Spring 2008 Conference
May 1, 2008
Increasing Longer-Term Stability in Energy Markets
On May 1, 2008, the Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies will sponsor a one-day conference titled “Increasing Longer-Term Stability in Energy Markets,” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, IL. The conference will feature three sessions focusing on
(1) transmission issues in the natural gas and electric industries and points of commonality/distinctions between the two industries;
(2) issues related to incentive-based pricing in the two industries with emphasis on decoupling, and
(3) the problems created by, and solutions to, price volatility in the market for natural gas.
Agenda:
8:45 am Welcome: *David Loomis, Executive Director, Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies
8:50am Opening Remarks: *Hon. Sherman Elliott, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission
9:00 a.m. Session 1: Maintaining Adequate Infrastructure in the Natural Gas and Electric Industries
- Natural gas pipelines: siting and construction issues
- Electric transmission lines: siting and construction issues
- Points of commonality/distinctions between natural gas and electricity
Moderator: *Hon. Charles Box, Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Speakers:
- Doug Collins, Executive Director, ITC Midwest
- Jeff Makholm, Senior Vice President, NERA, Inc.
- Jeff Wright, Deputy Director-Office of Energy Projects, FERC
10:45 a.m. Morning Break
11:00 a.m. Session 2: Facilitating Incentive-Based Pricing in Natural Gas and Electric Markets
- Decoupling: Separating the revenue stream from load versus positive incentives for reducing load
- Facilitating/encouraging energy conservation and energy efficiency
- Relative costs of natural gas and electricity versus renewable/alternative energy sources
Moderator: Hon. Robert Leiberman, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission (Invited)
- Speakers:
- Cynthia Marple, Director, Rates and Regulatory Affairs, American Gas Association
- Russell Feingold, Vice President, EMS Rate and Regulatory Advisory Practice, Black & Veatch
- TBA
12:45 p.m. Lunch
- Lunch Speakers:
- Phil O’Connor, Vice President, Constellation Energy
- Terry Barnich, President, New Paradigm Resources Group
1:45 p.m. Session 3: Managing Price Volatility in Natural Gas Markets
- Macro view–future trends/expectations/mitigation strategies
- Tools to manage price risk
- How domestic gas competes with coal/oil/LNG
- Short-term versus long-term transportation contract issues
- The potential for increased competition among suppliers/pipelines to reduce price volatility
Moderator: *Hon. Lula Ford, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Speakers:
- John Snell, Principal, Risk Management Incorporated
- William Cooper, Executive Director, Center for Liquefied Natural Gas
- Jay Dibble, Director Gas Regulatory, Calpine
3:30 p.m. Close
Speakers and Moderators
- Hon. Charles Box, Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Hon. Sherman Elliott, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Hon. Lula Ford, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Hon. Robert Lieberman, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Doug Collins, Executive Director, ITC Midwest
- Jeff Makholm, Senior Vice President, NERA
- Jeff Wright, Deputy Director-Office of Energy Projects, FERC
- Cynthia Marple, Director, Rates and Regulatory Affairs, American Gas Association
- Russell Feingold, Vice President—EMS Rate and Regulatory Advisory Practice, Black and Veatch
- John Snell, Principal, Risk Management, Inc.
- William Cooper, Executive Director, Center for Liquefied Natural Gas
- Jay Dibble, Director Gas Regulatory, Calpine
- Terry Barnich and Phil O'Connor Lunch Presentation