Midwest Regional Meeting 2014

Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Inn on the Park, the Vilas Room, 22 S. Carroll Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703

Agenda

Tuesday, April 1

8:00 am – 8:15 am
Welcome and Introductions
Following brief introductions, the presenters will review the meeting agenda.

Presenters:

  • David Terry, Executive Director, NASEO
  • Susan Brown, Deputy Administrator, Division of Energy Services, Wisconsin State Energy Office; Midwest representative, NASEO Board
  • Jeff Pillon, Midwest Regional Coordinator, NASEO

8:15 am – 9:30 am
State Priorities Roundtable
Each State Energy Office will have 8 minutes to highlight their energy policy and program priorities.  In the remaining time each State Energy Office will identify the challenge they want to overcome by collaborating as a region.

Moderator: 

  • Susan Brown, Deputy Administrator, Division of Energy Services, Wisconsin State Energy Office; Midwest Representative, NASEO Board

9:30 am – 10:30 am
EPA’s Pending Standards for Existing Power Plants Under 111(d) – Issues and Opportunities
Among the most significant potential changes to the power sector in decades, EPA’s final greenhouse gas standards for existing power plants are expected for release in June 2015.  State Energy Offices may be able to contribute to compliance through their energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.           

Moderator:

  • David Terry, Executive Director, NASEO

Presenter:

  • Angie Dickens, Air Policy Analyst, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Focus:

  • Foundational information on the pending standards under the Clean Air Act’s 111(d) provision for existing power plants.
  • NASEO update on collaboration with national state associations and the private sector.
  • Perspective from an air quality official regarding the incorporation of efficiency programs into the implementation plans.

Discussion:

  • What approaches are the states considering to comply with the potential standards?  
  • What are the objectives of working together regionally?
  • What are the achievable actions to address those objectives?

10:30 am – 10:45 am
Break

10:45 am - 11:45 am
Rural and Ag-Energy Initiatives – Existing and Planned State Actions
The Farm Bill includes an historic $881 million in mandatory funding under the Energy Title.  This is an opportunity for State Energy Offices to partner with farmers, ranchers, and rural communities to expand energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. 

Moderator:

  • Paritosh Kasotia, Team Lead, Iowa Energy Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority

Presenter:          

  • Andy Olsen, Senior Policy Advocate, Environmental Law and Policy Center

Focus:

  • Description of the Energy Title under the recent Farm Bill.
  • Leveraging the State Energy Offices SEP funding, including financing programs.

Discussion:

  • What are the states’ current activities in the rural and ag-energy sectors?
  • What gaps or needs exist in these sectors that the State Energy Offices and NASEO can meet?
  • How and what can we learn from each other regionally?
  • Where would regional action help to meet the needs identified?

11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Working Lunch

12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program Update
The DOE WIP operates 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. 

Moderator:       

  • Susan Brown, Deputy Administrator, Division of Energy Services, Wisconsin State Energy Office; Midwest Representative, NASEO Board

Presenter:          

  • Anna Garcia, Director of the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy       

Focus:

  • Status update on SEP and WIP funding and program direction.
  • Timing of SEP formula and competitive funding opportunity announcements.
  • Introduce the regional project officers.
  • Learn more about the DOE’s objectives for the regional approach.
  • Understand how the project officers will interact with the states moving forward.

Discussion:

  • How do the states’ priorities align with the direction of DOE?
  • What are the expectations of the project officers? 
  • What programmatic changes will enhance state-federal coordination and SEP operations?

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
Industrial Energy Efficiency and Advanced Manufacturing
Over the past several years, the U.S. Department of Energy’s manufacturing and industrial energy activities have evolved.  They now include a focus on both advanced manufacturing technologies research and facilitation of increased industrial efficiency and CHP through technical assistance.  This session provides an overview of the direction and priorities of DOE’s program and an update from the Midwest CHP Technical Assistance Partnership.

Moderator:       

  • David Baker, Energy Division Manager, Illinois Energy and Recycling Office, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Presenters:        

  • Jay Wrobel, Technical Assistance Supervisor, Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy (via phone)
  • John Cuttica, Director, Energy Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago               

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Break

3:15 pm – 5:00 pm
Wisconsin Energy Institute Microgrid Tour
The Wisconsin Energy Institute’s high bay lab allows researchers to explore promising microgrid technologies. Here, machines simulate generation from renewable sources and consumption loads. Researchers examine how these sources interact with each other and the microgrid and how the microgrid cooperates with the traditional grid.

6:00 pm
Networking Dinner

Wednesday, April 2

8:00 am – 9:00 am
State Energy Planning Guidance
Several Midwest states are undertaking energy planning.  NASEO has an energy planning database and guidelines on the process. 

Moderator:

  • Jeff Pillon, Midwest Regtional Coordinator, NASEO

Presenter:          

  • Kate Marks, Managing Director, NASEO (via phone)

Focus:

  • Review NASEO’s state energy planning guidance documents. 
  • Explore the best practices in state energy planning processes and implementation.
  • Understand the state and national implications of a comprehensive and strategic state energy plan. 

Discussion:

  • Where in the energy planning process is each of the states?
  • What additional guidance is needed?

9:00 am – 10:00 am
Propane Supply and Price Concerns
The Midwest states faced tremendous propane supply and price challenges this winter.  Continuing record cold weather intensifies the response, which potentially could recur next year.

Moderator:

  • Tristan Vance, Director, Indiana Office of Energy Development

Presenters:        

  • David Terry, Executive Director, NASEO
  • Jeff Pillon, NASEO Midwest Regtional Coordinator
  • April Salas, Preparedness and Response, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, U.S. Department of Energy (via phone)

Focus:

  • Understand the current status of supplies and the potential long-term impacts of changes in propane delivery.
  • Describe the collaborative efforts of NASEO, the states, DOE, and industry to address affordability and supply concerns.
  • Consideration in increasing storage and fuel diversification

Discussion:

  • What are the options to mitigate ongoing and future supply and price concerns?
  • What is the role of the State Energy Offices moving forward?

10:00 am – 11:00 am
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure Collaboration
The State Energy Offices continue to explore the best use of domestic resources, reduced reliance on imported oil, and air quality improvements in the transportation sector. 

Moderator:

  • David Terry, Executive Director, NASEO

Presenters:        

  • Maria Redmond, Senior Analyst and Program Manager; Transportation Fuels, Division of Energy Services, Wisconsin State Energy Office
  • Sandy Fazeli, Program Manager, National Association of State Energy Officials (via phone)

Focus:

  • Explore the natural gas, electric, hybrid-electric, biofuel vehicle and infrastructure opportunities and current state activities in the Midwest.
  • Provide an update on NASEO’s coordination with Clean Cities Coalitions, particularly in the energy assurance area.
  • Gain input from key alternative fuel infrastructure partners

Discussion:

  • How is the region currently working collaboratively in the AFV infrastructure area?
  • What activities would encourage increased coordination, if needed?

11:00 am – 11:15 am
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Update

Presenter:

  • Julia Friedman, Senior Policy Manager, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

11:15 am – 11:45 am
NASEO Programs and Policy Update

Presenter:

  • David Terry, Executive Director, NASEO

Focus:

  • Prioritize the action items and address any additional business in the Midwest region.

11:45 am – 12:00 pm
Wrap-up and Action Items

12:00 pm
Adjourn