On August 11, NASEO presented at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hosted Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The event focused on state, local, and tribal governance and regulatory issues associated with natural gas, liquid fuels and electric transmission, and energy storage and distribution infrastructure. The meeting was opened by Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell, and Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico. In addition, David Martin, New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources presented on oil and natural gas infrastructure issues.
DOE organized three expert panels to explore evolving trends in jurisdiction, policy and regulation, and operational issues from the state, local and tribal perspectives. Jeff Pillon, NASEO’s Director of Energy Assurance, participated on the Vulnerabilities and Desirable Characteristics of the Future Energy System panel which looked at how states, localities, and tribes face numerous issues associated with the balance between creating energy economic development opportunities and ensuring a safe, reliable, secure, affordable and environmentally responsible energy system. Jeff Pillon’s remarks are available on the NASEO website.