DAY ONE - August 1st

Opening Plenary
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Emerging Policies on Climate and Carbon
Policies and regulations to accelerate the development of renewable energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are changing rapidly. Innovative policies developed by states, the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing EPA to regulate carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act, and reports by the International Panel on Climate Change are fueling this dynamic environment. Panelists in this session will discuss their snapshot perspectives about challenges and opportunities presented as political, legal, and financial forces reshape "business as usual."
   Moderator:
       Roger Clark, Air and Energy Director, Grand Canyon Trust
   Speakers:
       Sarah Cottrell, Energy & Environmental Policy Advisor, Governor Richardson
       John O’Donnell, President, Ausra
              Vicki Patton, Attorney, Environmental Defense
              Bob Gough, Secretary, Intertribal Council on Utility Policy


Concurrent Sessions
10:20 a.m. - Noon
Renewable Energy Technology Update
What's new in wind, solar, biomass and geothermal technologies? This session will review the state-of-the-art of renewable energy technologies and provide information on system efficiencies, new product developments, emerging technologies and promising research breakthroughs. This session is a must see to stay current on myriad developments in renewables.
   Moderator:
       Suzanne Tegen, Post-Doctoral Environmental Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
   Speakers:
       Jim Sears, Principal, A2BE Carbon Capture
       Andy Walker, Senior Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
              Dr. Martin Hoffert, Professor of Physics, Emeritus, New York University

Water and Energy
Water availability and allocation has always been a contentious issue in the West. As the region's population and power needs grow water needed for power generation has begun to compete with water needs for agriculture and human and animal populations. Attend this session and learn about water resource availability, growing demand, risks associated with drought and climate change, and the water saving potential through renewable energy development. This important regional issue will drive policy on water use choices and provide a new and urgent opportunity for renewable energy development.
   Moderator:
       Larry Flowers, Team Leader, Wind Technology Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
   Speakers:
       Tom Acker, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Northern Arizona University
       Tracy Hern, Water Resources Associate, Western Resource Advocates
       Bart Miller, Water Program Director, Western Resource Advocates
       Robert McComb, Associate Professor, Texas Tech University
       Larry Flowers, Team Leader, Wind Technology Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
              Marty Hoerling, Research Meteorologist, NOAA

Luncheon
Noon - 1:20 p.m.
Nature's Trust: A Legal, Political, and Moral Frame for Global Warming
Professor Wood portrays the urgency of global warming and discusses the role of environmental law in bringing about this crisis. She explains why our regulatory system has ignored this problem for too long and offers a property-based perspective to frame government's responsibility in confronting the climate crisis.
   Speaker:
       Mary Christina Wood, Philip H. Knight Professor of Law, University of Oregon School of Law


Concurrent Sessions
1:20 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Expanding the Electric Grid for Renewable Energy
Renewable energy and fossil resources are typically found in locations remote from the load and need transmission infrastructure to transmit power to market. This session will provide an overview of transmission planning processes in the West, the major projects under consideration around the West and how renewable energy resources are being considered in planning. If you are interested in the development of inter-state and intra-state transmission projects this session is for you.
   Moderator:
       Debra Lew, Senior Research Project Leader, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
   Speakers:
       Mark Etherton, P.E., President, PDS Consulting
       Rob Kondziolka, Manager, Transmission Planning, Salt River Project
       Jerry Vaninetti, Vice President, Western Development, Trans Elect

Implications of Federal Actions
Substantial federal policy has been adopted in the past year that will affect renewable energy development. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Order 890 on transmission treatment for renewables, design of federal energy corridors for transmission, new interest in renewables at the Western Area Power Administration and other topics and their implications will be explored. This session will provide a summary of the actions and provide you with context to interpret the potential impact on your projects and plans.
   Speakers:
       Darby Collins, Project Mgr, Energy Corridor Designation -Epact Section 368, U.S. DOE
       Daniel Fleischmann, Project Initiation Manager, Ormat Nevada, Inc.
       Bob Fullerton, Power Marketing Advisor, Western Area Power Administration
              Jack Gleason, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
              Robert Cunningham, Asst. Director, Lands and Realty Management, USDA Forest Service


