Central Regional Meeting 2015

June 11-12, 2015 - National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
NREL Tour with Otto VanGeet, Principal Engineer, NREL

DAY 1 - TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

7:30 am
Meet in Sheraton lobby for transportation to NREL Facility

7:45 am
Shuttle pick up from Sheraton

8:00 am
Arrive at NREL

8:00 am - 8:45 am
Continental breakfast and security check-in (NREL Education Center)

8:45 am - 9:15 am - NREL Education Center
Welcome and Introductions
Following a brief introductions, the presenters and attendees will review the meeting agenda, planned focus and discussion.

Presenters:

  • David Terry, Executive Director, National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
  • David Warner, Public Affairs, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
  • Jeff Ackermann, Director, Colorado State Energy Office; Central Region Representative to NASEO Board of Directors
  • Paul Miller, Assistant Director of Energy, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Central Region Representative to NASEO Board of Directors

 
9:15 am
Walk to NREL Research Support Facility (RSF)

 
9:30 am - 11:45 am - Research Support Facility, San Juan A and B (Room 344)
State Policy and Program Priorities Roundtable
During this roundtable, each State and Territory Energy Office will share the major energy actions, priorities, and issues happening in their respective state/territory. This update should include both energy issues that are within the State Energy Offices' purview, as well as those that extend beyond the offices. The roundtable will give participants the chance to hear from their peers, identify ways they can work together, and elevate areas that NASEO can provide assistance. (Approximately 10 minutes for each state)

Moderators:

  • Jeff Ackermann, Director, Colorado State Energy Office; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
  • Paul Miller, Assistant Director of Energy, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors

Focus:

  • Each State and Territory Energy Office will provide an update on the program, policy, and planning priorities and challenges within their state

Discussion:

  • Are there several States with similar priorities and focus?
  • What can NASEO do to assist in achieving the states’ goals?
  • Is there a role for NASEO, DOE, EPA, NASEO Affiliate Members, or others to provide assistance?

 
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Lunch, NREL Overview

Moderator:

  • David Terry, Executive Director, NASEO

Presenter:

  • Bobi Garrett, Deputy Laboratory Director, Strategic Programs and Partnerships, NREL

 
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
What does the Future Hold for 111(d)?
Colorado State University's Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) published a report in 2014 for policy and decision makers relating to 111(d). The guide is intended to provide a resource for states as they consider compliance options and implementation methods. During this session, experts from CNEE and NREL will be on hand to discuss the next steps as the states prepare for the final rule slated to be issued in June.

Moderator:

  • Jeff Ackermann, Director, Colorado State Energy Office; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors

Presenters:

  • Jeff Lyng, Senior Policy Advisor, Center for the New Energy Economy
  • Aaron Levine, Legal and Regulatory Analyst, NREL

 
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Working Together: Relationship Building between State Energy Offices and Other State Agencies
This session will focus on examples of substantive, collaborative work taking place between state energy offices and other state entities like public utility commissions and environmental protection agencies. This session will include region-specific examples of work being conducted between state energy offices and public utility commissions within the region (e.g., regional planning, renewable integration, building energy codes, energy assurance, microgrids, natural gas constraints, RTO issues).

Moderator:

  • Laura Andersen, Director, Montana State Energy Office

Presenters:

  • Jeff Ackermann, Director, Colorado State Energy Office; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
  • Drew Bolin, Section Chief, Colorado PUC for Research and Emerging Issues
  • Dena Wojtach, Chief of Regulatory Development, Colorado Air Pollution and Control Division

Focus:

  • Presenters will provide examples of substantive and collaborative work being conducted between the State Energy Office and other state entities within the region.

 
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Break

3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Leveraging Public-Private Relationships in State Energy Planning
Recently, NASEO launched a task force comprised of Affiliate Members and State Energy Offices to discuss best practices and lessons learned regarding state energy planning, specifically addressing effective private sector engagement throughout the planning process. This session will provide an update on state activity regarding energy planning and will highlight lessons learned and best practices for working with the private sector.

Moderator:

  • Melissa Savage, Senior Program Director and Central Region Coordinator, NASEO

Presenters:

  • David Bracht, Director, Nebraska Energy Office
  • Ashley Duckman, Director, State Affairs, American Gas Association and NASEO Affiliate Member

 
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Behavioral Based Energy Efficiency and Commercial Buildings
Behavior-based energy efficiency programs in the residential sector have been identified as a source of new energy savings and are becoming an increasingly popular way to help meet energy savings targets. As these programs become more widely-used, many are considering the benefits of similar programs in the commercial buildings market. This session will look at technology and opportunities in this sector.

