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Dec. 10, 2017
The Energy Supply Task Force met in Coronado, Calif. on Dec. 10, 2017, in conjunction with NCSL's Capitol Forum.
Task force members explored a range of topics including, global energy trends, responding to natural disasters and the future of microgrids. Task Force members also toured San Diego Gas & Electric’s Energy Innovation Center and UC San Diego's microgrid.
Global Energy Trends
Energy technologies are advancing rapidly, and nations across the globe are pursuing a variety of different technologies and policies. Remaining competitive in this rapidly advancing global energy market, where policy can influence markets and the ability of certain technologies to compete and thrive, is goal of policymakers and industry in states across the nation. This session explored the advancements, policies and programs that are being chosen by global partners and competitors, and what can we learn from their choices.
- Max Dupuy, senior associate, Regulatory Assistance Project | Presentation
Responding to Natural Disasters
Since August, 10 straight Atlantic storms reached hurricane strength—two were Category 5 hurricanes (Irma and Maria) and two were Category 4s (Harvey and Jose). The cumulative damage to Texas, Florida and U.S. territories in the Caribbean—Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—is still being assessed. In addition, wildfires have been razing large parts of the Western U.S., including residential areas in Northern California. These natural disasters continue to demonstrate the importance of creating resilient energy infrastructure. This session examined recent natural disasters, the effects on critical energy infrastructure and what states can do to develop a more robust and reliable energy supply.
- Paula Scalingi, Ph.D., executive drector, Bay Area Center for Regional Disaster Resilience | Presentation
- Tom Ducker, lead for the critical infrastructure protection unit, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services | No Presentation
Wind and Solar Update
Wind and solar installations have continued their rapidly increasing trajectory, outpacing the addition of other types of energy generation in the past couple years. Falling prices, combined supportive policies and consumer demand, have helped drive this growth. What opportunities and challenges lie ahead as states harness larger amounts of these resources and where are they headed in the future? CEOs from the leading national wind and solar associations provided answers to these and other questions.
- Rick Umoff, regulatory counsel and director of state affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association | Presentation
- Susan Williams Sloan, vice president of state policy, American Wind Energy Association | Presentation
Business Meeting
- Brief updates from task force members.
- Discuss grid modernization report.
- Session ideas for future meetings.
The Future of Microgrids
A growing number of communities, hospitals, universities, and businesses are relying on microgrid to provide clean, reliable and efficient power. Microgrids, which can operate autonomously from the larger grid, provide energy security during outages or disasters, increase control over generation resources and can generate cost savings. This session examined the latest technologies, challenges and policy considerations related to the growth of microgrids.
- Heather Sanders, special adviser, California Public Utilities Commission | Presentation
- Tom Bialek, chief engineer, smart grid, San Diego Gas & Electric | Presentation
What to Do with Spent Nuclear Fuel
After decades of contentious debate, there appears to be increasing discussions over to what to do with the nation’s nuclear waste and a renewed interest to reopen Yucca Mountain. Federal agencies, Congress, states and the private sector are considering solutions for the long-term, sustainable management of our nation’s spent nuclear fuel. This session examined recent federal action and what this means for the future of U.S. nuclear waste storage and disposal.
- Brad Sawatzke, chief operating officer and nuclear officer, Energy Northwest | No Presentation
- Rod McCullum, senior director of used fuel and decommissioning, Nuclear Energy Institute | Presentation
Volkswagen Settlement: Opportunities for States
Volkswagen revealed in 2016 that 11 million of its diesel vehicles worldwide (about 500,000 in the U.S.) were equipped with software programmed to skirt clean air rules by only turning on full pollution controls during emissions tests. Volkswagen has agreed to pay $14.7 billion to settle allegations and states may elect to become a beneficiary of these funds. This session looked at the types of projects the settlement funds will be used for and the role stays may play in the disbursement of funds.
- Michael Terreri, fleet projects manager, Center for Sustainable Energy | Presentation
- Karen Mann, senior vice president of programs, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates | Presentation
Dec. 11, 2017
Travel to San Diego Gas & Electric’s Energy Innovation Center
Tour Energy Innovation Center
Task force members visited the Energy Innovation Center, a double LEED platinum facility focusing on smart cities technologies, energy storage and energy efficiency.
Travel to UC San Diego
Tour of UC San Diego’s Microgrid
The university’s microgrid generates approximately 92 percent of the electricity used on campus annually—and is considered one of the world’s most advanced microgrids.
Legislators departed or attended the NCSL Capitol Forum.