PDF VersionImportant Notice:  NASEO follows the strictest of local, state, and federal guidance related to COVID-19 and has added a "Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination" as a requirement to attend this in-person meeting.  Additionally, masks are required for all NASEO Annual Meeting attendees. (Please note, the NASEO 2021 Annual Meeting will be in-person only).

The following is the agenda for the 2021 NASEO Annual Meeting:

Tuesday 12 October 2021
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Longfellow Room, Lower Level
Presenters

Accessing and Planning for Federal Infrastructure Funding (State and Territory Energy Offices Only)

This members-only session will include an overview and strategic brainstorming session to support State and Territory Energy Offices in preparing for potential new funding through the Infrastructure bill and appropriations process. Special attention will be paid to provisions of high importance to state clean energy and climate policy, including the U.S. State Energy Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, and ways states can “hit the ground running” on high-priority clean energy actions and energy security actions in the electric, buildings, manufacturing, transportation, and carbon management arenas.

Presenters
  • Jeffrey Genzer, General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials
  • David Terry, Executive Director, National Association of State Energy Officials
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM Winslow Homer Ballroom, Lobby Level

NASEO Board of Directors Meeting and Annual Business Meeting (State and Territory Energy Office and Affiliate Members Only)

NASEO's Board of Directors and Annual Business Meetings are open to NASEO State and Territory Energy Office and Affiliate members only. The meetings cover NASEO policy, programmatic, and administrative updates, the election of NASEO’s Executive Officers, and approval of NASEO’s budget.

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Offsite

Networking Dinners (Offsite) (State and Territory Energy Offices and Affiliate Members Only)

NASEO will arrange reservations for small groups of no more than 10 for “Dutch Treat/No Host” networking dinners at local eateries. Space is limited. Sign-up sheets will be available at the registration desk.

Wednesday 13 October 2021
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Presenters

Welcome and Opening Remarks

This opening session sets the stage for our conference.

Presenters
  • David Terry, Executive Director, National Association of State Energy Officials
  • Kelley Smith Burk, Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
8:45 AM - 9:15 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Presenter

Welcome to Maine!

Maine is on the leading edge of clean energy and climate policies and programs that advance energy solutions, fight against climate change, and ensure its residents have reliable and affordable energy. This session will highlight the State of Maine’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and transition to cleaner sources of energy.

Presenter
  • Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Keynote: Maine on the Leading Edge of Clean Energy and Climate Policy

Maine is on the leading edge of clean energy and climate policies and programs that advance energy solutions, fight against climate change, and ensure its residents have reliable and affordable energy. This session will highlight the State of Maine’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and transition to cleaner sources of energy.

Moderator
  • Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
Presenter
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

States Dialogue: Charting the Course on Clean Energy, Resilience, Climate, and Equity

In efforts to achieve deep decarbonization and ambitious economic development goals, states must navigate a complex array of policy, program, partnership, and technology options across major sectors of the economy: transportation, buildings, industry, and beyond. In this panel, hear from states across the country as they rise to the challenge by advancing comprehensive planning, targeted investments, and innovative partnerships.

Moderator
Presenters
  • Jason Lanclos, Director, Technology Assessment Division, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
  • John Williams, Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
  • Dr. Will Toor, Executive Director, Colorado Energy Office
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

U.S. Department of Energy and Administration Energy Infrastructure Priorities (Live-Stream)

Moderator
  • Robert Jackson, Director, Energy Office, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Presenter
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Hawthorne Room, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Breakout 1: Rethinking Transmission Planning: Lessons Learned, New Challenges, and the Path Forward

To achieve state and federal goals for the decarbonization, competitiveness, affordability, and resiliency of the electricity system, states and regions across the country are rethinking transmission planning.  Challenges vary but there is a theme of considering how to best maximize the use of the existing transmission system while also planning for a system that is rapidly arriving – more distributed resources, electrification, and resilience. Without new approaches to planning, states and consumers will face higher system costs, lower reliability and inefficient use of resources. This session explores efforts in the West and in New England to rethink the transmission planning processes, with an emphasis on economic and environmental benefits. The session will also offer examples of how collaboration among state energy policy leaders, electric companies, regulators, and transmission planners have helped states reach their clean energy goals and what steps other states can take to achieve a clean energy future. Speakers will also outline how the federal government and states can leverage the funds from the pending federal infrastructure bill.