Concurrent Sessions
3:20 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Case Studies of Interconnecting Wind Energy to the Electric Grid
In the past few years significant-sized wind projects have been interconnected to the grid around the West. What effects have this variable resource had on the electric power system? What steps were taken by the utility and developer to ensure a smooth interconnection and integration process? This session will present case studies from utilities that have connected wind projects in their service territory. The predicted and actual costs of wind integration will also be addressed.
   Moderator:
       Michael Milligan, Consultant, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
   Speakers:
       Abraham Ellis, Senior Transmission Planning Engineer, PNM
       Steve Mornis, Representative, Transmission Accounts, Xcel Energy, Public Service Company of Colorado
       James Blatchford, Sr. Policy Issue Representative, Ext Affairs Division, CA Independent System Operator
       Kevin Pera, Specialty Eng, Transmission Operations, Xcel Energy, Public Service Company of Colorado

Understanding the Challenges for Rural Electric Providers
Cooperatives and Generation and Transmission Companies in the West's rural areas face unique challenges to develop and support renewable energy projects. This session is designed to discuss barriers, opportunities and policies that can aid in the development and procurement of renewable energy projects. Topics will include collective bidding methods, supportive policy, small scale project development and more.
   Moderator:
       Rick Gilliam, Director, Western States Policy, SunEdison
   Speakers:
       Bruce Driver, Attorney and Consultant
       Mark Farnsworth, General Manager, Highline Electric Association
       Tony Frank, Director, Renewable Energy Development, Cooperative Economic Development Center
              Barbara Walker, Executive Director, Independent Bankers of Colorado

DAY TWO - August 2nd

Morning Keynote
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
An Energy Revolution for the Greenhouse Century
A revolutionary change in energy generation and distribution away from the present fossil fuel system is needed to prevent irreversible adverse climate change. Dr. Hoffert will discuss specific primary power-generating technologies that could energize high-tech civilization and describe the massive US-led Apollo-like program of research, development, demonstration & diffusion (RDD & D) that is needed now to stem global warming tide.
   Speaker:
       Dr. Martin Hoffert, Professor Emeritus of Physics, New York University

Concurrent Sessions
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Planning and Procuring Renewable Energy Resources - Part I
Planning and procuring renewable energy resources can be viewed as a four part process, identifying power resource needs (Resource Planning), evaluating the risks of alternative resources within a utility power portfolio (Metrics), designing a procurement process to obtain bids for new generation (RFP) and negotiating contracts (Risk Allocation). This two part session will explore development of Metrics and RFPs to shed light on the most effective processes.

Metrics and Tools for Evaluating Renewable Energy
The metrics chosen to evaluate renewable energy resources are crucial. These include load forecasts, electric price forecasts, gas price forecasts, capital costs, discount rates, and environmental requirements, such as carbon adders. This session will highlight modeling tools, such as Monte Carlo analysis, that depend on and inform the evaluation metrics.
   Moderator:
       Larry Barrett, President, Barrett Consulting Associates, Inc.
   Speakers:
       Phillip Popoff, Manager, Integrated Resource Planning, Puget Sound Energy
       John Romero, General Manager, Acquisition, Engineering and Planning, Colorado Springs Utilities
       Brian Walshe, President, ION Consulting

Innovative Policies to Spur Transmission Development
Planning and construction of transmission lines typically takes years longer than renewable project development. How do states encourage the building of transmission to support the development of renewable resources? This session will examine the feasibility of a wind-only transmission line from Wyoming to California, Colorado's new policy to build transmission to energy resource zones, and New Mexico's new Renewable Energy Transmission Authority that will help develop transmission for renewable energy. Learn how these innovative policies are changing how transmission will be constructed and financed.
   Moderator:
       Tom Carr, Attorney and Economist, Western Interstate Energy Board
   Speakers:
       David Olsen, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies and West Wind Wires
       Joanna Prukop, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico's Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources
              Tom Plant, Director, Colorado Governor's Energy Office

Concurrent Sessions
10:20 a.m. - Noon
Procuring Renewable Energy Resources - Part II
Planning and procuring renewable energy resources can be viewed as a four part process, identifying power resource needs (Resource Planning), evaluating the risks of alternative resources within a utility power portfolio (Metrics), designing a procurement process to obtain bids for new generation (RFP) and negotiating contracts (Risk Allocation). This two part session will explore development of Metrics and RFPs to shed light on the most effective processes.