Moderator:

  • Paul Miller, Assistant Director of Energy, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors

Presenters:

  • Shanti Pless, Senior Research Engineer, NREL
  • Lisa Hough, Vice President, External Affairs, Simple Energy

 
4:45 pm - 5:30 pm
National Policy and Funding Outlook and NASEO Programs Update

Presenter:

  • David Terry, NASEO Executive Director

 
6:00 pm
Networking Dinner
Arrangements have been made for a Dutch treat dinner in historic downtown Golden at Indulge Bistro and Wine Bar. We will carpool directly from NREL to the restaurant, located at: 1299 Washington Avenue Golden, CO 80401

 
DAY 2 - FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

7:00 am
Shuttle from Sheraton

7:30 am - 8:00 am - Research Support Facility – San Juan A and B (Room 344)
Continental Breakfast

8:00 am - 8:45 am - Research Support Facility – San Juan A and B (Room 344)
U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program Update
The U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program (WIP) oversees the U.S. State Energy Program and Weatherization Assistance Program and provides technical assistance to states in developing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and programs. Topics addressed during this session will include WIP priorities, as well as best practices information and lessons learned regarding water and wastewater treatment energy efficiency efforts.

Moderator:

  • Dub Taylor, Director, Texas Energy Conservation Office; Parliamentarian, NASEO Board of Directors

Presenter:

  • Greg Davoren, Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs, U.S. Department of Energy

Focus:

  • Status update on SEP, WAP, and WIP funding and program direction
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment Energy Efficiency Efforts

 
8:45 am - 9:30 am
Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) Update
In late April, the US Department of Energy released the initial installment of the first-ever
Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), which looks at modernization needs of the Nation’s energy infrastructure to promote economic competitiveness, energy security, and environmental stewardship. This first installment of the report focuses on energy transmission, storage, and distribution. This session will provide an overview of the report and discussion around what the QER means for the states.

Moderator:

  • Andrea Holl Pfennig, Energy Outreach and Special Programs Administrator, North Dakota Energy Office

Presenter:

  • Kate Marks, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, U.S. Department of Energy

 
9:30 am - 10:30 am
State Strategies on Financing Energy Projects
State utilization of innovative and practical energy efficiency and renewable energy financing programs has grown significantly. This session examines best practices around conventional revolving loan funds, an update on the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Program, and information about financing options offered through USDA.

Moderator:

  • Paul Miller, Assistant Director of Energy, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors

Presenters:

  • Dub Taylor, Director, Texas Energy Conservation Office; Parliamentarian to the NASEO Board of Directors
  • Deb Yocum, Rural Development Regional Energy Coordinator, USDA

 
10:30 am - 10:45 am
Break

10:45 am - 11:45 am
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
State Energy Offices play a crucial role in efforts to advance the market for alternatively powered vehicles. Deploying the vehicles themselves and building the fueling and charging infrastructure network requires states to consider innovative approaches to funding as well as building partnerships in the transportation sector. This session will explore existing strategies being employed throughout the Central Region.

Moderator:

  • Jeff Ackermann, Director, Colorado State Energy Office; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors

Presenters:

  • Alex Schroeder, Transportation Technology Deployment Manager, NREL
  • Ryan Daley, Fleet Analytics Manager, Vision Fleet
  • Eric Van Orden, Product Developer for Emerging Customer Programs, Xcel Energy

 
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Lunch, High Level Overview of NREL Tools and Resources

Moderator:

  • Vaughn Clark, Director, Office of Community Development, Oklahoma Department of Commerce; Past Chair to the NASEO Board of Directors

Presenter:

 
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Leveraging the National Laboratories: NREL Tools, Resources, and Collaboration
During this session, NREL experts will showcase technical assistance projects, and programs and have a focused discussion on ways State Energy Offices can tap into the information available from NREL and the other National Labs.

Moderator:

  • Paul Miller, Assistant Director of Energy, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors

Presenters:

 
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Action Items and Wrap-up
This session will review issues and actions elevated during various meeting sessions.

Presenters:

  • Jeff Ackermann, Director, Colorado Energy Office; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
  • Paul Miller, Assistant Director of Energy, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Central Region Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
  • Melissa Savage, Senior Program Director and Central Region Coordinator, NASEO

Focus:

  • Prioritize the action items and address any additional business in the region.
  • The 2015 NASEO Annual Meeting will be held in San Diego, CA, September 13-16, 2015. NASEO is planning a slate of informative discussions and session for this Annual Meeting and is looking for input from the regions to structure the Annual Meeting’s theme and content.

 
2:00 pm
Adjourn