Control (ICS) Systems for water grids while adding new more secure devices, to the network.   Due to our nation’s aging infrastructure and legacy systems, the best solution may be for firms to segment and segregate their monitoring, communication and control networks using an identity-based approach to control network communications.

Moderator:     Hon. Michael A. Caron, Connecticut    

Panelists:        Whitney Kellett, Aqua America

                        Michael Murray, BlackRidge Technology

                        Nick Santillo, American Water

Just what is blockchain?  Learn how utilization of its analytics can model water table depletion, changing aquifers and flood-predictive modeling.  Are you prepared for that worst case scenario?

Moderator:     Hon. Brien Sheahan, Illinois

Panelists:        Joe Fillingham, Science Lead, Wellntel         

             Chris Rezendes, Spherical Analytics

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed on December 22, 2017, and took effect on January 1, 2018.  While a majority of the headlines focused on the decrease in corporate tax rates from 35% to 21%, that wasn’t the entire story.  The passage of the TCJA had significant additional implications, notably the change in taxability of Contributions and Advances for the water and wastewater utilities.  Its impacts will be illustrated and discussed.

Moderator:     Hon. Brad Johnson, Montana

Panelists:       James Jenkins, American Water

                        Richard Sobolewski, Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel

                        David Spacht, Artesian Water

10:45-11:45 a.m.

Congressional Ballroom

Pipeline Safety –Emerging Issues for 2019 and Beyond

(joint with Committee on Gas, Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety [and Staff Subcommittee], and Washington Action)

Engaging discussion on federal and state regulatory issues impacting and affecting pipeline safety. Such topics may include, among others, updates on Safety Management Systems, upcoming pipeline reauthorization planning, cybersecurity issues, operator qualifications, pending PHMSA regulations, workforce development, over pressurization and other timely issues.

Moderators: Hon. Norm Saari, Michigan  

                      Hon. Kara Brighton Fornstrom, Wyoming

Panelists:

Susan A. Olenchuk, Partner, Van Ness Feldman 

Lori Traweek, COO, American Gas Association

PHMSA Representative TBA

Urbint Representative TBA

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Renaissance West A

Cybersecurity:  Compliant or Complacent?

Joint with Committee on Water

This discussion will review and detail the new and resilient approaches to adding security, identity and more highly secure devices to currently installed water grid infrastructure such as  Supervisory and Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Industrial Control (ICS) Systems for water grids while adding new more secure devices, to the network.   Due to our nation’s aging infrastructure and legacy systems, the best solution may be for firms to segment and segregate their monitoring, communication and control networks using an identity-based approach to control network communications.

Moderator:     Hon. Michael A. Caron, Connecticut    

Panelists:        Whitney Kellett, Aqua America

                        Michael Murray, BlackRidge Technology

                        Nick Santillo, American Water

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Renaissance East

Crisis Event Response and Recovery Access (CERRA) Effort

Joint with the Committee on Telecommunications

The capability for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) authorities to safely, securely, and effectively control and coordinate the access of key response and recovery resources into an affected area during an emergency has been identified as a critical success factor in enabling overall community recovery. The management of access is particularly important during incidents that require significant population evacuations to ensure the coordination of public or private sector response and recovery assets, restoration of critical infrastructure and essential public services, and a safe and orderly return of community members to an affected area. To assist with the access and re-entry issue, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has developed the Crisis Event Response and Recovery Access (CERRA) Framework to support state and local efforts to enable the successful transit and access of critical response and recovery resources before, during, and after emergencies, regardless of incident size.

Moderator:  TBD

Presenter: George Renteria, (Acting) Chief Emergency Services Section, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency,  US Dep't of Homeland Security

10:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Subcommittee on Law will conduct a working meeting regarding the National Conference of Regulatory Attorneys, as well as discuss other timely legal topics related to public utilities.