Moderator
  • John Chatburn, Administrator, Idaho Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources
Presenters
  • Janine Benner, Director, Oregon Department of Energy
  • Dr. Brian Gemmell, Chief Clean Energy Development Officer, National Grid
  • Christina Hayes, Christina Hayes, Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
  • Patrick Woodcock, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Winslow Homer Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Breakout 2: It’s Always Better When We Are Together: Advancing Energy Storage Policy, Regulation, and Technology through State and Federal Partnerships

Deep decarbonization of the U.S. electricity sector is dependent on the deployment of new and emerging technologies, such as large-scale long-duration storage and battery storage for distributed energy resources. Energy storage can improve energy reliability and resilience. Innovative storage technology development and deployment are strengthened though state and federal policy and regulations. To bring new storage technologies from the laboratory and pilot stage to wide-scale deployment, however, state and federal partnerships are critical. This panel will examine successful partnership models and how states and federal agencies can leverage these partnerships to deploy storage technologies on the grid while also accounting for economic and energy justice considerations.

Moderator
  • Dan Lloyd, Bureau Chief, Energy Office, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Presenters
  • Scott Glenn, Chief Energy Officer, Hawaii State Energy Office
  • Dr. Lola Infante, Executive Director, Government and External Affairs, Electric Power Research Institute
  • Jason Burwen, Interim Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Energy Storage Association
  • Richard Sedano, President and Chief Executive Officer, Regulatory Assistance Project
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderators
Presenters

Breakout 3: Calculating, Assessing, and Addressing Cyber Risks to State Energy Security and Resilience

State resilience and security priorities can be met by acting on timely, accurate, and forward-looking risk assessments. Cyber threats pose a unique challenge to states as they seek to enhance their cybersecurity preparedness efforts and align those efforts with overall energy resilience. The pending bipartisan infrastructure bill presents opportunities for convergence between the need and ability for states to assure energy resilience in the face of growing cyber threats. This session will explore approaches for State Energy Offices to identify and mitigate cyber risks through partnerships with industry and government counterparts.

Moderators
  • Megan Levy, Resilience Strategist and Energy Assurance Coordinator, Office of Energy Innovation, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
  • Ben Bolton, Senior Energy Programs Administrator, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Presenters
  • Kate Marks, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy (Live-Stream)
  • Gizelle Wray, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Counsel, Solar Energy Industries Association
  • Peter Grandgeorge, National Security and Resiliency Advisor, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Presentations
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Keynote Luncheon: People Power: Massively Scaling Clean Energy

Moderator
Presenter
1:15 PM - 2:45 PM

NASEO Concurrent Regional Meetings

Each of NASEO’s six regions will convene for discussions on advancing practical next steps on electric grid and buildings investments resulting from the multi-billion-dollar federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as emerging state policies and programs. Each region will review relevant portions of the infrastructure funding package and identify technical assistance needs, share approaches to planning, and consider opportunities for collaboration.

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Decarbonizing the Grid by 2035: The Key Role of Renewable Energy (Live-Stream)

President Biden’s pledge to create a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 will require a significant increase of renewable energy. This session will discuss the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) efforts to advance the technological development and deployment for solar, wind, water, and geothermal resources. DOE’s priorities to further reduce the cost of renewables, support advanced energy storage, and work with stakeholders to reduce barriers to rapid renewable deployment and integration are essential in further decarbonizing the grid and will require close coordination with states and support of state agencies.