Designing an Effective Request For Proposal (RFP) Process
RFPs have become a common method to procure renewable energy resources. In this session utilities and developers will answer a series of questions to share their perspectives on the components of an effective RFP. Learn tips from the experts on running a successful RFP to obtain the resources your utility needs or to be a successful bidder.
   Moderator:
       Lori Singleton, Manager, Environmental Initiatives, Salt River Project
   Speakers:
       Matthew A. Dickey, Director of Municipal and Non-profit Sales, SunEdison
              Dan Frank, Electric Contract Manager, Renewable Development, San Diego Gas and Electric

Getting Engaged - Public Participation and Advocate Strategies
Decision making on resource choices for the future is enhanced with stakeholder involvement and public input. Broad stakeholder processes can create plans and decisions that are widely supported, more easily funded and more reflective of those footing the bill. This session will present examples of how to engage utility customers, spur interest and involvement in IRP and resource planning processes and tips for generating public input.
   Moderator:
       Matt Baker, Executive Director, Environment Colorado
   Speakers:
       Tracee Bentley, Western U.S. Facilitator, 25x25
       Chuck Malick, Legislative Liaison
       Lola Spradley, Former Speaker, Colorado House of Representatives.


Luncheon
Noon - 1:20 p.m.


Colorado's emerging leadership role in renewable energy
Under the leadership of Governor Bill Ritter the state has recently passes a comprehensive package of renewable energy legislation. These new policies make Colorado a key player in the West and nationally in renewable energy development. Hear from the Governor his vision for Colorado's "new energy economy."
   Speakers:
       The Honorable Bill Ritter, Governor, State of Colorado

Concurrent Sessions
1:20 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Regulatory Treatment of Renewable Energy
How Public Utility Commissioners view renewable energy resources influences utility resource planning and acquisitions, potential for renewables imports and exports, transmission expansion, and cost recovery for these resources. Do regulators view renewables as prudent long-term investments, value their price stability or appreciate the environmental benefits? Regulatory commissioners from Western States will provide their perspectives.
   Moderator:
       Ron Lehr, Attorney, American Wind Energy Association
   Speakers:
       Ron Binz, Chairman, Colorado Public Utility Commission
       Jason Marks, Vice-Chairman, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
       John Savage, Commissioner, Oregon Public Utility Commission

The End Game in Renewables - Potentials & Goals
Most folks will agree that developing renewable energy resources provides benefits but how much should we rely upon solar, wind, biomass and geothermal for our future energy needs? How much is enough and how much is too much? To date development has been largely driven by portfolio mandates and tax policy. In the past two years examination of the potential for renewables has been conducted for the West and goals and targets are beginning to shape development. This session will provide information on recent work to chart our future and find the end game for renewables.
   Speakers:
       Rich Halvey, Program Director, Energy and Air Quality, Western Governors' Association
       Steve Lindenberg, Acting Director, Wind and Hydro Programs, U.S. Department of Energy
       James Walker, enXco, Inc.
              Amanda Ormond, Principal, Ormond Group

Closing Plenary
3:20 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Utility Leadership in Renewable Energy Development
Why do certain electric utilities invest in renewable well beyond local requirements or their peer companies? What are the factors that drive these utilities to aggressively seek renewables and incorporate these resources into their portfolios? Leaders from several utilities will discuss their companies' outlook and treatment of renewable energy resources in our closing plenary session.
   Moderator:
       Craig Cox, Executive Director, Interwest Energy Alliance
   Speakers:
       Paul Bonavia, President, Utilities Group, Xcel Energy
              Dan McClendon, General Manager, Delta-Montrose Electric Association
              Luis Reyes, Chief Executive Officer, Kit Carson