1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB)—Who Are We? What We DoA presentation (re)introducing NAESB to the Subcommittee: What NAESB does and how it works. Moderator: Presenter: |
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
Know All There is About Conversion from Coal to Natural Gas?New regulations regarding gas pipeline, compressor station and natural gas storage safety or maintenance could cause unscheduled natural gas infrastructure downtimes ranging between a day, a week, or even a month. These interruptions may have an adverse effect on the ability of gas-fired power generators to come online when needed. Theresa Pugh will discuss the impact of these regulations on distribution companies, power generators and regulatory officials. Moderator: Presenter: |
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
Natural Gas Fracking and Water Quality – Fact vs. Fiction(Joint session with ERE and Water Staff Subcommittees) In recent years, the use, storage, and disposal of produced water, the byproduct of natural gas fracturing, has been presenting challenges to communities, producers, and government officials. A variety of studies and anecdotal evidence have contributed to some level of confusion in regards to health, safety and environmental impacts. The panelists will address some of the studies and their impact on the public and the industry. Moderators: Panelists: |
3:30 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. |
GTI UpdatesAn update on the GTI activities Moderator: Presenter: |
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
The Unknown Fugitive—Why We Care About Unexpected Methane Emissions and the Efforts to Capture Them(Joint session with ERE Staff Subcommittee) The debate over top-down or bottom-up methane emissions measuring has slowly been eclipsed by the question of how to quantify methane emissions from unexpected leaks, malfunctions and other unpredictable problems associated with the production, delivery, and consumption of natural gas. This panel will look at the level at which methane emissions have been over-/underestimated, the research that is being done to obtain more accurate leak identification and emission measurement, and what exactly the utility industry and regulators are doing to curb these emissions. Moderators: Panelists: |
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Strategic Role of Natural Gas in Transatlantic International Relations(Joint session with the Committee on International Relations) Natural gas plays an increasingly important role in the transatlantic trade market. For many policy makers, natural gas offers important strategic, commercial, security, economic and environmental opportunities for Europe and the United States, such as providing electric generation, home heating, and industrial and transportation services. This panel assesses the promises of natural gas in transatlantic trade and international security, and examines policies and potential obstacles to realizing these promises for both the United States and Europe. Moderators: Hon. Diane X. Burman, New York Hon. Anthony O’Donnell, Maryland Panelists: Barry Smitherman, Commissioner Emeritus, Texas David Goldwyn, Goldwyn Global Strategies Pat Outtrim, Tellurian Investments Thomas Cunningham, Deputy Director, Global Energy Center, The Atlantic Council Mark Brownstein, Vice President, Oil and Gas Program, Environmental Defense Fund |
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. |
Gas CEO Panel—Reflections on the Business of Natural GasA dynamic and lively discussion with natural gas company CEOs delving into the important and challenging issues that are facing the natural gas industry and the issues that CEOs are confronted with. Moderators: Panelists: |
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Natural Gas and the Advanced Persistent Threat of Cyber Attacks—The Awakening of Natural Gas Cyber Analysis and Policy(Joint Panel with Critical Infrastructure) Cybersecurity is critical to the infrastructure of the natural gas industry. The energy industry, including natural gas, is ranked as one of the top sectors most likely to be targeted for a cyberattack. This panel of thought leaders and experts will provide an opportunity to candidly discuss challenges, share ongoing initiatives, best practices, and possible solutions. Reasonable and effective cybersecurity policies for the natural gas sector are important to ensure the continued safe and reliable delivery of natural gas. This panel will help us understand the evolution of the cybersecurity framework for the natural gas sector and what the current analysis and policy mindset is to address advanced persistent cyber-attacks. Moderator: Panelists: |
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. |
Federal Tax Plan Landscape Issues—Expert Perspective on Potential Federal Tax Plans(Joint Panel with Washington Action) Federal tax plans are being proposed that will impact the United States’ energy future. Sound energy policies that are focused on natural gas infrastructure and development can be dramatically affected by the tax policies that are put into place. Thus, this will be an opportunity for an expert overview of what may be viable plans this legislative session and how they specifically impact the industry, states, and taxpayers. Moderators: Panelists: |