Moderator
  • Jeffrey Genzer, General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials
Presenter
  • Alejandro Moreno, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

A Modern Grid: State Efforts and Cutting-Edge Technologies

A modern electricity grid is the cornerstone of integrating clean energy resources, enhancing the distribution system, and making the electricity system more resilient and efficient. Grid modernization efforts are underway in many states and many technologies are available to update the electricity grid. This panel will examine current state efforts and outline the benefits of grid modernization. It will detail technologies that could enhance the electricity grid and discuss digitalization and challenges to technology deployment.

Moderator
  • Erin Taylor, Program Planning Bureau Chief, Energy Conservation and Management Division, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
Presenters
  • Stephen Callahan, Executive Vice President, Grid Modernization and Chief Marketing Officer, GridBright
  • Alexandra Fisher, Policy Analyst, Energy Administration, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
  • Joshua Broder, Chief Executive Officer, Tilson Technologies
Presentations
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Federal and State Cooperation for a Reliable and Clean Electricity Grid (Live-Stream)

The pending Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide significant financial support for transmission and distribution planning and deployment of grid-enhancing technologies. This session will provide insights into how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and states can work together to implement some of the programs envisioned by the bill. It will also outline DOE’s Office of Electricity’s priorities under the Biden Administration to increase deployment of grid-enhancing technologies, such as sensors.

Moderator
Presenter
  • Patricia Hoffman, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Beneficial Electrification: The Silver(ish) Bullet for Decarbonizing the Building Sector

Onsite fuel use in buildings accounts for almost 12.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Beneficial electrification of heating and cooling—coupled with a cleaner electric grid—is critical for reducing building sector emissions. States are leading the way with heat pump, building retrofit, and other programs. New refrigerants with low global warming potential must also be accelerated into the marketplace. This panel of federal, state, and industry representatives examines electrification successes, challenges, and complexities while also pointing to further needs.

Moderator
Presenters
  • David Nemtzow, Director, Building Technologies Office, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy (Live-Stream)
  • Michael Stoddard, Executive Director, Efficiency Maine Trust
  • Michael Brown, Senior Managing Consultant, Building Technologies, ICF
  • Chris White, Senior Manager, Frontier Energy
Thursday 14 October 2021
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Going Global: International Clean Energy and Climate Collaboration

The 2021 report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends aggressive climate policy action to prevent the most extreme impacts of climate change. States, the Federal Government, and the private sector are launching ambitious policy and program actions to drastically curb emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is deeply engaged with other nations on energy-focused climate actions and is collaborating with U.S. states as a part of their work.  States are exploring ways they may work with other subnational governments across the globe, such as with our northern neighboring provinces in Canada. During this session, DOE’s Office of International Affairs will share insights on international clean energy actions and climate action collaboration.

Moderator
  • Scott Glenn, Chief Energy Officer, Hawaii State Energy Office
Presenters
  • Julie Cerqueira, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy (Live-Stream)
  • Dr. Robert Dixon, Senior Advisor, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Keynote: Leading on Equity and Energy Justice: DOE Actions and Federal-State Partnerships (Live-Stream)

President Biden has mobilized agencies across federal government to tackle the interrelated and urgent challenges of climate change, economic growth, and racial equity. In this session, join thought leader and author Shalanda Baker in learning about how the Department of Energy is reinventing its strategies, partnerships, and investments to deliver the promise, potential, and benefits of clean energy for all.

Moderator
  • Michael Furze, Assistant Director, Energy Division, Washington State Department of Commerce
Presenter
  • Shalanda H. Baker, Secretarial Advisor on Equity; Deputy Director for Energy Justice, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Energy, Air, and Environmental Justice

Air pollution is an issue that disproportionately affects low-income households, indigenous people, people of color, and remote communities. This session will explore the ways State Energy Offices can address this issue. Speakers will provide resources for assessing air and environmental justice and opportunities to collaborate with local governments, community advocates, and other state agencies to create programs and policies at the intersection of energy and the environment.

