2024 Industry & Policy Workshop Agenda
**Topics and agenda subject to change.
Agenda & Session Details
THURSDAY, SEPT. 19th
10:00-12:00 – Texas Energy Code Compliance Collaborative (TECCC) Meeting & SPEER Board Meeting
12:00-1:00 – Lunch (*Sponsored by TEESI)
1:00-1:30 – Status of the State Energy Conservation Office and IRA Funding
→ Eddy Trevino, Director, SECO
1:30-2:15 – Shifting Demand: The Power of Energy Efficient Policies & Residential Demand Response
→ Senator Nathan Johnson, District 16, Texas Senate
→ Robert Cavazos, Manager of EE Consumer Programs, AEP Texas
→ Matthew Boms, Executive Director, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance
→ Ramya Ramaswamy, Director of Energy Efficiency, PUCT
Texas peak demand is estimated to almost double by 2030, due to residential heating and cooling needs, AI and cryptocurrency mining businesses, and electrification across industries. The Texas Legislature and PUCT have worked to address this growing load through incentivizing generation resources, however there is tremendous opportunity for demand resources to help Texas keep the power on and save residents money. In recent years, both the Legislature and PUCT have considered changes to existing energy efficiency and demand response programs. Our experts will review this potential for energy efficiency, demand response, and the suite of demand-side resource policies to help build a more resilient, reliable grid in Texas. Join us as we discuss.
2:15-3:00 – Heat Pumps: EER Requirements and its Impact on Heat Pump Adoption
→ Jonathan Moscatello, Utility Relations Manager, Daikin
→ Kevin DeMaster, Sr. Business Development Manager, LG Electronics
→ Will Lange, Director of Utility Engagement, WaterFurnace
→ Dianna Cacko, Area Sales Manager, Mitsubishi Electric
Our region’s peak energy demand is currently driven by residential and small commercial heating and cooling. New advancements for heat pumps, including variable speed systems, may provide necessary energy reductions during the hottest summer days and coldest winter nights. However, adoption in Texas and Oklahoma is not where it needs to be yet to effectively reduce peak demand. With federal and state incentives available and additional funds from the IRA likely in both states, our experts will discuss the benefits of heat pump technology to our region, review existing EER requirements and their impacts, and look forward to the opportunities for heat pump adoption.
3:00-3:20 – Break (*Sponsored by Ameresco)
3:20-4:00 – Oklahoma Efficiency Policies
→ Sarah Terry-Cobo, Associate Planner, City of OK City | Office of Sustainability
→ Kylah McNabb, Principal, Vesta Strategic Solutions
Oklahoma’s efficiency landscape is changing rapidly. The Legislature wrapped up the 59th session in May, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission passed rule changes to the efficiency programs, and IRA funding is on the way to boost the state’s energy resources. Sustainability planning, code adoption, and demand resources offer potential for building resiliency in the state. Our experts will lend their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for Oklahoma as it navigates implementation of IRA programs like CPRG, and development and/or continuation of local sustainability and efficiency policies.
4:00-4:45 – Understanding the Economic Impact of Renewable Energy on the Grid, Consumers and Landowners
→ Judd Messer, Vice President, Texas Advanced Power Alliance
→ Mark Stover, Executive Director, Texas Solar Power Association
→ Caitlin Smith, Vice President, Jupiter Power
→ Matt Welch, State Director, Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation (CTEI)
Our expert panelists will cover the economic impact of upgrading grid infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy, including costs and potential savings over time, while exploring the potential for consumers to save money through energy efficiency measures and the adoption of renewable energy technologies. They’ll analyze how the shift to renewable energy affects consumer energy prices, both in the short and long term, and examine the regulatory landscape and incentives for renewable energy integration, such as tax credits and subsidies. What are consumer attitudes towards renewable energy and how is education on their benefits driving adoption forward? Join us as we discuss.
5:00-7:00 – Reception & Networking Dinners
(*Reception sponsored by Mitsubishi)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 20th
8:00-8:45 – Community Efficiency Leadership Coalition (CELC) Members-Only Breakfast
SPEER’s Local Government Manager invites you to a CELC member-only breakfast. Come gather with fellow members and step back from the sessions to engage over a cup of coffee. Start the day by discussing future collaboration opportunities, or share where you vacationed this summer! This is a no agenda jamboree. See you there!
8:45-9:45 – Energy Capital Podcast: Discussing the Grid, Reliability, Affordability, & Demand Side Solutions
→ Doug Lewin, President, Stoic Energy
→ Chairman Thomas Gleeson, PUCT
Join Doug Lewin, author of the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter and the host of the Energy Capital Podcast, as he sits down with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Chairman Thomas Gleeson. You won’t want to miss this conversation! Doug will interview Chairman Gleeson and provide comprehensive insights covering topics related to energy efficiency, Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), demand response, and balancing reliability and affordability in the energy sector. Following this discussion there will be time for Q&A from the audience.
9:45-10:30 – Navigating DERs Policy Implementation and VPP Expansion
→ Arushi Sharma Frank, Luminary Strategies
→ Tiffany Wu, Senior Project Manager, TEPRI
As the energy landscape evolves, the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the expansion of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) present both opportunities and challenges for policymakers, utilities, and stakeholders. This panel will delve into the intricacies of policy implementation for DERs and the scaling of VPPs, offering a comprehensive overview of the current regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and market dynamics that shape these transformative trends.
10:30-10:45 – Coffee Break
10:45-11:30 – Gas Efficiency: Future of Gas in the South-central Region and New Energy Efficiency Program Measures
→ Jasmine King-Bush, Manager of Energy Efficiency Programs, ONE Gas
→ Josh Linton, Energy Efficiency Programs, ONE Gas Oklahoma
→ Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President, CenterPoint Energy
As the Texas and Oklahoma region continues to experience growing pains from tremendous expansion, how does gas efficiency work within the broader energy efficiency environment? How can some of the fastest growing areas continue to keep pace, and how do gas utilities view the future of our region and their efficiency plans? Join us for this insightful discussion.
11:30-12:15 – Funding Secured: Next Steps for Utilities and Local Government Agencies Post-IIJA and IRA Grants
→ Marina Badoian-Kriticos, Director of Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs, HARC
→ Susan Alvarez, Director of Environment & Development, NCTCOG
→ Tim Harvey, Customer Renewable Solutions Manager, Austin Energy
→ Teresa Morales, SFA Program Director, Clean Energy Fund of Texas
12:15-1:00 – Working Lunch: Future-Proofing Buildings: The Role of Maximizing Our Building Potential
→ Gary McCoy, Partner/VP of Development, Blink Energy Services
→ Joseph Izaguirre, Building Official, City of Palmview
→ Robert Downing, Owner, RDS Inspection
→ Jason Helm, Owner, Texas Energy Professionals
As both Summer and Winter weather events continue to batter the broader Texas and Oklahoma landscape, what can be done to strengthen our homes and businesses? Are insurance companies on the move OUT of our region? Do lawmakers view these issues as critical? From heatwaves to ice storms, we’ll explore these questions and ways to build resilient communities in Texas and Oklahoma as we navigate the ever-changing built environment.
We can't wait to see you!
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