(For Government Attorneys or Subcommittee Alumni Only)

2:40-4:00 p.m

CEO Deep Dive Panel--From Rhetoric to Grid Reliability, Resilience and Market Infrastructure Realities (Joint Session with the Committee on Gas) 

A deep dive with key leaders in the energy markets discussing how they and their entities are responding to the current market realities and planning for future transformations.  It will be an engaging and interactive dialogue to help inform regulators and other stakeholders.

Introductory Remarks by Asia Edge Senior Official Representative on its Gas Initiatives to enhance development and growth

Moderators: Hon. Ellen Nowak, Wisconsin, Hon. Lawrence Friedeman, Ohio

Panelists:

1. Paula Gant, Principal, Curiosus Energy
2. Scott Prochazka, President and CEO, CenterPoint
3. David Valesquez, President & CEO for Pepco Holdings 
4. Alan Armstrong, President & CEO of Williams Companies, Inc. and Transportation Infrastructure Study Chair of National Petroleum Council 
5. Orlando Alvarez, President and CEO, BP Energy Company 

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

General Session: Creating Smart Communities

Smart communities leverage shared infrastructure, data and new technology to help drive efficiencies, improve sustainability, spur economic development, and enhance the quality of life for their citizens. As the interest in smart connected communities continues to grow, the integration of advanced technologies and common communication platforms will create new opportunities for collaboration among utilities, state regulators, community leaders, technology companies, universities and the general public to achieve these goals. Funding and cost recovery for projects in multi-jurisdictional environments, mixing ratepayer funds and taxpayer funds, will not be without challenges for both regulated and commercial entities, but in the end the benefits of a smart community will be worth the effort. This session will explore the value of smart communities and the need for collaboration among multiple entities, regulated and unregulated. Attendees will learn how successful smart communities can achieve their goals, the role of regulation, explore ideas on how smart communities can structure financing, and how to collaborate to turn plans and technology into action.

Facilitator: Hon. Nick Wagner, NARUC President, Iowa

Participants:

• Dan Ford, Managing Director – North American Power and Utilities Equity Research
• Susan N. Kelly, President & CEO, American Public Power Association
• Anne Pramaggiore, Senior Executive Vice President and CEO of Exelon Utilities, Exelon Corporation
• Philip Mezey, President and Chief Executive Officer, ITRON

9:00-10:15 a.m.

Winter Welcome by Hon. Jason Stanek, Maryland

A Session with Stuart Rothenberg -

Senior Editor, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales

Former Editor and Publisher, Rothenberg Political Report

Political Analyst/Contributor, Roll Call

*****************************and ****************************

Resilience and Investment in the Grid: Bruce J. Walker, Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy

10:45-11:45 a.m.

Environmental, Social, Governance and Sustainability Reporting (joint with the Committee on Gas & the Subcommittee on Supplier and Workforce Diversity)

This is a timely cutting-edge topic. Environmental, social, governance, and sustainability (ESG/sustainability) factors are becoming important attributes to consider in investments. ESG/sustainability assessment and reporting are now of growing interest in the energy market investment community.  This panel will look at the joint partnership between Edison Electric Institute and American Gas Association on a voluntary initiative and how it may affect the regulatory framework and long-term investment strategies.

Moderators: Hon. Dwight D. Keen, Kansas

                      Hon. Maida Coleman, Missouri

Panelists:

Marisa Buchanan, Executive Director, Sustainable Finance, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Kimberly Harris, CEO, Puget Sound Energy

Jerry Norcia, President and Chief Operating Officer, DTE Energy

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

Subcommittee on Clean Coal and Carbon Management 

The Future of Carbon-Free Fossil Energy

Deputy Assistant Secretary Lou Hrkman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy - Clean Coal & Carbon Management

State Commissions and ACE

This panel will discuss issues that State Commissions should be aware of regarding the implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule. Panelists will touch on the authority of State Commissions and what types of decisions they will need to make under the new rule. 