Moderator
  • Thom Carter, Energy Advisor and Executive Director, Utah Office of Energy Development
Presenters
  • Nancy Seidman, Senior Advisor, Regulatory Assistance Project
  • Maggie Molina, Branch Chief, State and Local Climate and Energy Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Live-Stream)
  • Denise Abdul-Rahman, Regional Field Organizer for the Midwest and Plain States, Climate Justice Program, NAACP (Live-Stream)
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Back to School: Partnerships for Efficiency, Resilience, and Health

Strengthened relationships among State Energy Offices and local school officials create large opportunities to reduce carbon and air pollutant emissions from school facilities and buses while improving indoor air quality and learning environments. Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan and the proposed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and FY2022 federal budget may provide large amounts of additional resource for improving the quality, energy efficiency, and health of schools across the United States, especially if leveraged with private funding through energy performance contracting and other mechanisms. This session will provide insights on how partnerships with local educational officials can enable State Energy Offices to inform and shape decisions about school infrastructure investments.

Moderator
  • Nam Nguyen, Associate Director, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Virginia Department of Energy
Presenters
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Hawthorne Room, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Breakout 1: Workforce Development Programs that Work

How can State Energy Offices design workforce development programs to meet the needs of their state? With the need to fill existing jobs, prepare the workforce for the energy future, and bring the benefits of energy jobs to all, State Energy Offices can face many competing priorities in efforts to develop the local workforce. This session will highlight programs from State Energy Offices, a community college, and the private sector that have successfully met workforce development needs through STEM education, up-skilling, and re-skilling workers.

Moderator
  • Dr. Sumesh Arora, Director, Energy and Natural Resources Division, Mississippi Development Authority
Presenters
  • Karen Lasure, Energy Development Specialist, Office of Energy, West Virginia Department of Economic Development
  • Glenn Schatz, Chief Revenue Officer, BlocPower
  • Dr. Charles Lloyd, President, White Mountains Community College
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Winslow Homer Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Breakout 2: New Trends in Clean Energy Financing for Resilience: Investing in Intersectionality

As state and local governments continue to plan for and decarbonize their grids, they are finding that distributed energy resources and energy efficiency are providing benefits to the resiliency of their communities in addition to helping them meet their clean energy and/or decarbonization goals. Given the costs of these upgrades, state and local governments are turning towards innovative financing strategies to help them pay for improvements that boost both community resiliency and clean energy deployment. This session will discuss some of these newer financing models and provide examples of best practices to consider when identifying potential financing options in this area.

Moderator
  • Michael Turner, Director of Building Innovation and Energy Finance, Colorado Energy Office
Presenters
  • Dr. Taresa Lawrence, Deputy Director, Energy Administration, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
  • Jeff Morris, Senior Director, State Government Relations, Schneider Electric
  • Dr. Timothy Unruh, Executive Director, National Association of Energy Service Companies
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Longfellow Room, Lower Level
Moderator
Presenters

Breakout 3: Beyond Savings: The Non-Energy Benefits of Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency traditionally has been the lowest cost resource. The cost-effectiveness test has generally been purely economic – is the cost lower than other resources? With the drop in prices of renewables, energy efficiency will need to compete on cost. That puts energy efficiency at a crossroads; it is not only having to compete on cost, but it is being asked to help meet new challenges and achieve a myriad of goals from stimulating economic growth and jobs, to enhancing reliability and resilience, and taking action on climate. It is time that we quantify all the other benefits of energy efficiency not traditionally taken into consideration in resource planning. By doing this we will get a complete picture of energy efficiency’s true value and benefit, which should increase the amount of energy efficiency acquired.

Moderator
  • Chris Yunker, Managing Director, Resiliency, Clean Transportation, and Analytics, Hawaii State Energy Office
Presenters
  • Alan Zelenka, Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation, Oregon Department of Energy
  • David Althoff Jr., Director, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Jennifer Kallay, Senior Associate, Synapse Energy Economics
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Presenter

Networking Lunch and Washington Update

This discussion with NASEO's General Counsel will provide the latest news on Congressional and federal agency priorities, passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and the pending appropriations and reconciliation bills.

