Critical Issue Forums

Thirteen Critical Issue Forums (CIFs) are planned that offer a full spectrum of vital content. They provide an opportunity for EEI Member Company Executives to offer their thoughts on a variety of topics, while engaging the audience in stimulating dialogue on important industry issues and trends.

Monday, June 16, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

1A.  Top Strategic Issues
This session will review the most important issues facing the electric industry.  A panel of CEOs will react to the list, and discuss which will have the largest impact on their companies, and why. 

Moderator: Brad Kitchens, President and CEO, ScottMadden, Inc. (Confirmed)

Panel:

• Jim Beckett, Executive Vice President, ATCO Electric (Confirmed) 
• Lew Owens, CEO, ETSA Utilities (Australia) (Confirmed)
• Larry Weyers, President & CEO, Integrys Energy Group (Confirmed)
• Bruce Williamson, Chairman, President, & CEO, Dynegy (Confirmed)

1B.  Customer Voices on Energy Management
We will first get some insight into a major study on how customers are changing.  We’ll then hear from national energy consumers as they highlight the programs and efforts they have made to increase efficiency, reduce their energy bills, and procure renewable energy.  They will also offer their thoughts on utility energy management and efficiency programs.

Moderator: Michael Valocchi, IBM (Confirmed) 

Panel:   

• Steve Depalo, National Energy Manager, McDonald’s Corporation (Confirmed)
• John Lembo, Senior Director, Energy, Starwood Hotels & Resorts (Confirmed)

Monday, June 16, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

2A.  Addressing Climate Issues Through Technology 
Many companies are undertaking a variety of efforts to reduce their carbon emissions.  Learn more about these actions, which include investing in alternate generation technologies such as IGCC, ultra-supercritical combustion, fluidized bed technology, nuclear, and renewables.

Moderator: Steve Specker, President & CEO, EPRI (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• Tom Farrell, Chairman, President & CEO, Dominion (Confirmed)
• John Rowe, Chairman, President & CEO, Exelon (Confirmed)
• Steve Snyder, President & CEO, TransAlta (Confirmed)
• Jeff Sterba, Chairman, President & CEO, PNM Resources (Confirmed)

2B.  The Smart Grid – Benefits and Challenges  
What is meant by the Smart Grid?  This panel will answer that question, and have an interactive discussion on the key benefits and challenges companies are experiencing as they implement various elements. 

Moderator: Joe Miller, Senior Vice President, Horizon Energy Group (Confirmed)

Panel:   

• David Cagigal, Chief Information Officer, Alliant Energy (Confirmed)
• Bob Gilligan, General Manager, Transmission & Dist., General Electric (Confirmed)
• Dick Kelly, Chairman, President & CEO, Xcel Energy (Confirmed)
• Tom Standish, President, Regulated Operations, CenterPoint Energy (Confirmed)
• Rick Stevens, Director - Development Strategies, Hydro One Networks (Confirmed)

2C.  The Global Climate Issue:  Impacts on the Workforce 
The Global Climate issue will have a variety of impacts on electric company employment and workforce development, as new skills and positions are needed in renewables, nuclear and other areas.

Moderator: Vance Scott, North America Utilities Practice Leader, A.T. Kearney (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• Paul Bonavia, President, Utilities Group, Xcel Energy (Confirmed)
• Tom Fanning, Chief Operating Officer, Southern Company (Confirmed)
• Tom Goldie, Senior Vice President, Hydro One Networks (Confirmed)
• Curt Hébert, Executive Vice President, Entergy  (Invited)
• Bob Powers, President, AEP Utilities (Confirmed)

Monday, June 16, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

3A.  Building New Generation
Companies are planning and permitting now for the next wave of generation.  Fuel options include coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables.  Which will they choose, and why?

Moderator: Tim Statton, President, Bechtel Power (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• Don Brandt, Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Public Service (Invited)
• Jim Burpee, Executive Vice President, Ontario Power Generation (Confirmed)
• Bill Harvey, Chairman, President & CEO, Alliant Energy (Confirmed)
• Jeff Lyash, President & CEO, Progress Energy Florida (Confirmed)

3B.  Building Transmission for Renewables
As more wind and other renewables are entering the electric grid, there is an increasing need to ensure that sufficient transmission is in place.  What projects are planned, and what are the policy needs?

