AGENDA
TUESDAY, MAY 24TH, 2022
The Role of Distributed Energy
8:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast and Exhibitor Booths Open
9:00 AM
Welcome Remarks by Governor Mike Dunleavy
9:15 AM
“The Past, Present and Future of our Energy Systems”
Opening Keynote Presentation by Governor Bill Ritter (Center for the New Energy Economy, Colorado State University)
9:45 AM
Remarks by Governor Rick Perry (VIRTUAL)
10:00 AM
“The Politics of Energy” Executive Leadership Panel Presentation
Moderator: Governor Bill Ritter
- Governor Dunleavy (AK)
- Governor John Bel Edwards (LA) (VIRTUAL)
“The Power of Microgrids” Panel Presentation
Moderator: Gwen Holdmann (ACEP)
- Phil Maker (REMHART, Charles Darwin University)
- Ian Baring-Gould (NREL)
- Peter Lilienthal (ACEP/Circular Solutions)
“The Five Smartest Blocks in the World”
Lunch Presentation by Curt Kirkeby (Avista Utilities)
12:30 PM
Remarks by Secretary Michael Pompeo (VIRTUAL)
1:15 PM
Press Event
Governor Dunleavy and Governor Ritter will be available to press outside
the ballroom at this time.
PIONEERS
“A Global View on Microgrid and Distributed Energy Strategies”
PERSPECTIVES
“The Human Element: Building Capacity in Alaska”
Moderator: Tim Sandstrom
(AEA)
- Adam Low (UAF)
- Chris McConnell (REAP)
- Carrie Bohan (Dept. of Environmental Conservation)
TRAILBLAZERS
“Electrify Everything: It Starts in the Arctic”
Moderator: Ethan Schutt
(Bristol Bay Native Corporation)
- Ingemar Mathiasson (NW Arctic Borough)
- Clay Koplin (Cordova
Electric Cooperative) - To be announced!
Breakout Sessions
PIONEERS
“What are the history, resources, issues and opportunities for Alaska?”
Chris Rose (REAP)
PERSPECTIVES
“Financing the Future”
Moderator: Dan Lauf (NGA)
- Alan Weitzner (AIDEA)
- Bert Hunter (CT Green Bank)
- Gwen Yamamoto Lau (Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority)
TRAILBLAZERS
“Global Microgrid Champions and Community Perspectives in Microgrids”
Moderators: Rick Rocheleau
(HNEI, U. of Hawaii at Manoa)
and Annalise Klein (ACEP)
- Darron Scott (Kodiak Electric Association)
- Dennis Meiners (IES)
- AlexAnna Salmon (Igiugig Village Council)
4:00 PM
“What is the Future of Transportation?”
Moderator: Tim Leach (Launch Alaska)
- Doug Johnson (ORPC)
- Jim Jager (Port of Alaska)
- C. Birk Jones (Sandia National Laboratories)
5:00 PM
Private networking event on the Alaska Railroad *Must RSVP
The Evolving Grid
8:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast and Exhibitor Booths Open
9:00 AM
Remarks by Senator Lisa Murkowski (virtual or recorded)
9:05 AM
To be announced! Keynote Presentation by Bernie Karl (OCCP)
9:45 AM
“Rooftops, the Railbelt, and Rural Alaska: Solar Power in the land of the Midnight Sun”
Panel Presentation
Moderator: Chris Rose (REAP)
Panelists:
- Jenn Miller (Renewable IPP)
- Stephen Trimble (Arctic Solar Ventures Corporation)
- Paul Denholm (NREL)
- Helium ‘Una’ Edwardsen (ANRI)
- Dr. Geri Richmond (U.S DOE)
PIONEERS
“CHP in Alaska – An Honest Triple Play of Cost Savings, Food Security and Emission Reductions”
David Van Holde
(U.S. DOE’s NW Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership)
PERSPECTIVES
“Emerging Energy Storage Solutions”
Moderator: Mariko Shirazi
(ACEP)
- Audun Botterud (Argonne National Laboratory)
- Kevin Davies (Hawaii)