Presenter
  • Jeffrey Genzer, General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Path to Zero: Can Propane Have a Role in State Decarbonization Plans? (Live Podcast)

Path to Zero is a podcast focused on clean energy and the journey toward a low-carbon future. Zero emissions is a goal we can all get behind, but how do we meet the growing energy demands of the world AND reduce carbon in the atmosphere? Propane is an important tool for states to meet their clean energy goals in the transportation, industrial, buildings, and agricultural sectors, as well as playing a key role for resiliency and energy equity challenges. How can State Energy Officials use propane to meet their goals and does it have a role for states with plans that don’t include propane now? This live podcast taping session will answer these questions and give State Energy Officials the chance to participate in the Path to Zero.

Moderator
  • Alan Zelenka, Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation, Oregon Department of Energy
Presenter
  • Tucker Perkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Propane Education and Research Council
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Islands on the Front Line: Transition Lessons and Opportunities from Remote and Rural Communities

Rural, remote, and island communities are on the frontlines of climate change. Innovative partnerships, community-driven planning, and informed clean energy investments have now become more crucial than ever in their efforts to navigate the transition and support energy and economic resilience for local populations. In this session, panelists will share experiences, expertise, and planning strategies that communities across the United States can learn from, drawing from emerging place-based approaches, such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project and related initiatives in comprehensive, community-level planning and technical assistance.

Moderator
Presenters
  • Mark Glick, Specialist, Energy Policy and Innovation, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
  • Suzanne MacDonald, Chief Community Development Officer, Island Institute
  • John Ferland, President, ORPC, Inc.
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom Pre-Function, Lobby Level

Networking Break

2:45 PM - 3:30 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Multi-Year Planning and Implementation for Jobs and Climate Action: A Spotlight on Innovative State, Federal, and Local Partnerships through SEP and EECBG

The U.S. State Energy Program (SEP) has long been a bedrock for State Energy Office innovation and action, enabling comprehensive and sector-specific planning, strategic partnership building, and meaningful community and industry engagement. Similarly, during the Recovery Act era, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program opened up new state-local governments partnerships for even deeper impact. In this session, learn from experts about innovative models for community planning and partnership-building that can help inform and expand SEP and EECBG directions into the future.

Moderator
  • Eddy Trevino, Director, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Presenters
  • Robert Jackson, Director, Energy Office, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
  • Pat Stanton, Director of Policy, E4TheFuture
  • Paul Vrabel, Vice President, ICF
Presentations
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Energy Efficiency Solutions for Economic Growth and Decarbonization (Live-Stream)

Energy efficiency is at the core of state, local, federal and private-sector efforts to catalyze economic growth, support energy innovation, and address climate, resilience, and equity goals. This program and policy update session will discuss the U.S. Department of Energy’s efforts to advance the technological development and deployment for energy efficiency in every sector of the economy from beneficial electrification to building product decarbonization.

Moderator
  • Jason Lanclos, Director, Technology Assessment Division, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Presenter
  • Dr. Carolyn Snyder, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Bringing Infrastructure Home: How States Can Leverage Infrastructure Funding for Residential Retrofits and More

Federal funding may soon be available to supplement utility ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in the states as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. States will have the opportunity to develop targeted energy efficiency programs to accelerate energy retrofits in residential, commercial, and public buildings. This presents an opportunity for states to accelerate progress towards decarbonization and workforce development. State Energy Offices may be faced with decisions about program design as federal funds are allocated to the states. This panel session will surface questions about coordinating between existing energy efficiency programs and the potential for new programs which may be administered by State Energy Offices. This session will explore opportunities created by the infrastructure bill and provide an opportunity for discussion of program design questions.

