MADISON, Wis. – The effect of the new federal stimulus on Midwest energy will be a focus of a conference Monday Feb. 23 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center.
The massive new law contains millions of dollars to upgrade and revamp the nation’s energy infrastructure.
And Congressman Tammy Baldwin, Obama environmental adviser Howard Learner, Edison Electric Institute executive David Owens and Alberta Canadian official Gary Mar will be among the experts providing insight on the new landscape emerging from governments in Washington and Madison.
This half-day conference is the second annual energy event organized by WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.
The final event agenda is listed below.
The event is open to the public. Individual tickets cost $75 each. Tables are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of $600. Student discounts also will be available. The ticket price includes food.
For ticket information, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 or greer@wispolitics.com.
Sponsors for this event include Xcel Energy, American Transmission Company, Virchow, Krause & Company, the Wisconsin Petroleum Council, Alliant Energy and Dominion. The government of Canada and Wisconsin Environmental initiative are event partners.
WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com are independent, non-partisan news services based in Madison. Go to www.wispolitics.com and www.wisbusiness.com for more on the services.
EVENT DETAILS
Format: Half-day, with keynote speakers plus breakout sessions.
AGENDA
8 AM – Registration and Breakfast Begins
8:40 AM – Program Begins
**Welcome keynote:
Introduction: Jeff Mayers, president, WisPolitics.com-WisBusiness.com
— U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. She has represented Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District since 1999. As a member of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, she is actively engaged in crafting legislation to address climate change and is the author of the Greenhouse Gas Registry Act, a bill to create a greenhouse gas registry that will serve as a clearinghouse for accurate, comprehensive, consistent and transparent information on greenhouse gas emissions nationwide.
**Morning keynote:
Introduction: Ave Bie, Quarles and Brady partner, former PSC chair.
— David Owens has responsibility over the strategic areas of energy supply and the environment, energy delivery, energy services, and international affairs at the Edison Electric Institute. The group focuses on a broad range of issues that affect the future structure of the industry and new rules in evolving competitive markets. Prior to EEI, Owens served as chief engineer of the Division of Corporate Regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
9:45 AM – Panel Begins
** Session I: Balancing America’s Energy Portfolio
Moderator: Jeff Mayers of WisPolitics.com-WisBusiness.com.
Panelists include:
– Molly Jahn, dean of the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
– Jim Turnure, manager, Environmental Policy, Xcel Energy
– Dan Ebert, vice president of policy and external affairs, WPPI Energy, former PSC Chair
– Eric Callisto, chair of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission
– Tia Nelson, executive secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands and co-chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming
10:45 AM – Panel Concludes, Keynote Begins
** Session Keynote:
Introduction: Ave Bie, Quarles and Brady partner, former PSC chair.
— Gary Mar was appointed in 2007 as the official representative (Minister-Counsellor) of the Province of Alberta to the United States. He leads the Alberta Office in Washington, D.C., co-located in the Canadian Embassy. Prior to his diplomatic posting, Mar served for 14 years as a member of the Legislative Assembly in the Province of Alberta, Canada, winning four consecutive elections in Calgary, Alberta. He held several Cabinet portfolios – Community Development; Health and Wellness; Education; Environment; and International and Intergovernmental Relations.
11:30 AM – Panel Begins
** Session II: The Future of Petroleum
Moderator: Jeff Mayers of WisPolitics.com-WisBusiness.com.
Panelists Include:
– Don Guay, assistant professor at UW-Stevens Point in Paper Science & Engineering
– Joe Martucci, Government and Community Relations, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc.
– Ken England, first secretary for energy at the Canadian Embassy in Washington
– Pete Taglia, staff scientist for Clean Wisconsin
12:30 PM – Luncheon begins
**Luncheon Keynote:
Introduction: Jeff Mayers, president, WisPolitics.com-WisBusiness.com
— Howard Learner has served as an adviser to President-elect Obama on environmental and renewable energy issues. Learner is an experienced attorney serving as president and executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and he’s responsible for the overall strategic policy direction, development and leadership of this regional public interest organization.
1:30 PM – Conference concludes
