Fall 2024 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference, November 13 in Seattle, WA!
Join the NW Energy Coalition for our Fall 2024 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference!
Wednesday, November 13
8 AM – 7 PM, PT
The University of Washington HUB – Seattle, WA
Join us on November 13 in Seattle for our fall Clean & Affordable Energy Conference! Hear the latest on energy issues in our region and learn from peers’ experiences within the clean energy transition in a tabletop discussion. Expert panelists will discuss how to support energy affordability as we make needed investments and upgrades to decarbonize our economy, the successes and opportunities in advancing Tribal energy projects, and the movement to connect the West in an independently governed energy market including the “hot off the press” new Pathways Initiative governance proposal to be released in early November.
Stick around afterwards for our Clean Energy Awards Reception from 5 PM – 7 PM at the HUB.
Members of the Coalition are encouraged to attend our Member Meeting the day before, Tuesday, November 12, at the Smart Buildings Center from 3 PM – 5 PM. Stay that evening for a Members Reception from 5 PM – 6:30 PM.
Thank you to our sponsors
Schedule for the day:
9:05 – 9:10: Welcome and Opening Remarks by Dawn Lindell, CEO of Seattle City Light
9:25 – 10:45: Panel 1 – Energy Affordability in the Time of Decarbonization
11:05 – 12:25: Panel 2 – Tribal Energy Development in the Northwest
12:25 – 1:30: Lunch
1:30 – 1:50: Election Recap
1:50 – 3:10 Table Top Discussion
3:30 – 4:50: Panel 3 – A New Era for Electricity Markets in the West
5:00 – 7:00: Clean Energy Awards Reception
Panel 1: Energy Affordability in the Time of Decarbonization
Electricity affordability is at risk just as widespread electrification is underway to decarbonize our economy. Near-term power rates are going up as utilities ramp up investments in distribution system infrastructure, wildfire mitigation, new clean energy generation, storage, and distributed energy resources to meet increased demand, and establish rate discounts. This panel will explore how we can manage rate impacts and protect highly impacted and vulnerable communities, while making the necessary investments to achieve a clean energy transition.
Moderator: Alessandra de la Torre, NW Energy Coalition
- Jennifer Hill-Hart, Oregon Citizen Utilities Board
- John Hoffman, Snohomish PUD
- Michelle Scala, Oregon Public Utilities Commission
- Shaylee Stokes, The Energy Project
Panel 2: Tribal Energy Development in the Northwest
Many Northwest Tribal Nations are developing their own clean energy projects, including solar, storage, energy efficiency, and wind projects. There is increased access to grants, financing and technical assistance from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additionally, there are new federal commitments to invest in Tribal energy projects that lay the path to replace the services of the Lower Snake River dams. This panel will discuss the successes of projects already underway and explore opportunities to further advance Tribal-led energy development.
Moderator: Nancy Hirsh, NW Energy Coalition
- Chas Jones, PICEA Group
- Eriq Acosta, Spark Northwest
Fall Conference Tabletop Discussion
Attendees will participate in interactive small group discussions about addressing climate impacts on communities (including salmon, wildfires and access to water), advancing an equitable clean energy transition, and maintaining affordable and reliable energy, water and housing services are increasingly challenging and overlapping goals (and at odds). We will need to break down silos as we develop and implement solutions and address the intersectional nature of these goals.
Panel 3: A New Era for Electricity Markets in the West
A connected Western electricity market will deliver numerous benefits: increased efficiency in using resources, cost savings, and unlocking and sharing the abundant clean energy resource potential throughout the West. Success hinges on creating a market governance structure that works for all states, utilities, and market participants. This panel will discuss the latest efforts to achieve a new governance structure that opens the opportunity for a unified Western energy market, and the implications for utility customers throughout the region.
Moderator: Ben Otto, NW Energy Coalition
- Pam Sporborg, Portland General Electric
- Mary Wiencke , Public Generating Pool
- Laura Hersch, FERC
Please join us after the conference for our Clean Energy Awards Reception!
There will be food and beverages and our annual award ceremony from 5 – 7 PM. This year, we present awards to:
Conservation Eagle Award: Ralph Cavanagh, NW Energy Coalition founder
Headwaters Award: Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center
Emerging Clean Energy Leader Award: John Seng, Spark Northwest
Doug Still Award: Ruth Sawyer, Sierra Club
Scholarship and volunteer opportunities are available, email jill@nwenergy.org for more information.