Moderator: Al Fohrer, Chairman & CEO, Southern California Edison (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• John Bear, President and Chief Operating Officer, Midwest ISO (Confirmed)
• Jane Peverett, President & CEO, BC Transmission Corp. (Confirmed)
• Chuck Shivery, Chairman, President, & CEO, Northeast Utilities (Confirmed)
• Scot Thon, President & CEO, AltaLink (Confirmed)

Tuesday, June 17, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

4A.  CFO Insomnia-- What Keeps Them Up at Night?  
Increased equity volatility, declining value of the dollar, interest rate changes, pending carbon legislation…   this session will feature an interactive discussion of some of the key issues with major financial ramifications.

Moderator: Peter Kind, Managing Director, Bank of America Securities (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• Ben Fowke, Vice President and CFO, Xcel Energy (Confirmed)
• Gordon Gillette, Executive Vice President and CFO, TECO Energy (Invited)
• Matt Hilzinger, Senior Vice President and CFO, Exelon (Invited)
• Mark Snell, Executive Vice President and CFO, Sempra Energy (Invited) 

4B.  Business Models
Today's energy companies face numerous challenges that will only grow in size and complexity.  This panel will explore the evolving business models energy companies are evaluating and implementing, focusing on the rationale behind the company's overall structure and business model, the strategy and decision-making process, and keys to success.

Moderator: Bob Bergbauer, Senior Partner, KPMG (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• Chris Huskilson, President & CEO, Emera (Confirmed)
• Deryk King, Chairman & CEO, Direct Energy (Confirmed)
• Jim Pignatelli, Chairman, president & CEO, UniSource Energy (Confirmed)
• Steve Reynolds, Chairman, President & CEO, Puget Energy (Confirmed)

4C.  Smart House:  The Future of Your Home
A Smart House is a residence that has a computer-controlled automation system, so that all of the electronics have been integrated into each other and the internet.  It is therefore interactive with the user and reactive to its own needs.  How will these options work, and how close are they to reality?

Moderator: Becky Blalock, Senior Vice President and CIO, Southern Company (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• Rich Charles, Senior Vice President, Alliance Data (Confirmed)
• Pat Graham, Chief Information Officer, CenterPoint Energy (Confirmed)
• Scott Lang, President & CEO, Silver Spring Networks  (Confirmed)
• Brian Abrahamson, Senior Director, Pacific Gas & Electric (Confirmed)

Tuesday, June 17, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

5A.  Policies to Promote Electric Infrastructure Development
Even with significant efforts to employ energy efficiency, economic growth will still require new generation plants and transmission lines.  How can public decisions best be made to site and build new facilities? 

Moderator: Robert Gee, President, The Gee Strategies Group (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• Phil Moeller, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Invited)
• Phil Montgomery, Representative, Wisconsin State Legislature (Confirmed)
• Bill Moore, President & CEO, Westar Energy (Invited)
• Michael Yackira, President & CEO, Sierra Pacific Resources (Confirmed)

5B.  Energy Efficiency
As many companies implement new programs relating to electric energy efficiency, how can they ensure they are achieving their full potential?  What impacts might these programs have on leveling load and deferring investments in generation and transmission?

Moderator: Diane Munns, Executive Director, Edison Electric Institute (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• Kevin Burke, Chairman, President & CEO, Consolidated Edison (Confirmed)
• Bob Elton, President & CEO, BC Hydro (Invited)
• Bob Foster, Mayor, City of Long Beach, California (Invited)
• Jim Rogers, Chairman, President & CEO, Duke Energy (Confirmed)
• Dennis Wraase, Chairman & CEO, Pepco Holdings (Confirmed)

5C.  Asia Pacific Partnership
The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate is an innovative effort to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies.  This session will provide background information on the Partnership, and an update on activities and accomplishments. 

Moderator: Jim Hendricks, Principal, Hendricks Consulting (Confirmed)

Panel: 

• John Marrone, Director, CANMET Energy Technology Centre (Confirmed)
• Griff Thompson, Program Manager, Asia-Pacific Partnership, U.S. Dept of State (Confirmed)
• Lloyd Yates, CEO and President, Progress Energy Carolinas (Invited)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, E-MAIL BFARRELL@EEI.ORG

© 2008 Edison Electric Institute