Last Year's Schedule

Conference Program Annual Meeting 2024

Sunday, September 15

Alderbrook lobby

Conference registration

Members only

NIPPC Annual Board Meeting

Conference opens

Welcome

Spencer Gray, Executive Director, NIPPC

Armchair Discussion

The Future of Electric Power in Puget Sound and the West

John Haarlow, Snohomish County PUD
Dawn Lindell, Seattle City Light

Moderator: Spencer Gray, NIPPC

Opening Reception

Monday, September 17

Continental breakfast

Special Seminar

Carbon Markets and Potential Repeal of the CCA: Where We Go From Here

The panel will provide an overview of the current status of carbon markets in the West, potential repeal of the Climate Commitment Act in Washington, and impacts on power producers and carbon markets in Washington and throughout the Western United States, including potential linkage with markets in California and Quebec.

Presented by K&L Gates

Special Presentation

Fusion Energy: A Potential Game-Changer Emerging in Washington State?

Fusion power, the energy generated by the fusing of atomic nuclei, has long been heralded as humankind’s ultimate energy source, but has repeatedly proven scientifically and technologically elusive. Zap Energy is among the leaders of an emerging set of companies, including several located in Washington State, that are attempting to commercialize this potentially transformative energy technology.

Presented by Zap Energy

View from BPA

Balancing Grid Investments and Affordability

Marcus Harris, Bonneville Power Administration

Panel 1

Beyond Hobson: Market Choices in the West

Nate Hill, Amazon Web Services
Chris Robinson, Tacoma Power
Kelsey Martinez, Public Service Company of New Mexico

Panelists will explore the organized market choices in the West from their respective positions and how the service offerings from CAISO and SPP have mutually influenced each other.

Moderator: Spencer Gray, NIPPC

Olympic Terrace

Buffet Lunch

Panel 2

Linear Momentum: Transmission’s Long Moment

Christina Hayes, Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG)
Brant Johnson, Grid United
Michelle Manary, Bonneville Power Administration
Shaun Foster, Portland General Electric

Panelists will delve into the most recent transmission developments affecting the Northwest, including FERC Order 1920, federal permitting legislation, WestTEC, BPA’s transmission business reforms, and independent transmission project milestones in the region.

Moderator: Megan Decker, Oregon Public Utility Commission

Panel 3

Hatch, Match, and Dispatch: Storage and Thermal on a Low Carbon Grid

Chris Taylor, GridStor
Arne Olson, E3 – Energy & Environmental Economics
Wolfram Pohl, Orrick

Panelists will describe the state and future of dispatchable resources, including long-duration storage and natural gas generation, on the Western grid as decarbonization deepens.

Moderator: Jane Rueger, Perkins Coie

Beer Garden Reception

Hosted bar and appetizers.
All guests invited.

Banquet program

Banquet Address

Ryan Flynn, Pacific Power

Tuesday, September 17

Full Buffet Breakfast

Views from FERC

Amery Pore, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Steven Wellner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Panel 4

Gray Rhinos and Smart Money: Risks and Opportunities in Power Sector Finance

Ryan Warren, LevelTen
Letha Tawney, Oregon Public Utility Commission
Jon Piliaris, Puget Sound Energy

Panelists will explore emerging utility and IPP challenges including wildfire liability, retail rate pressure, and observations from price indices and wholesale market trends.

Moderator: Eric Christensen, Beveridge & Diamond

Closing Comments: NIPPC in 2024

Spencer Gray, Executive Director, Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition

Conference Adjourns

Please note: Conference program may be subject to change. Correct as of August 23, 2024.