Thursday | May 16
Welcome and Introductions
Session Title: Overview of Quebec's Energy Policies
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Speakers: Mrs. Dominique Deschênes, Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector at the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy
The first session was an overview of Quebec's energy policies, including some of how they interact with American energy policies. Mrs. Dominique Deschênes, Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector at the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy discussed how Quebec's energy policy is developed; impacts of wildfires and other disasters on their energy system and policy; challenges around transmission constructions; feasibility planning for nuclear energy, and the province's renewable energy goals.
Session Title: Hydroelectricity in Quebec (Including New York-Quebec Interconnection Line)
Hydro Quebec then joined us to discuss their operations. Hydro Quebec is a government-owned company that provides power to both Canadian residents and U.S. customers. They discussed how they generate and sell electricity, including ratemaking policies; demand management and grid challenges; and policies around how transmission is built. Questions were asked about Hydro Quebec's wind credits, transmission line costs, and environmental assessments for transmission.
Session Title: Legislative Roundtable - Learn About the Energy Issues and Legislation Your Fellow State Legislators Are Working On.
Legislative Roundtable: Legislators had the chance to share energy policy and legislation they or their legislatures are working on. A summary of the major themes/topics of the discussion was provided by Co-Chair Sen. Hansen (CO) to close the discussion; notes are included below:
Electrification efforts, including rooftop solar, community solar, heat pumps, and electric vehicles, are putting pressure on the existing distribution grid, states are working to address these.
Investment in Distribution Grid: There has been significant investment in upgrading the distribution grid. The aim is to enhance the grid's capacity to handle increased demand from electrification initiatives.
Performance-Based Regulation: Discussed strategy of performance-based regulation, focusing on outcomes and efficiency. Sometimes preferred over traditional utility regulation.
Dispatchable Load and Virtual Power Plants: Achieving dispatchable load through the implementation of virtual power plants. Virtual power plants can play a role in balancing the grid and ensuring reliability.
Solar Integration Challenges: There are challenges in integrating different types of solar energy, including community solar, rooftop solar, and utility-scale solar, into the grid. Issues such as cost allocation, cross-subsidies, and regulatory frameworks are being addressed.
Transition from Coal Assets: Efforts are being made to manage the closure or transition of coal assets. Maintaining grid reliability during this transition period is essential. Different states are grappling with various issues related to energy transition and grid modernization. Included topics of solar integration, coal asset transition, and grid reliability during the transition period.
Other topics included community solar, nuclear energy; data centers and energy use, efficiency, and related regulations, and industrial use of energy/water; geothermal energy; wildfire mitigation and disaster preparedness; carbon capture and storage; impact of energy regulations; cost recovery for major energy projects; supply chain issues for energy; hydrogen energy.
Site Visit: Quebec Agglomeration Biomethanation Center (CBAQ)
The ESTF then toured QBAC, a waste-to-energy facility that converts both solid municipal waste and wastewater into renewable gas that is then used to generate electricity. We began with a presentation of how the plant itself operates, including how other solid byproducts are used for topsoil, soil amendments, and other marketable products. The group then toured the facility and saw the steps of the process in action.
Friday | May 17
Session Title: New Nuclear
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Speakers: George Christidis, Vice President Government Relations and International Affairs, Canadian Nuclear Association; Christine Csizmadia, Senior Director, State Government Affairs & Advocacy, Nuclear Energy Institute; Travis Davies, Senior Specialist, Government Affairs at Cenovus Energy | Presentation
Friday began with a presentation on nuclear energy and new nuclear technologies, from NEI, the Canadian Nuclear Association, and Cenovus Energy. They discussed progress on advanced nuclear technologies and updates on nuclear policy and activities in the industry.
Session Title: Canadian Energy Sector Job Challenges and Opportunities
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Speakers: Speakers: Brandon Dyck, Government Affairs Coordinator / International Representative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), First District, Canada; Yoana Turnin, Program Manager, Careers and Education, Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC)
We then heard from IBEW and EHRC to discuss workforce transition and development challenges and opportunities as policymakers work to increase renewable energy deployment and build/support an advanced energy workforce.
Session Title: Joint Session with Military and Veterans Task Force
We then had a joint session with the ESTF and NCSL's Veterans and Military Task Force. Members led a discussion focusing on energy resilience and security near DOD installations and surrounding communities that support the bases. Other topics include the importance of establishing relationships with base leaders; renewable, nuclear, hydrogen, energy storage technology, and other energy strategies on bases; DOD/community collaboration on impacts and mitigation of environmental hazards related to energy resources.