Moderator
  • Joe Pater, Director, Office of Energy Innovation, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Presenters
  • Lloyd Kass, Vice President of Market Development and Regulatory Strategy, Franklin Energy
  • Stacey Paradis, Executive Director, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Hawthorne Room, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Breakout 1: Inclusive Solar and Efficiency Solutions: Navigating Low-Income Programs to Develop Synergistic Solutions

Together, community solar and energy efficiency are a powerful combination to increase energy affordability and access to clean energy generation. Yet, in many states, community solar program participation has been low, particularly for the low-income, high-energy-burden households that stand to benefit most. This panel will examine how State Energy Offices can structure low-income energy programs such as LIHEAP and weatherization in order to help underserved households access and benefit from community solar installations in their states.

Moderator
  • Michelle Gransee, State Energy Office Director, Energy Division, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Presenters
  • Ryan Harry, Weatherization Assistance Program Director, Colorado Energy Office
  • Lenwood Coleman, Chief Program Officer, Groundswell
  • Elizabeth Glynn, Managing Director, Community Solar Partnerships, BlueWave Solar
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Winslow Homer Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Breakout 2: The “New” ABCs: Dramatic Advances in Building Construction Mean Lower Costs, Greater Efficiency, and New Career Pathways

Advanced Building Construction (ABC) is a new way of approaching construction that will likely lead to a new industry and new career pathways. ABC is an initiative from the U.S. Department of Energy that integrates energy efficiency solutions into modern construction practices for new buildings and retrofits. While other industries such as manufacturing and communications have transformed through digitization and process improvements, productivity in the U.S. construction industry has consistently declined since 1968. The ABC Initiative is developing building technologies that can be deployed rapidly with minimal onsite construction, are affordable and appealing to the market, and leverage efforts to increase the productivity of the construction industry. This is an opportunity to transform the market for energy efficiency and create new industry segments and career pathways in your state.

Moderator
  • Robin Yochum, Energy Program Manager, Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy
Presenters
  • Galen Nelson, Chief Program Officer, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
  • John Williams, Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
  • Arah Schuur, Executive Director, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Longfellow Room, Lower Level
Moderator
Presenters

Breakout 3: Decarbonizing Thermal Energy: Projects and Policies

Thermal energy is fundamental to industrial, agricultural, commercial, and building operations. There is growing urgency to decarbonize heating operations to meet urgent climate challenges. Industries are increasingly seeking and investing in low- and non-carbon heating approaches, including new technologies and renewable fuels to affordably reduce emissions, decarbonize, and increase energy resilience. Hear from industry partners as they work to advance and scale up renewable heating and cooling to dramatically cut carbon emissions.

Moderator
  • Brian Selinger, Team Leader, Energy Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Presenters
  • Jacob Peterson, Senior Manager of State Engagement, National Propane Gas Association
  • Emily O’Connell, Director, Energy Markets Policy, American Gas Association
  • Dr. Thomas Butcher, Chief Scientist, National Oilheat Research Alliance Research Laboratory
Friday 15 October 2021
8:15 AM - 8:45 AM Offsite
Moderator
Presenters

Chasing Decarbonization in Maine’s Seafood Sector

Maine lobster is a $423 million heritage industry that faces significant challenges due to climate change and economic disruption. Luke’s Lobster, a Maine-based, nationally known B-Corporation, is partnering with the Island Institute to identify strategies to reduce fossil fuel consumption and lower operating costs in an energy and carbon intensive industry. The session will include an update on a full supply chain greenhouse gas analysis for Luke’s Lobster, an overview of a Phase Change Material pilot program sponsored by Efficiency Maine, and efforts to replicate Luke’s approach with other Maine seafood business.

