2019 Conference Agenda

• Day 1:
  • 8:00am

    Continental Breakfast

  • 8:55am

    Conference Opens, Welcome and Introductions

  • 9:00am

    Themes in Markets and Regulation

    Lillian Federico, Research Director, S&P Global Market Intelligence

    • Lillian will provide an update on energy utility capital spending, regulatory activity, and innovative mechanisms being used to address regulatory lag.
  • 9:30am

    Special Executive Interview

    Robert F. Powelson, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Water Companies – interview conducted by Heike Doerr, Principal Analyst, S&P Global Market Intelligence

  • 10:00am

    Networking Break

  • 10:15am

    Federal Policy Roundtable

    Moderator: Branko Terzic, Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group
    
    Michelle Bloodworth, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Coalition for Clean Coal Energy
    
    John Kotek, Vice President Policy Development and Public Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute
    
    Philip Moeller, Executive Vice President, Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs, Edison Electric Institute
    
    Lori Traweek, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, American Gas Association

    • Hear from the leading utility executives as they examine the changes in leadership at the federal level, including FERC and EPA, and the impact this change in leadership will have on current bills and proposals, including the Ace Rul. With a Presidential election looming, what does all this mean for orders and approvals?
  • 12:00pm

    Executive Luncheon

  • 1:00pm

    FERC Panel

    Moderator: Jim O’Reilly, Senior Research Analyst, S&P Global Market Intelligence
    
    Michael Diamond, Senior Associate, Van Ness Feldman LLP
    
    Craig Glazer, Vice President Regulatory, PJM Interconnection
    
    Bill Jett, Director Wholesale Markets and Transmission Policy, Duke Energy

    • Panelists examine the impact of leadership changes at FERC, and pending rulings. What are the likely outcomes of FERC’s inquiry into grid resiliency and reliability? Discuss the utility perspective on proposed new ROE methodology. How will FERC react to changing opinion on environmental policy, and what is FERC’s role in addressing these concerns?
  • 2:15pm

    Networking Break

  • 2:30pm

    Cyber and Physical Security: Protecting the Grid

    Scott Aaronson, Vice President Security and Business Continuity, Edison Electric Institute
    
    Chad Connell, Director, Security Operations and Threat Intelligence, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
    
    Bennett Gaines, Senior Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Information Officer, FirstEnergy Service Company
    
    Brian Harrell, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, United State Department of Homeland Security
    
    Brenna Lenchak, Vice President, General Counsel, Fidelis Cybersecurity

    • Utilities face constant pressure to protect our nation’s infrastructure, including cyber, physical, and natural disasters. In this session, we will examine what safeguards utilities implement to keep the grid safe from all threats.
  • 3:45pm

    Fireside Chat with the Commissioner

    Nick Wagner, President, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) – interviewed by Lillian Federico, SPGMI

  • 4:15pm

    Networking Break

  • 4:30pm

    Investor Perspective on Regulated Utilities

    Moderator: Peter Keller, Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group
    
    Gabe Grosberg, Senior Director-North American Regulated Utilities, S&P Global Ratings
    
    Edward Manheimer, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
    
    Naaz Khumawala, Senior Analyst, Castleton Investment Management

    • Utilities have long been a safe investment, with a consistent return. In this session, we will examine the current investment market, including interest in transmission, renewables, and water utilities, and discuss how shifting generation assets are impacting returns.
  • 5:30pm

    Day One Concludes with Cocktail Reception

• Day 2:
  • 8:00am

    Continental Breakfast

  • 9:00am

    Technology and Innovation for the Regulated Utility

    Moderator: Paul DeCotis, Senior Director, Head of East Coast Energy and Utilities Practice, West Monroe Partners
    
    Ani Backa, Director, Regulatory Strategy and Utility Initiatives-US, Sonnen
    
    Val Jensen, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Policy, Exelon
    
    Myles Burnsed, Vice President of Business Development, New Markets, EDF Renewables
    
    Melissa Kemp, Policy Director-Northeast, Cypress Creek Renewables

    • Technology continues to drive the industry, including EV, battery storage, and micro grids. How are utilities addressing the customer demand, and what opportunities do utilities have to partner with private companies?
  • 10:30am

    Networking Break

  • 10:45am

    The Great Rate Debate: Will it Abate or Can a Fresh Approach no Longer Wait?

    Moderator: Russell Ernst, CFA, Senior Research Analyst S&P Global Market Intelligence
    
    Paula Carmody, People’s Counsel, Maryland Office of People’s Counsel
    
    Travis Kavulla, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy, R Street Institute
    
    Leland Snook, Director, Rates & Rate Strategy, Arizona Public Service Company

    • The traditional rate case model has been used for decades, but is the framework still the best way to set utility rates? Technology is altering the investments that many utilities are making and the way that customers think about their utility services. Hear from a diverse panel of experienced industry practitioners about the merits of altering existing rate-setting methods and the steps needed to do so.
  • 12:00pm

    Conference Re-Cap and Takeaways

    Lillian Federico, Research Director, S&P Global Market Intelligence

  • 12:15pm

    Conference Concludes