TRAILBLAZERS
“RPS Policy: 20 Years Later”
Moderator: Julie Estey (MEA)
- Tom Plant (Center for the New Energy Economy, Colorado State University)
- Mark Glick (HNEI, U. of Hawaii at Manoa)
12:10 PM
Remarks by Mayor Dave Bronson
“Uniting the Grid” Lunch Presentation
Moderator: Curtis W. Thayer (Alaska Energy Authority)
Panelists:
- Brian Hickey (Chugach Electric Association)
- John Burns (Golden Valley Electric Association)
- Larry Jorgensen (Homer Electric Association)
- Tony Izzo (Matanuska Electric Association)
“Investing in Sustainability” Panel Presentation
Moderator: Christine Resler (ASRC Energy Services, LLC)
- Heather Grahame (NorthWestern Energy)
- Robert Gillam (McKinley Capital)
- Janet Weiss (Former BP Alaska President)
- Luke Saugier (Hilcorp)
“The Abundance of Cook Inlet” Panel Presentation
Moderator: Governor Dunleavy
- Stuart Davies (ORPC)
- Levi Kilcher (NREL)
- Suzanne Settle (CIRI)
- Brad Chastain (AGDC)
- Amanda Kolker (NREL)
4:00 PM
On-site reception / networking event for all attendees
The Future
8:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast and Exhibitor Booths Open
9:00 AM
Remarks by Senator Dan Sullivan (virtual or recorded)
9:05 AM
“The Reality of Climate Change: Implications for Alaska”
Keynote Presentation by Ray Leonard (Linden Energy Holdings)
9:45 AM
“Net Zero by 2050: A Corporate Strategy”
Plenary Presentation by Edwin Makkinga (Enbridge)
10:30 AM
PIONEERS
“Maximizing the Power of Variable Renewables”
Mike Atkinson (Hitachi)
PERSPECTIVES
“Alternative Fuels”
Moderator: Erin Whitney
(ACEP)
- Cato Esperø (ZEEDS)
- Geoff Larson (Alaska Brewing)
- Erin Whitney (ACEP)
TRAILBLAZERS
“Mining In A Net-Zero World”
Moderator: Corri Feige (SOA
Dept. of Natural Resources)
- Sunil Kumar (Kinross Gold)
- Jim Coxon (Northern Star Resources Limited)
- Lance Miller (NANA)
12:00 PM
Lunch Presentation by Tony Seba
PIONEERS
“Scaling up Geothermal: Challenges and Potential for Alaska”
Moderator: Chris Rose (REAP)
Nick Goodman (CYRQ)
PERSPECTIVES
“Dealing with Carbon”
Moderator: To Be Announced!
- Kipp Coddington (University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources)
- Kevin Connors (EERC)
- Justin Freeman (Coffman)
TRAILBLAZERS
“Nuclear’s Role in our Sustainable Future”
Moderator: Gwen Holdmann
(ACEP)
- Bruce McDowell (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
- Marc Nichol (NEI)
- Mike Valore
(Westinghouse) - Cristian Rabiti (USNC)
“Powering Asia From Alaska” Keynote Presentation
Moderator: Ray Leonard (Linden Energy Holdings)
Panelists:
- Frank Richards
- Mead Treadwell
ABOUT THE BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Pioneers:
Spend the hour with recognized experts on an exploration of an emerging technology area. Learn about the most current developments in the field and implications for Alaska and the Arctic. This track is lecture-happy with an opportunity for Q&A.
Perspectives:
This track highlights discussion and Q&A amongst a panel of experts that will explore multiple dimensions of a particular technology or subject matter. Bring your questions and help generate a lively dialogue!
Trailblazers:
Hear directly from the people that are designing, developing and managing some of the most interesting and innovative energy projects on the planet.
Agenda subject to change.
