2024 IRPS Conference

Dimitrios Nikolaou, Executive Director, Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies, Illinois State University

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Energy Sector

Keith J. Benes, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Policy

Equitable Transition, Environmental Justice, and Low-Income Programs

• Ensuring Equity in Access to Reliable and Affordable Energy and Water Services
• Low-Income Assistance Programs: Best Practices and Innovations
• Regulatory Strategies for Mitigating the Impact of Rate Increases on Vulnerable Communities

Moderator:   Commissioner Reddick, Illinois Commerce Commission 

Speakers:      Samira Hanessian, Energy Policy Director, Illinois Environmental Council

Karen Lusson, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center

Jeanine Robinson, Director of Diversity and Community Affairs, Illinois Commerce Commission

Jennifer Schmidt, Senior Program Manager, Illinois Solar for All, Illinois Power Agency

David Wortman, Deputy Director of Community Assistance, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Afternoon Break

Decarbonization and Renewable Energy Integration

• Renewable Energy Access Plan (REAP)
• Accelerating the Transition to Clean Energy: Policy Frameworks and Regulatory Approaches
• Interconnection Challenges and Solutions to Renewable Energy Integration
• Regulatory Incentives for Renewable Energy Deployment and Grid Modernization

Moderator:   Commissioner Scott, Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission

Speakers:      Daniel Gabel, Director of Project and Contract Management, Commonwealth Edison 

Erica Larson, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Market Development, ICF

Peter Millburg, Senior Manager of Regulatory Compliance, Ameren Illinois

Anthony Star, Senior Advisor, Illinois Power Agency

End of Day 1 sessions

Reception

Breakfast

Welcome by German Blanco Lobo, Associate Director, Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies, Illinois State University

Water and PFAS

• Key EPA and State Regulations to Address PFAS in Water
• Protecting Communities from PFAS in Drinking Water
• Water Demand Changes due to Clean Energy Transition
• The Current and Future State of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

Moderator:   Commissioner Paradis, Illinois Commerce Commission

Speakers:       Tatum DeMay, Acting Manager, Division of Public Water Supplies, Illinois Environmental                                Protection Agency

 Brant Fleming, Bureau of Water, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

 Brent O’Neil, Director of Engineering, Illinois American Water

Morning Break

The Role of Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) in a Deregulated Illinois

• Overview of RTO Structure and Operations
• Illinois' Position within MISO and PJM
• Key Challenges and Opportunities for Illinois
• Integration of Renewables and Energy Storage
• RTO and State Policy Alignment

Moderator:   Commissioner McCabe, Illinois Commerce Commission

Speakers:      Stephen Bennett, Senior Manager of Governmental Services, PJM Interconnection 

Mason Emnett, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Constellation

Bob Kuzman, Executive Director of External Affairs, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)

Toba Pearlman, Assistant Director, Policy Division, Illinois Commerce Commission

Kelly Turner, Chief Legal Counsel, Illinois Power Agency

End of Day 2 sessions

End of 2024 IRPS Conference