Moderator: Hon. Jeremy Oden, Alabama

Panelists: 

Paul Bailey, Chief Policy Officer, America's Power

Bill Wehrum, Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Not Done Yet: Regulatory Considerations for a Retiring Baseload Facility

(Joint Session with the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment)

Across the country, changes in resource pricing and policies have resulted in the construction of significant new renewable and gas generation and the retirement of many fossil fuel and nuclear units.  Although the reasons behind the decision to retire a base load unit run the gamut, and Commissions have evaluated  these retirements in different types of proceedings and contexts, many of the questions the Commissions must answer after the retirement decision has been made are the same.  In this panel, Commissioners from States that have experienced recent base load generation retirements will share insights from their experience to help guide similar evaluations in the future.  Since every State has its own energy policies and unique considerations, a single retirement strategy for all States does not exist, but panelists will identify and create a list of factors and issues that are important for States to consider, including facility cost recovery, reliability, public perception, and local considerations associated with generation retirements.

Co-Moderators:

Hon. Talina Mathews, Kentucky

Panelists: 

Hon. Edward Finley, Jr., North Carolina

Hon. Megan Decker, Oregon

Hon. Judith Jagdmann, Virginia

Hon. Sadzi Oliva, Illinois

A Conversation with the Newest FERC Commissioner 

Hon. Bernard McNamee, FERC

Hon. Judith Jagdmann, Virginia 

Business Meeting with remarks by:

James Robb, CEO, NERC, Remarks about NERC/Electric Industry

Mike Howard, President and CEO, EPRI – Update on EPRI’s EMP research program

Greg White, Executive Director, NARUC –NARUC’s Research  

Mark James, Assistant Professor of Vermont Law School - Survey on utility commission decisions to authorize recovery of costs for protective measures for cybersecurity and other threats

Steve Hauser, CEO, GridWise Alliance –Grid Modernization Index (GMI)

Electric Vehicles: Getting a Move On!

(Joint Session with the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment)

Increasingly, state policy makers are embracing vehicle electrification in order to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions.  Electric utilities are working to manage the timing of electric vehicle (EV) charging on their grids while welcoming the increased electricity sales that result from EV adoption. This panel will showcase some recent state EV policy efforts while considering the customer impacts of transitioning more and more vehicles to electricity. 

Moderator:

Hon. Willie Phillips, District of Columbia

Panelists:   

Elin Katz, President, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates                     

Hon. Anthony O’Donnell, Maryland   

Todd Rath, Market Services Director, Alabama Power Company

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

Ballroom South

Coffee and Discussion with FERC Commissioner Glick

Moderator:

Hon. Jeff Ackermann, Colorado

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Ballroom North

Not Done Yet: Regulatory Considerations for a Retiring Baseload Facility

(Joint Session with the Committee on Electricity)

Across the country, changes in resource pricing and policies have resulted in the construction of significant new renewable and gas generation and the retirement of many fossil fuel and nuclear units.  Although the reasons behind the decision to retire a base load unit run the gamut, and Commissions have evaluated  these retirements in different types of proceedings and contexts, many of the questions the Commissions must answer after the retirement decision has been made are the same.  In this panel, Commissioners from States that have experienced recent base load generation retirements will share insights from their experience to help guide similar evaluations in the future.  Since every State has its own energy policies and unique considerations, a single retirement strategy for all States does not exist, but panelists will identify and create a list of factors and issues that are important for States to consider, including facility cost recovery, reliability, public perception, and local considerations associated with generation retirements.

Co-Moderators:

Hon. Talina Mathews, Kentucky

Panelists:

Hon. Megan Decker, Oregon

Hon. Ed Finley, North Carolina

Hon. Judith Jagdmann, Virginia

Hon. Sadzi M. Oliva, Illinois

2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Ballroom South

Miles to Go with AMI – Are We Getting the Innovation and Services That Were Promised?  If Not, Why?

