Expert Stakeholder Workshop: Energy and Environmental Developments in the PJM Region

The Great Plains Institute and Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions host an expert workshop for state officials and stakeholders exploring recent energy and environmental policy developments in the PJM region on Wednesday, May 2 in Washington, D.C.

The workshop will feature a panel of state officials from the region evaluating recent PJM market design proposals and decisions and developments in their states. A stakeholder panel will detail recent developments in the electricity industry, including some of the recent commitments by utilities to decarbonize their portfolios. A third panel will explore timely environmental issues impacting states and stakeholders.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Robert F. Powelson will deliver a keynote address.

Video playlist

9:45 AM: Welcome and Workshop Preview
Tim Profeta, Director, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University & Doug Scott, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Great Plains Institute

10:00 AM: Keynote Address
Robert F. Powelson, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

10:45 AM: Recent Developments in PJM Regional Markets
Adam Keech, Executive Director, Market Operations, PJM Interconnection

11:15 AM: States Panel: Developments in PJM States and Perspectives on RTO Proposals
State representatives describe the key developments and issues in environmental and energy policy in their states and reflect on proposals at the RTO level at PJM.

• Moderator: Kate Konschnik, Director, Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
• John R. Rosales, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission and Chair of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI)
• Andrew Place, Vice Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission
• Willie Phillips, Commissioner, District of Columbia Public Service Commission
• Ben Grumbles, Secretary, Maryland Department of Environment
• Burcin Unel, Energy Policy Director, NYU Institute for Policy Integrity

12:45 PM: Lunch Break

1:15 PM: Industry Panel: Trends Among Utilities, Generators and New Market Entrants
Industry representatives will describe recent initiatives in the sector, including commitments to decarbonize generation over time and innovations in power products and services.

• Moderator: Sarah Adair, Duke Energy
• Scott Weaver, Director of Air Quality Services, American Electric Power
• Kathleen Barrón, Senior Vice President, Competitive Market Policy, Exelon Corporation
• Kim Scarborough, Environmental Policy Manager, Public Service Enterprise Group
• Mark Laabs, Managing Director, Modern Energy

2:45 PM: Break

3:15 PM: Expert Panel: At the Cutting Edge of Environmental Issues in the PJM Region
Panelists will explore various issues at the intersection of energy and environmental policy in the region, including the recently passed tax credit for carbon capture and storage, the expansion of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the region, electrification of transportation, and decarbonization generally.

• Moderator: Doug Scott, Vice President, Great Plains Institute
• Erin Burns, Senior Policy Advisor, Clean Energy Program, Third Way
• Michael Dowd, Director, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
• Kyle Danish, Partner, Van Ness Feldman
• Michael Tubman, Manager, Electrify America

4:45 PM: Recap of Day’s Discussion

5:00 PM: Adjourn

Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Robert F. Powelson will deliver a keynote address.

Other confirmed speakers include:

• Kathleen Barron, Senior Vice President, Competitive Market Policy, Exelon Corporation
• Kyle Danish, Partner, Van Ness Feldman
• Michael Dowd, Director, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
• Ben Grumbles, Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland, and Chair of RGGI, Inc.
• Adam Keech, Executive Director, Market Operations, PJM
• Kate Konschnik, Director, Climate and Energy Program, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
• Mark Laabs, Managing Director of Modern Energy
• Willie Phillips, Commissioner, District of Columbia Public Service Commission
• Andrew Place, Vice Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission
• Tim Profeta, Director, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
• John R. Rosales, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission and Chair of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI)
• Kim Scarborough, Public Service Enterprise Group
• Michael Tubman, Manager, Electrify America
• Burcin Unel, Policy Director, New York University School of Law Institute for Policy Integrity
• Scott Weaver, Director of Air Quality Services, American Electric Power