2011 Electric and Natural Gas Conference

Conference Day 1: September 15, 2011
7:30am – 8:00am

Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:00am – 8:10am

Introduction and Welcome

Albert L. Danielsen, Executive Director, University of Georgia

8:10am – 8:35am

Keynote

The Honorable Sam J. Ervin, IV, Judge, The North Carolina Court of Appeals

8:35am – 10:05am

Session #1 — Federal and State Energy Regulatory Jurisdiction

This panel will discuss recent developments in national energy regulatory policy and incentives and attempt to discern what it says about our current national energy policy. This panel will examine regulatory developments at both the federal and state level.

Moderator:
Mack McGuffey, Environmental Attorney, Troutman Sanders

Speakers:

• Carol Kemker, Deputy Director of Air, Pesticides, and Toxics Management Division, US EPA Region 4
• Christopher M. Hobson, Senior Vice President of Research & Environmental Affairs and Chief Environmental Officer, Southern Company
• The Honorable Stan Wise, Commissioner, Georgia Public Service Commission

10:05am – 10:30am

Networking Break

10:30am – 12:00pm

Session #2 — Fuel Choices: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

What are the best fuel choices for power generation, and how is the definition of "best" changing? At one time oil and water power were dominant. Coal has long been a staple. Nuclear moved into the mix, stopped growing and fortified its position, and now may be poised for more growth -- or not. Gas moved into the mix, was pushed out by price controls and legislation and perceived scarcity, and could be on the edge of dominance. This panel looks at the prospects and the relative economics for the three big players in power generation: nuclear, coal, and gas.

Moderator:
Freddy Cardozo, Director of Supply and Structuring, Gas South

Speakers:

• Janice Hager, Integrated Resource Planning and Regulated Analytics, Duke Energy
• Carl H. Haga, Director of Gas Services, Southern Company
• William Marks, General Manager of Resource Planning, TVA
• Jeff Richardson, Director of Major Projects, Uprates Entergy

12:00pm – 1:45pm

Luncheon Speaker and Award Presentations

Presentation of the Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Robert K. (Bob) Koger, President and Executive Director, Advanced Energy

Presentation of the James C. Bonbright Center Honoree Award
John Somerhalder, Chairman, President and CEO, AGL Resources

Speaker:
John Somerhalder, Chairman, President and CEO, AGL Resources

1:45pm – 3:15pm

Session #3 — Getting Energy to the Customer – Expanding the Delivery Infrastructure

As demand for electricity and gas continue to grow, more infrastructure will be needed to get energy from wellheads and power plants to the customer – both at the transmission and distribution levels. New gas production in the eastern U.S. and the rapid development of renewable resources in remote areas of the country will result in changing delivery patterns. And new technology – especially the continuing development of smart grids - will affect the ways in which energy is delivered and used by customers. This session will explore the trends in energy delivery, the uncertainties involved, and barriers that must be overcome to meet our nation's and our region's energy policy goals.

Moderator:
Bruce Edelston, President, Energy Policy Group, LLC

Speakers:

• Steve Pigford, Distribution Manager, Georgia Power Company
• David A. Whiteley, Executive Director, Whiteley BPS Planning Ventures LLC
• Chris Shugart, Director of Development Management, Pattern Energy
• Jack Weixel, Director of Client Services, BENTEK Energy

3:15pm – 3:35pm

Networking Break

3:35pm – 5:05pm

Session #4 — Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Moving America Forward

Alternative fuel vehicles offer a real solution to high gasoline prices, our dependence on foreign oil and carbon emissions. However the path to transitioning Americans to AFVs is not straightforward. A diverse panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges for AFVs including the latest technologies and funding trends.

Moderator:
The Honorable Doug Everett, Commissioner, Georgia Public Service Commission

Speakers:

• Tracy Woodard, Director of Government Affairs, Nissan
• J. Alexander, President and COO, Mansfield Oil
• Brian Hanrahan, Director In-Home Technologies, Florida Power & Light Company
• David C. Weaver, Managing Director for Regulatory Affairs, Marketer Services and Planning, AGL Resources

5:05pm – 6:30pm

Evening Social

Top of Page

Conference Day 2: September 16, 2011
7:30am – 8:15am

Continental Breakfast

8:15am – 8:30am

Recap of Day 1

Albert L. Danielsen, Executive Director, James C. Bonbright Center

8:30am – 9:00am

Keynote

The Honorable Philip D. Moeller, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

9:00am – 10:30am

Session #5 — Prudent Investments Under Uncertainty: The Fukushima Daiichi Effect

The last two years have seen a rise in investments - M&As, new plants coming online, retrofitting older plants, closing older plants. Investments have also been made in new technologies - smart grid, hybrid vehicles to name a few. At the same time demand is lagging due to the recession. Regulatory scrutiny has increased, particularly after the Japanese Nuclear Plants. This also has resulted in increased regulations, both at the Federal and State level, and Compliance and Internal Audit Costs. How should Utilities and Capital Markets react? This roundtable will try to answer.

Moderator:
Nainish Gupta, Founder & CEO, Econalysis, LLC

Speakers:

• Andrew Kosnaski, VP, System Planning, TVA
• Jim Clarkson, President, RSM Energy
• Bryan Batson, Senior Vice President of Governmental & Regulatory Affairs, AGL Resources

10:30am – 11:00am

Networking Break

11:00am – 12:30pm

Session #6 — State Regulatory Reaction Roundtable

State regulatory commissioners will present their views on the issues discussed during previous sessions, with a special emphasis on the principles or criteria they use when assessing alternatives. The panel will field questions from the moderator and audience.

Moderator:
Chip Wright, President, J.A. Wright and Associates

Speakers:

• The Honorable Butch Howard, Chairman, South Carolina
• The Honorable William ‘Bill’ Culpepper, Commissioner, North Carolina
• The Honorable Lauren ‘Bubba’ McDonald, Commissioner, Georgia
• The Honorable Philip D. Moeller, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

12:30pm

Closing Remarks

Top of Page