Regulators are approving billions of dollars for AMI deployments, in part to stimulate innovation, animate markets, and offer customers convenience, comfort, safety, and savings.  Utilities serving 90 million accounts will reportedly have AMI metering by 2021.  Utilities serving 32 million customers have committed to provide Green Button Connect My Data or similar access for third parties to use to provide such innovative services. This panel will look at whether the AMI data programs are keeping up with the evolving market and producing the benefits that customers and regulators were promised by addressing:

• What kinds of digital engagement tools do consumers want from their utilities?  What online marketplaces and energy usage data tools are currently available, and what are the future trends industry experts see in this area? What are the challenges faced with wider adoption of digital customer engagement tools?
• Is Data Access Still a Barrier? Why are states moving beyond Green Button to address market barriers through more advanced designs? Why is Green Button portal traffic relatively low?
• Have the expected AMI consumer benefits materialized, and do those benefits outweigh the cost of the meters and infrastructure? How do regulators determine the right investments for a customer-centric grid?

Moderator:

Hon. Ted Thomas, Arkansas

Panelists:

Jeffrey Genzer, Duncan Weinberg Genzer Pembroke, General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials

Robert King, Vice President, Policy, Smart Energy Water

Matthew McCaffree, Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs, Itron

Ram Sastry, Corporate Vice President for Technology and Enterprise Innovation, American Electric Power (AEP)

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Ballroom North

Electric Vehicles: Getting a Move On!

(Joint with Commitee on Electricity)

Increasingly, state policy makers are embracing vehicle electrification in order to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions.  Electric utilities are working to manage the timing of electric vehicle (EV) charging on their grids while welcoming the increased electricity sales that result from EV adoption. This panel will showcase some recent state EV policy efforts while considering the customer impacts of transitioning more and more vehicles to electricity.

Moderator:

Hon. Willie Phillips, District of Columbia

Panelists:

Hon. Anthony O’Donnell, Maryland   

Elin Katz, President, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates                      

Todd Rath, Market Services Director, Alabama Power Company, Alabama Power Companies 

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

Environmental, Social, Governance and Sustainability Reporting (Joint Session with the Committee on Consumers and Public Interest and Subcommittee for Supplier and Workforce Diversity) 

 This is a timely cutting-edge topic. Environmental, social, governance, and sustainability (ESG/sustainability) factors are becoming important attributes to consider in investments. ESG/sustainability assessment and reporting are now of growing interest in the energy market investment community.  This panel will look at the joint partnership between Edison Electric Institute and American Gas Association on a voluntary initiative and how it may affect the regulatory framework and long-term investment strategies.

Moderators: Hon. Dwight D. Keen, Kansas, Hon. Maida Coleman, Missouri

Panelists: 

1. Hon. Willie Phillips, DC
2. Paula Ciprich, Senior VP/General Counsel, National Fuel
3. Jerry Norcia, President and Chief Operating Officer – DTE Energy
4. Marisa Buchanan, Executive Director, Sustainable Finance, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
5. Lisa Schroeer, Senior Director and Sector Lead, S&P Global

Natural Gas in the 21st Century -- Innovations, Technology and Trade. 

Safe, Reliable and Least Cost delivery of utility services is the goal and obligation of every regulator.  In order to achieve this goal we must not only understand how the market functions, what influences the ability of LDCs to deliver services, but we must embrace and support innovation.  The discussion will revolve around developments in the natural gas industry, the options available to the industry to improve communication and collaboration, as well as efforts of regulators and the industry in general to ensure the safe, reliable and least cost delivery of natural gas.  A robust discussion on how the new gas-related technologies can be part of the solution to increasing natural gas end-use efficiency and ensuring the availability of natural gas for the domestic as well as international markets.

Moderators: Hon. Jay Balasbas, Washington &  Hon.  Ethan Kimbrel, Illinois

Panelists:

1. Meade H. Lewis, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, mIQroTech 
2.  Robert Cattell, Advanced Energy Research Center at Stony Brook University
3. Kristine Wiley, R&D Director, Energy Delivery and Utilization, Gas Technology Institute 
4. Andreas Thanos, NARUC Staff Subcommittee Chair for Gas
5. Paul Cicio, President, Industrial Energy Consumers of America 

Natural Gas Infrastructure Modernization Partnership: Site Visit (closed to commissioners and staff -- limited participation)

Under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy/NARUC Natural Gas Infrastructure Modernization Partnership, chaired by Commissioner Diane X. Burman, several commissioners and staff will be touring Dominion Energy’s Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility on the Chesapeake Bay in southern Maryland in February 2019. Cove Point is only the second American LNG export terminal to begin operations, which occurred in March 2018. This tour is an ideal opportunity for those NARUC member tour attendees to observe a critical component of the U.S. transition from energy importer to energy exporter. 

