Schedule
Conference Program Annual Meeting 2024
Sunday, September 15
- 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Alderbrook lobby
Conference registration
- 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Members only
NIPPC Annual Board Meeting
Members only.
- 4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Conference opens
Welcome
Spencer Gray, Executive Director, NIPPC
- 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
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
- 5:15 pm – 7:00 pm
Opening Reception
Sponsored by NextEra Energy Resources.
- 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Firepit marshmallow roast
Activity option: Sunday game night
Monday, September 16
- 7:45 am – 8:30 am
Continental breakfast
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am
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
- 9:30 am – 10:00 am
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
- 10:15 am – 10:45 am
View from BPA
View from BPA: Balancing Grid Investments and Affordability
Marcus Harris, Bonneville Power Administration
- 10:45 am - 12:15 pm
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.
- 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Olympic terrace
Buffet Lunch
- 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm
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
- 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
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
- 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm
Beer Garden Reception
- Hosted bar and appetizers.
- All guests invited.
- 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Banquet Program
Banquet address
Ryan Flynn, Pacific Power
- 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Sponsored
Evening Receptions
NIPPC’s unofficial after-parties, hosted by K&L Gates and Tetra Tech.
Tuesday, September 17
- 7:30 am - 8:30 am
Full Buffet Breakfast
- 8:15 am – 9:00 am
Views from FERC
- 9:00 am – 10:15 am
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.
- 10:15 am – 10:30 am
Closing Comments: NIPPC in 2024
- Spencer Gray, Executive Director, Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition
- 10:30 am
Conference Adjourns
Please note: Conference program may be subject to change. Correct as of August 23, 2024.