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Pipeline Safety—Roundtable Discussion on Pipeline SafetyThis interactive roundtable is intended to provide a forum for key stakeholders to update the gas committee on key issues that are pending. We will hear an update on the status of PHMSA’s pending regulations and activities; a discussion of the “mega rule,” and a dialogue of issues affecting state commissions. Moderators: Panelists: |
10:45 a.m. -11:45 a.m. |
Diverse Opportunities in Gas and Pipeline Safety(Joint session with Supplier and Workforce Diversity Committee) The gas industry is currently going through an unprecedented construction phase. Pipeline infrastructure work spans repair and replacement at the distribution level to new interstate pipeline projects. Such large-scale, high-priority tasks require specialized professional and technical services just as the industry is facing the retirement of many highly trained, experienced employees. Additionally, the “strategic procurement” of goods and services will also be required. Ideally, both pursuits provide opportunities for utilities to engage diverse-owned businesses and support the development of a diverse workforce. This panel will highlight the upcoming needs for these projects and discuss emerging opportunities for the development of a diverse workforce and engagement of diverse suppliers. Moderators: Hon. Sherina Maye Edwards, Illinois Panelists: Hon. Judith Williams Jagdmann, Virginia Jerrold Hill, Vice President, Human Resources, Southern Company Gas Jennifer Morrison, Commodities Portfolio Manager, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Tara Smith Anderson, Director, External Mobilization, American Petroleum Institute |
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Business Meeting
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2:45 p.m. -3:45 p.m. |
Natural Gas Opportunities—Roundtable Discussion Phase One Natural Gas-Fueling the Economic EngineRecently, natural gas consumption, which is increasing in many sectors of the market including power generation, industrial, residential and even pipeline and LNG exports has bumped up against flattening supply as balance has been introduced in a market that has been supply long for years. Where does this leave the natural gas industry and its ability to supply growing demand as it enters the winter of 2016/2017? Is there enough pipe in the ground to get the available production to the areas and markets where it is needed the most? We will review relevant natural gas studies and assess the economic benefits of natural gas use while taking into account the production and infrastructure needed for the use of natural gas to take place. (Note: This panel is part of the Natural Gas Power afternoon done in conjunction with the Phase Two Panel held immediately after this) Moderators: Hon. Diane X. Burman, NY and Hon. Julie Fedorchak, North Dakota Panelists: Paul Geiger, Senior, VP Business Development, Southwestern Energy Mark Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations – Eastern Operations, Crestwood LP Scott Wright, MISO Erica Bowman, Chief Economist, API Karen Alderman Harbert, President and CEO, Institute for 21st Century Energy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce |
4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. |
Natural Gas Opportunites: Round Table Discussion Phase Two Gas–Electric Interdependencies—Accommodating an Increased Dependence on Natural GasThe Bulk Power System (BPS) has experienced significant changes in the resource mix with a continuation of growth in natural gas-fired electric generation. With more natural gas-fired generation being added in power markets and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission orders aiding the convergence of the gas and electric power industries, continued coordination among the two industries is vitally important. Generators are reliant on upstream exploration and production, pipeline systems, and storage to fulfill the natural gas requirements for their generation. The Aliso Canyon storage outage in California affected almost 10,000 MW of natural gas fired generation, underscoring the reliance that the BPS has on natural gas infrastructure and the potential ramifications of a single point of disruption. This panel will present several perspectives around critical issues to address with reliance on natural gas, LNG, and the requisite infrastructure for reliable generation. The panel will also discuss fuel assurance issues, mitigating measures and other planning tools that are being employed to address potential single points of disruption. (Note: This panel is part of the Natural Gas Power afternoon, in conjunction with the Phase One Panel held immediately before this panel.) Moderators: Hon. Robert M. Pickett, Alaska Hon. Swain E. Whitfield, South Carolina Panelists: Michael Nowak, National Fuel Gas Peter Brandien, VP System Operations ISO NE John Maura, Director Reliability Assessment, NERC Stephan Folga, PhD, Energy Systems Engineer/ Manager, Argonne National Labs Ryan Colley, Planning Manager, Southern Company Transmission INGAA Representative (invited) |