Due to security requirements, pre-registration is mandatory.  To preregister and receive additional information, please contact Kiera Zitelman at NARUC.

Committee on Gas Working Group Planning Session. 
Closed Meeting limited to commissioners and staff.

Closed Session for the various Committee on Gas Working Groups to continue the Committee's educational efforts. 

Facilitators: Relevant Committee on Gas Working Group Chairs

10:45 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.

Business Meeting

FCC AND CONGRESSIONAL UPDATES FROM A JOURNALIST’S PERSPECTIVE

Moderator:  Jonathan Make, Executive Director, Warren Communications News

Panelists:

Adam Bender, Associated Editor, Communications Daily

Carrie DeLeon, Senior Editor, Telecommunications Reports Daily

Kelcee Griffis, Senior Telecom Reporter, Law 360

Jon Reid Reporter – Tech & Telecom, Bloomberg Law, BNA

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Broadband is the key to our nation’s economic future.  It is the difference maker for businesses all across the U.S., but finding effective and efficient means of deploying broadband throughout rural parts of America has proven to be a challenge.  The costs and complexities encountered in serving these communities has given rise to new and creative solutions to help bridge the broadband gap.  In some communities rural cooperative telecommunications and utility providers, along with public-power and municipal entities, started deploying their own fiber optic networks and high-capacity broadband services to their customers and beyond.  And in 2018, at the behest of the Mississippi Public Service Commission, an investor-owned utility partnered with a broadband provider to deploy fiber-optic assets in portions of rural Mississippi- an essential step toward enabling high-capacity broadband services in these communities.  This panel will explore the kinds of out of the box partnerships and policies that are helping to bridge the digital divide.  What programs and policies are working or showing signs of success, and what other new ways of thinking may be needed to ensure all Americans have access to reliable, quality broadband.

Moderator:  Hon. Brandon Presley, Mississippi

Panelists:

Mike Keyser,CEO, BARC Electric Cooperative

Elin Swanson Katz, Consumer Counsel, Office of Consumer Counsel

Mike Romano, Senior VP Policy, NTCA, The Rural Broadband Association 

Brett Kilbourne, General Counsel & VP Policy, Utilities Technology Council

Update From USAC

As the FCC's USF Administrator, USAC plays a critical role in the successful implementation of several USF programs.  USAC will address key milestones and activities for both the Lifeline and High Cost programs. Updates on the National Eligibility Verifier State and federal agency roll out and a discussion of the Lifeline program’s 2019 strategy for getting the remaining states in the National Verifier by the end of the year will be provided as well as ongoing engagements with stakeholders to increase program integrity and successful enrollment among rural and urban eligible consumers. USAC will also provide an update on the development and deployment of the Connect America Fund (CAF) map and how it can be used to illustrate the impact of Universal Service support to facilitate broadband expansion in rural America. This new map, which went live in late 2018, displays the locations where carriers that receive CAF funding have built out mass-market, high-speed Internet service.

Moderator:  Jessica Zufolo, USAC

Presenters:

Michelle Garber, Vice President - Lifeline, USAC

Edward Bliss, Director of Strategic Project Management, Enterprise Portfolion Management Office, USAC

Joelle Tessler, Senior Manager of Stakeholder Engagement & User Support - High Cost Program, USAC

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Fair Market Acquisitions Debate

When municipally-owed water utilities face increasingly stringent water standards, depreciated systems requiring significant capital investment, and financial distress, they have the choice of raising rates or selling.  Original cost is often insufficient to fairly compensate the municipality for the value of its system.  Fully depreciated assets and contributions may be far less than the fair market value which makes the sale by the municipality unattractive to an investor owned utility; a higher price is needed to close the deal.  What is the value of the system and how is it determined? What if the system is suddenly abandoned?  

