Event Profile

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Who Should Attend:

Power supply professionals; policymakers; general managers and CEOs; and finance, rate, and risk department managers.

Overview:

The NWPPA Power Supply Conference provides the expertise and insight needed to inform power supply decisions. In this new era of dynamic resource options and challenges, managing and planning for power resources and costs have never been more critical to utilities and their consumers. The 2025 Power Supply Conference will educate, encourage discussion, and provide a venue for attendees to share best practices related to current issues and topics important to electric utilities in the West.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow professionals and enhance your understanding of the evolving power supply landscape. Join us at the 2025 Power Supply Conference to prepare yourself and your organization to confidently address the risks and uncertainties in western resource planning.

AGENDA*:

Jan. 28, 2025

5–6:30 p.m. Networking reception 

Attendees of the Power Supply Conference and attendees of Wildfires: What Utilities Need to Know are invited.

Jan. 29, 2025

7:30–8:30 a.m. Registration open, breakfast  

8:30–8:40 a.m. Welcome  

Kurt Miller, CEO & Executive Director, NWPPA

8:40– 10 a.m. Energy Forecasting Crystal Ball: Predicting the Future Power Supply and Demand in the West 

Panelists: Jennifer Light, Director of Power Planning, Northwest Power and Conservation Council; Jason Fuller, Group Leader, Electricity Security, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Matt Zapotocky, Senior Reliability Assessments Engineer, Western Electricity Coordinating Council; Tim Belden, Principal, Energy GPS

Moderator: Crystal Ball, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee

10–10:10 a.m. Break  

10:10–11:10 a.m. Where Do Renewables Go When They Retire? Cradle-to-Grave Considerations for Utilities 

Valerie Barros, Vice President, Origination, BrightNight; Darren Cavanaugh, Senior Manager, Organic Growth, Avangrid; Scott Russell, Senior Advisor, Energy West LLC

11:10 a.m.–11:50 a.m. Short Mountain Methane Power Plant 

Kyle Roadman, General Manager, Emerald People’s Utility District; Rob Currier, Power Resources Manager, Emerald People’s Utility District

11:50 a.m.–12:50 p.m. Lunch 

12:50–2:20 p.m. Powering Up: Public Power Expands Beyond BPA Supply

Panelists: Jessica Matlock, President and CEO, PNGC Power; Bear Prairie, General Manager, Idaho Falls Power; and Greg Cullen, Vice President for Energy Services and Development, Energy Northwest

Moderator: Humaira Falkenberg, Power Resource Manager, Pacific County PUD No. 2

2:20–2:30 p.m. Break 

2:30–3:25 p.m. Trump Card: Power Supply Policy Implications Under the Trump-Vance Administration 

Rick Desimone, Founder and Principal, Desimone Consulting Group; Bryce Yonker, Executive Director and CEO, Grid Forward; and Laura Lewis, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, SMUD

Moderator: Clark Mather, Executive Director, Northwest RiverPartners

3:25–4:20 p.m. Breaking the Bottleneck: Transmission Expansion and Alternatives to Meeting Power Supply Goals 

Ricky Bustamante, Vice President of Transmission System Operations, Bonneville Power Administration; Kurt Conger, Assistant General Manager, Northern Wasco PUD; and Robert Echenrode, General Manager, Umatilla Electric Cooperative

Moderator: Scott Simms, CEO and Executive Director, Public Power Council

4:20–4:30 p.m. Closing remarks 

Kurt Miller, CEO & Executive Director, NWPPA

*Agenda subject to change.

Schedule:

Registration will begin at 7 a.m. Pacific Time, and breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided. 

Location:

Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
8235 NE Airport Way
Portland, OR 97220 
(503) 281-2500

Room Rate: $159
Please book your room as soon as possible, but no later than Jan. 7, 2025, to secure this room rate.

Fees:

Utility Member Early Bird (ends 12/29/2024): $300
Utility Member Standard: $375

Associate Member Early Bird (ends 12/29/2024): $450
Associate Member Standard: $525

Non-Member Early Bird (ends 12/29/2024): $600
Non-Member Standard: $675

Note: Organizations that register a group of employees will receive every fifth registration for free. For example, if you register five employees, you only pay for four; register 10 employees, you only pay for eight; and so on. There is nothing additional you need to do to receive this discount.

Cancellation Policy:

For in-person events: cancellations at least 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund; within 15-29 days there will be a $100 fee; and within 1-14 days or no show, the charge will be 100% of the registration fee. 

When possible, please send a substitute instead of canceling; NWPPA does not charge a fee for substitutions. To request a refund, please contact us at registration@nwppa.org or (360) 254-0109.

Continuing Hours:

This conference qualifies for 6 continuing hours. Certificates are available upon full completion of the conference.