8:00am - 8:10am
8:10am - 9:00am
Plenary Speaker: Building an Empowered Team
Alaska’s Pandemic Response Organization – Lessons Learned
This interactive session will discuss how local jurisdictions, healthcare providers, and others organized to respond to the emergency management challenges of responding to a global public health emergency. The State of Alaska COVID-19 Unified Command will discuss how their organization was built to support local response operations, how resource ordering procedures developed over time, and feedback received by local incident management organizations. Local participants will be asked to discuss their organizations, and lessons learned throughout the pandemic.
9:10am - 10:00am
The Role of the LEPC in Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Planning
LEPC Members will learn how the documents they prepare interact with locally based bulk fuel storage spill planning and how they can better address the emergency needs of bulk fuel spill response. Attendees will better understand the types of spill response plans required for bulk fuel storage facilities and how they interact with the community emergency response plans.
10:10am - 11:00am
Creating and Maintaining Employee Volunteer Responder Teams
11:10am - 12:00pm
Brenda McCain & Talon Boeve
Alaska CERT Teams
12:00pm
8:00am - 8:10am
8:10am - 9:00am
Plenary Speaker: Building an Empowered Team
Alaska’s Pandemic Response Organization – Lessons Learned
This interactive session will discuss how local jurisdictions, healthcare providers, and others organized to respond to the emergency management challenges of responding to a global public health emergency. The State of Alaska COVID-19 Unified Command will discuss how their organization was built to support local response operations, how resource ordering procedures developed over time, and feedback received by local incident management organizations. Local participants will be asked to discuss their organizations, and lessons learned throughout the pandemic.
9:10am - 10:00am
Alaska’s Pandemic Response Organization-Lessons Learned
10:10am - 11:00am
Running a Successful COVID Drive-Up Testing Site
11:10am - 12:00pm
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Lessons Learned
12:00pm
8:00am - 8:10am
8:10am - 9:00am
Plenary Speaker
9:10am - 10:00am
Community Resilience Capacity Metrics for Critical Infrastructure
10:10am - 11:00am
River Watch and APRFC’s River Observer Program
11:10am - 12:00pm
FEMA Region 10 Youth Preparedness Council
12:00pm
8:00am - 8:10am
8:10am - 9:00am
Plenary Speaker
9:10am - 10:00am
Planning for Families with Children in a COVID-19 Environment: Alaska’s Unique Approach
Disaster planning for families is always a challenge, but in a COVID-19 environment it is especially difficult. We will discuss Alaska’s unique approach to this topic and the Circle of Support fillable document that was developed. This planning for families with children document has been translated in seven languages and has been used by other states as a resource for families. We will also discuss planning for families with disabilities and how you can utilize these resources to help families in your communities prepare for disasters.
10:10am - 11:00am
Public Information During a Pandemic
11:10am - 12:00pm
Anchorage School District COVID Response
Jennifer Patronas, Director of Health Services and Ashley Lally, Director of Security & Emergency Preparedness, will discuss the ASD response to the COVID-19 pandemic, topics include:
- Decision to cancel school-sponsored travel in early March
- Decision to cancel school after Spring Break
- PPE distribution to the community
- Logistics of food and tech distribution
- Utilizing ASD nurses as Muni Contact Tracers
- Return to school & COVID Case Tracking
- Vaccination Clinics
12:00pm
8:00am - 12:00am
Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop
The Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop (IPPW) is a meeting that establishes the strategy
and structure for an exercise program, in addition to broader preparedness efforts, while setting
the foundation for the planning, conduct, and evaluation of individual exercises.
Purpose
The purpose of the Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop (IPPW) is to use the guidance
provided by senior leaders to identify and set preparedness priorities and develop a multi-year
schedule of preparedness activities. During the Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop (IPPW), participation from the whole community ensures preparedness activities are included in the program’s priorities.
The 2023 conference was proudly sponsored by:






































