The Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) hosted the final workshop in a three-part series exploring how to ensure the reliability of our nation's electric system without jeopardizing important progress on public health and environmental protection. Workshop Three focused on local, state, regional, and federal policy options to accommodate the expected power sector transition. Panels explored state regulator and utility planning; options for local, state, and regional coordination; and federal regulatory and legislative options.

In October, the Power Sector Environmental Regulations workshop framed the issues in the debate and provided background on upcoming regulations for the power sector. To view the video and presentations from Workshop One, click here.

The second workshop, Reliability Impacts of Power Sector Developments, delved into analysis of the power sector impacts under various scenarios of EPA regulation stringency and timing, as well as a range of conditions for key variables such as natural gas price, and electricity demand. Video and presentations from Workshop Two are available here.

WORKSHOP THREE: Local, State, Regional, & Federal Solutions

8:30-9:00
Registration and Breakfast

9:00-9:05
Introduction
Jason Grumet, President, Bipartisan Policy Center

9:05-9:25
Keynote Address
Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

9:30-11:00
State Planning for the Suite of Future EPA Regulations
Moderator: Vice Chairman James Gardner, Kentucky Public Service Commission

State regulator planning
Commissioner Rick Morgan, DC Public Service Commission
Chairman Edward Finley, Jr., North Carolina Utilities Commission

Respondents:
Pamela Faggert, Vice President and Chief Environmental Officer, Dominion
John Hanger, former Secretary, PA Department of Environmental Protection
Sonny Popowsky, Consumer Advocate of Pennsylvania

Panel Discussion/Audience Question and Answer

11:00-11:10
Break

11:10-12:40
Local, State, and Regional Coordination and Solutions
Moderator: Paul Miller, Deputy Director, NESCAUM

Non-conventional capacity resources (demand side management, efficiency, storage)
Sue Tierney, Managing Principal, Analysis Group, Inc

Coordination of capacity resources, retrofit scheduling, and transmission security
Paul Sotkiewicz, Ph.D, Chief Economist, Markets, PJM Interconnection
John Lawhorn, Sr. Director, Midwest Independent System Operator

Respondents:
Kathleen Barron, Vice President, Exelon Corporation
Garey Rozier, Resource Planning Manager, Southern Company
Chris James, Senior Associate, Regulatory Assistance Project

Panel Discussion/Audience Question and Answer 

Afternoon Program

12:40-1:20
Lunch

1:20-3:00
Federal Government Options
Moderator: Linda Stuntz, Founding Partner, Stuntz, Davis, & Staffier, PC

Federal authorities and approach
Peter Tsirigotis, Division Director, US Environmental Protection Agency
Doug Smith, Member, Van Ness Feldman

Respondents:
Jeff Holmstead, Head of Environmental Strategies, Bracewell & Guiliani
David Hawkins, Director of Climate Programs, Natural Resources Defense Council
Panel Discussion/Audience Question and Answer

3:00-3:15
Break

3:15-4:50
Legislative Options

Moderator: Dave Conover, Senior Vice President, Bipartisan Policy Center

Congressional staff
Maryam Brown, Majority Staff, House Energy and Commerce Committee
Alexandra Teitz, Senior Counsel, House Energy and Commerce Committee
Michael Catanzaro, Deputy Staff Director, Senate Environment & Public Works
Jonathan Black, Professional Staff, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Panel Discussion/Audience Question and Answer

4:50-5:00
Wrap Up

Energy Project, The Electric Grid Initiative