Moderator:    Hon. Norman Kennard, Pennsylvania

Panelists:     

Michael E. Cherepko, Mayor, City of McKeesport, Pennsylvania

Christine Hoover, Consumer advocate

Kimberly Joyce, Vice President, Regulatory, Government & External Affairs- Aqua America

Kathryn Kline, Senior Research Associate, NRRI

Harold Walker, III, Manager - Financial Studies, Gannett Fleming Valuation and Rate Consultants, LLC

Water Efficiency & Conservation

Moderator:   Hon. John W. Betkoski, III, Connecticut             

Panelists:     

Mary Ann Dickinson, President and CEO, Alliance for Water Efficiency           

Jack Hawks, Executive Director, California Water Association

Robert Kuta, VP Engineering, Cal Water Service

Maureen Westbrook, VP, Customer and Regulatory Affairs, Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Secondary Water Standards

National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWRs) are non-enforceable guidelines regulating contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor or color) in drinking water.  Several states at the 2018 NARUC annual meeting were considering updates to how their Commissions oversee Secondary Water Standards.  What are Commissions facing and next possible steps?

Moderator:       Hon. Donald Polmann, Florida

Panelists:         Charles Junis, NC Public Utility Commission

 Lauren Weinrich, American Water

                          Beate Wright, Water Research Foundation Executive Director

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Environmental, Social, Governance and Sustainability Reporting (Joint Session with the Committee on Consumers and Public Interest and Subcommittee for Supplier and Workforce Diversity) 

 This is a timely cutting-edge topic. Environmental, social, governance, and sustainability (ESG/sustainability) factors are becoming important attributes to consider in investments. ESG/sustainability assessment and reporting are now of growing interest in the energy market investment community.  This panel will look at the joint partnership between Edison Electric Institute and American Gas Association on a voluntary initiative and how it may affect the regulatory framework and long-term investment strategies.

Moderators: Hon. Dwight D. Keen, Kansas, Hon. Maida Coleman, Missouri

Panelists: 

1. Hon. Willie Phillips, DC
2. Paula Ciprich, Senior VP/General Counsel, National Fuel
3. Jerry Norcia, President and Chief Operating Officer – DTE Energy
4. Marisa Buchanan, Executive Director, Sustainable Finance, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
5. Lisa Schroeer, Senior Director and Sector Lead, S&P Global

9:00 a.m.

The Hon. Lisa Murkowski, Senator, Alaska

9:30 a.m.

Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies:

Sectors Intertwined Part 2

Spurred by rapid digitalization and the extensive adoption of new technologies, our nation’s critical infrastructures are becoming increasingly interdependent. Electric utilities depend on water, gas, and telecommunications, and vice versa. A threat to one is a threat to all. Yet consumers’ expectations for uninterrupted service remains high. This session continues the dialogue we had last November in Orlando. Experts will dig deeper into the risks that interdependencies pose to resilient operations. They will also examine efforts underway to identify and implement collaborative solutions across critical infrastructure sectors. The role of regulation in utilities’ pursuit of innovative, cost-effective risk mitigation strategies will be highlighted.

Facilitator: Hon. Gladys Brown, Pennsylvania

Participants:

• Colleen M. Arnold, Vice President/Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Aqua America, Inc.
• Scott Carter, President, Spire Energy
• Kathryn Condello, Senior Director, National Security / Emergency Preparedness, CenturyLink
• Joy Ditto,  President & CEO, Utilities Technology Council
• Suzanne Lemieux, Manager, Midstream and Industry Operations, American Petroleum Institute
• Paul Stockton, Managing Director, Sonecon, LLC

10:45 a.m.

Remarks by FERC Chair, The Hon. Neil Chatterjee 

11:15 a.m.

Remarks by DOE Under Secretary of Energy, The Hon. Mark Menezes