Wednesday, June 12
Opening Plenary
Welcome
Join our Executive Director Maggie Molina as she kicks off NEEP Summit 2024 | It's Go Time! with help from some New Jersey leaders. This fast paced session will set the tone for the day and our entire program.
Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Maggie Molina, Executive Director, NEEP
Plenary Panel
Accelerating Community Climate Progress with Federal Funds
As the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) near the two-year mark, federal agencies are now beginning to role out significant new programs to invest in building energy efficiency and decarbonization. What are the latest updates from federal agencies on these programs, including the Department of Energy's Home Energy Rebates programs and the Environmental Protection Agency's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and Community Change Grants? How do federal leaders envision these programs interacting and how can they be leveraged to transform building decarbonization? And most importantly, how will these programs work together to invest in community benefits and environmental justice and realize Justice40 goals? The session will highlight timely, actionable information and opportunities for states, local governments, green banks, utilities, and communities to participate in market-transforming decarbonization and energy justice initiatives. The plenary panelists will feature leaders from federal agencies such as EPA, DOE, and HUD.
Facilitator
Maggie Molina, Executive Director, NEEP
Panelists
Anhthu Hoang, Acting Director of Environmental Justice Community Engagement and Environmental Review Division, US Environmental Protection Agency
Mike Li, Deputy Director for Community Energy Programs (SCEP), US Department of Energy
Justin Scheid, Director of New Jersey Field Office, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Thursday, June 13
Day Two Plenary Panel
Utility of the Future: Decarbonization Edition
Utilities must play a critical role in decarbonizing the economy and future-proofing energy systems for climate resilience for the US to be a leader on climate mitigation and adaptation. Leading regulators recognize the need for utility customer energy efficiency programs to evolve to advance building decarbonization. This panel will feature a diverse group of unique perspectives from electric and gas utilities and regulatory/consumer advocates exploring important emerging policy questions including:
- How can long-standing energy efficiency policies for utilities evolve to encourage both efficiency and cost-effective building decarbonization?
- How can we ensure utilities invest in core energy efficiency strategies and look to buildings as a grid flexible resource?
- How can regulators optimize rate designs to support equitable outcomes for households that adopt heat pumps?
- What are cost implications for the future of gas distribution systems as more buildings electrify? How can targeted community/neighborhood solutions manage these costs?
Facilitator
Marion Gold, Senior Advisor for Electricity, NASEO and NEEP Board President
Panelists
Alexander Buell, Director of Portfolio Planning & Analysis, Con Edison
Susanna Chiu, Senior Director - Operational Services, PSE&G
Luke Surowiec, Director of Building Decarbonization, ICF
Closing Plenary
Unleashing the Power of Community: Elevating Engagement
Centering communities in the development and implementation of programs is a non-negotiable part of many IRA funding opportunities. What does effective community engagement look like? We’ll examine how to build authentic, inclusive, and meaningful community partnerships and uncover missteps in order to develop energy plans, decarbonization strategies, and program proposals.
Panelists
Rose Dady, Director of Community Engagement, US Department of Energy
Maggie Molina, Executive Director, NEEP