Energy Issues Summit (Cooperatives)

Description

ENERGY ISSUES SUMMIT
August 9-10, 2023 (W 7:30-4:30, Th 7:00-12:00pm)
Radisson Blue MOA, Bloomington

Pre-conference meetings and training events Mon. Aug. 7 and Tues. Aug. 8, 2023

August 7-8 New Director Orientation
August 8 NRECA BLC  979.1 – The Consumer-Centric Utility

Through the support and embrace of the members, the MREA Energy Issues Summit has evolved into an exclusive environment for electric co-ops in Minnesota and the Midwest region to become informed on key issues, exchange ideas, share experiences, and talk through various co-op strategies. Co-op directors, CEOs and staff come to the Summit to learn how to address a swarm of new challenges in the energy industry that are evolving our co-op business, changing member expectations and causing regulatory models to adapt. As the agenda is formed, details will be added here.

Agenda subject to change

Wednesday, August 9

7:30       Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00       Welcome – Darrick Moe, MREA

8:10       Power System Reliability in a Rapidly Evolving Industry – Mark Lauby, NERC

9:00       Rise Above Chaos Keynote – Erick Rheam, Team Rheam Productions, Inc.

10:00     Preparing for Minnesota's New Cannabis Law – Penelope Phillips, Felhaber

10:30     Preparing for Minnesota's new Paid Family Leave Law – Abbie Thurmes, Pemberton Law

11:00     Break

11:15     Breakout Session 1

• Continuing the Discussion - Impacts of Cannabis – Penelope Phillips, Felhaber
• Minnesota's Cooperatives - Creating Better Ways
                 Moderator: Joe Miller, MREA
                 Panelists:  Al Haman, Runestone Electric,
                                  Andy Olson, East Central Energy                                                                                                                                       Jason Nowland, Exactor, Inc                          
                                  Ryan Fedie, MN Valley Electric Co-op
    
• Women in Leadership with Minnesota's Cooperatives
                 Moderator: Jenny Glumack, MREA
                 Panelists:  Linda Laitala, East Central Energy
                                  Gwen Stevens, People’s Energy Cooperative
                                  Stephanie Johnson, Red Lake Electric Cooperative, Inc.

12:15     Lunch

1:00       Breakout Session 2

• Preparing for MN's new Paid Family Leave Law – Abbie Thurmes, Pemberton Law
• Worst 24 Hours - Dealing with Serious Safety Event
                 Moderator: Mark Bakk, Lake Country Power
                 Panelists: Brad Dolinski, North Itasca Electric Co-op, Inc.
                                  Larry Salmela, North Itasca Electric Co-op, Inc.
                                  Anthony Lenz, MREA
                                  Susan Larson, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative
                                  George Madden, Federated Rural Electric Association

2:00        Break

2:15        Broad Implications of the 2040 Carbon Free Bill and Related Policies 

                              Moderator: Mark Lauby, NERC; 

                              Panelists: Julie Lucas, Mining Minnesota

                                               Kevin Pranis, Liuna

3:00        Minnesota G&Ts Resource Planning in light of the 2040 Carbon Free Bill

                               Moderator: Dan Lipschultz, MREA

                               Panelists: Zac Ruzycki, Great River Energy; 

                                               Todd Sailer, Minnkota Power Cooperative

3:45        Solar Flare Impacts on the Power Grid – Shawn Dahl, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

4:30        MN Cooperative Legislator of the Year Award

4:45        Adjourn

5:00        Reception & Tradeshow

Thursday, August 10

7:00        Breakfast

8:00        Welcome Day 2 – Darrick Moe, MREA

8:05        Federal Grant Funding Accelerating Innovation at MN Cooperatives

                                  Moderators: Kristi Robinson, STAR Energy and Maria Lauck, Power System Engineering; 
                      Panelists: Greg Ridderbusch, Connexus Energy; 
                                      Jenny Stryn, Agralite Electric Cooperative; 
                                      John Twiest, Arrowhead Cooperative, Inc.

9:15        The Power of One – Tony Anderson, NRECA Board Chair

10:00      Break

10:15      MN Department of Commerce Connecting Cooperatives with Federal Funding Opportunities - Pete Wyckoff, MNDOC, Assistant Commissioner

10:45      MN's Auto Dealers and the EV Transition – Steve Nisbet, MN Automobile Dealers Association

11:15      Cooperatives Plugging into the EV Market 
                                       Moderator: Steve Nisbet, MN Automobile Dealers Association;  
                                       Panelists: Rich Macke, Power System Engineering; 
                                                       Jeff Springer, Dairyland Power Cooperative; 
                                                       Annette Kuyper, Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association

12:00      Adjourn – Wes Waller, MREA Board Chair

COST   
In Person
Both days $581/$681
Day 1 only $309
Day 2 only $249   

Guests
$175

Livestream (we need to meet a minimum registration of 15 to provide the livestream option)
$349

HOTEL
Radisson Blu MOA
2100 Killebrew Dr.
Bloomington, MN
MREA Room rate $169
Booking online Access the Booking Window on our Main Webpage and use the Promotional Code MREA23
Or call 1-800-333-3333 and ask for the 2023 Energy Issues Summit Room Block

EVENT POLICIES

MREA EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT (LINK TO FULL POLICY)

MREA is committed to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all participants and staff in MREA meetings, conferences, training programs, and events both online and in-person. All Event participants including but not limited to attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, students, guests and vendors, are expected to abide by this MREA Event Code of Conduct, and this code applies to all space and situations in which MREA meeting-related activities are being conducted, including virtual meetings and those sponsored by organizations other than MREA but held in conjunction with MREA Events. Participation constitutes agreement to comply with the Code of Conduct as a condition of attendance. 

2023 LATE REGISTRATION
All events in 2023 will be subject to a $50 late registration fee for anyone that registers less than 2 weeks prior to the published event dates.