Moderator
  • Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
Presenters
  • Ben Conniff, Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Luke’s Lobster
  • Jack Riordan, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Efficiency Maine
  • Sam Belknap, Senior Community Development Officer, Island Institute
  • Erin Kempster, Regional Manager, Energy Solutions
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Keynote: U.S. Senate Outlook on Clean Energy, Climate, and the Economy (Live-Stream)

Moderator
  • Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
Presenter
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

The Answer, My Friend, is Floating in the Wind: The Future of Offshore Wind Power

Technological advances are revolutionizing and accelerating offshore wind power development around the world. Larger, further offshore, and deeper water installations are made possible by new materials, designs, and construction techniques. Improved sensors and controls optimize blade adjustment and turbine performance while the pairing of wind generation with hydrogen and battery storage enhance value and grid operations. These advances, such as floating wind turbine technologies being considered for the Gulf of Maine and the U.S. West Coast, offer tremendous potential to greatly expand clean power generation while propelling economic opportunity and creating new jobs. This session will explore some of the state efforts in developing and supporting these new offshore wind technologies and the interplay between technology development and policy considerations to expand offshore wind in U.S. waters.

Moderator
  • Michael Furze, Assistant Director, Energy Division, Washington State Department of Commerce
Presenters
  • Celina Cunningham, Deputy Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
  • Dr. Habib Dagher, Executive Director, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine
Presentations
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Achieving Climate Goals through Zero-Emission Vehicles Investment (Live-Stream)

The Biden Administration is preparing to support widespread investment in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and infrastructure through direct investments and technical support to state, local, and private-sector partners. During this keynote address, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will share insights on how DOE plans to support ZEV technology research, development, and deployment, and how DOE may work with the states to achieve shared climate and decarbonization goals.

Moderator
  • Kelley Smith Burk, Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Presenter
  • Michael Berube, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Keynote: Administration Climate and Energy Sector Decarbonization Priorities: An Affordable and Equitable Clean Energy Future

Moderator
  • Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
Presenter
  • Gina McCarthy, White House National Climate Advisor, Executive Office of the President
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom Pre-Function, Lobby Level

Networking Break

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Informed Infrastructure Investment: Opportunities for Successful Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Rollout

Pending federal funding opportunities deliver significant investment in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and planning, providing $7.5 billion for stations as well as funds through the U.S. State Energy Program and other mechanisms for planning and technical assistance. During this session, experts from the private sector will provide analysis on what this level of investment will mean for the EV industry, and how the private sector may work with state partners to ensure an efficient and equitable buildout of a national EV charging network.

Moderator
  • Molly Cripps, Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Presenters
  • Karen Glitman, Director, Transportation and Infrastructure Markets, Center for Sustainable Energy
  • Anne Smart, Vice President, ChargePoint
  • Corey Ershow, Senior Manager, Public Policy and Senior Counsel, Rivian
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenter

Fireside Chat with Wilmington Trust: Alternative Fuel Investments

Since 2017 Wilmington Trust has managed the Volkswagen Settlement’s Environmental Mitigation Trust and has worked with states across the country to support investments in alternative fuel and zero emission vehicles and infrastructure in the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors. During this Fireside Chat, Wilmington Trust will share insights from their work with states through the settlement and will explore options for financing alternative fuel investments in the years ahead.

Moderator
  • Molly Cripps, Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Presenter
  • Beth Andrews, Vice President, Global Capital Markets, Wilmington Trust
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Moderator
Presenters

Zero-Emission Vehicles Technologies: What’s Here and What’s Next

OpOptions for zero emission and electric mobility for transit, aviation and freight are evolving rapidly, as are associated infrastructure planning and investment needs. Concurrently, the federal government is poised to offer significant investment in zero-emission technology planning and deployment. During this session, speakers will share information on what off-road, freight, and transit technology is currently available and what’s coming, as well as state-local-private partnership models.

Moderator
  • Chris Rice, Chief of Staff, Maryland Energy Administration
Presenters
Presentations
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM Eastland Grand Ballroom, Lobby Level
Presenters

Awards, Prizes, and Wrap-Up

Presenters
  • David Terry, Executive Director, National Association of State Energy Officials
  • Kelley Smith Burk, Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office