1:45 - 3:45 p.m. 

Oil is the lifeblood of North America's transportation system and petrochemical industry. What factors should guide the future of oil production and exploration, including North American supply and demand, emission and environmental management strategies, and new technologies? What steps can be taken to ensure reliable supplies of oil into the future?

Invited Panelists

• Murray Smith, Energy Minister, Province of Alberta
• Kevin O. Meyers, President, ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc
• Chris Severson-Baker, Director Energy Watch Program, Pembina Institute
• Marcos Ramirez, General Director, PEMEX Gas (Petróleos Mexicanos)
• Jason Shogren, Professor, University of Wyoming

1:45 - 3:45 p.m. 

In many parts of North America, petroleum product prices are reaching record levels. High prices and an aging petroleum refining and pipeline system challenge the continent's ability to meet petroleum demand. A gasoline pipeline break in Washington State led to deaths. A decaying product pipeline in Arizona led to gasoline shortages and price shocks last summer. Tight refining capacity has resulted in price spikes when fuel requirements change or refinery accidents occur. What can be done to mitigate the impact of high prices? What is needed to upgrade our petroleum pipeline system? How can the detrimental impacts of tight refining capacity be mitigated (e.g., new refineries, expanded product imports)? How can we ensure the security of our refining and distribution system?

Invited Panelists

• Jim Boyd, Commissioner, California Energy Commission
• Guy Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information Agency, DOE
• Lynette Evans, Policy Advisor for Regulatory Affairs, Office of Governor Janet Napolitano
• David Friedman, Research Director, Clean Vehicles Program, Union of Concerned Scientists

1:45 - 3:45 p.m.

Natural gas has become the fuel of choice for electricity generation, resulting in rapidly increased demand that has more than doubled the price of gas in the last few years. What factors should guide the future of natural gas production and exploration, including North American supply and demand, emission and environmental management strategies, and new technologies? What steps can be taken to ensure reliable, affordable supplies of natural gas into the future?

Invited Panelists

• Manuel Garcia, Energy and Infrastructure Projects Executive Officer, Secretariat of Economic Development, Baja California
• Kent Wells, Vice President, BP America
• Bob Zahradnik, Director of Operations, Southern Ute Growth Fund
• Karen Campbell, Staff Attorney, West Coast Environmental Law
• John Carruthers, VP Northern Development, Enbridge Corp.

4:00 - 6:00

High-efficiency gas turbine technologies, low natural gas prices, low emissions and relative ease in siting power plants made natural gas the fuel of choice for electricity generation in the late 1990s and early 2000's. The net result was an upsurge in natural gas demand. Since then natural gas prices have doubled or tripled stressing traditional users of gas for home heating, fertilizer production, and industrial processes. New concerns have arisen about the how much reliance should be placed on natural gas for electricity generation. The price of natural gas will determine the future of much of North America's energy system. Will gas prices of $6-$7 per million Btu or more be the norm or will reduced demand, LNG imports, arctic gas, and new North American resources (e.g., Rockies, coal-bed methane, offshore gas, methane hydrates) cap natural gas prices?

Invited Panelists

• Bob Card, Undersecretary for Energy and Science, DOE
• Ralph Cavanagh, Energy Program Director, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Bill Jewell, International VP for Energy, Dow Chemical
• Peter Dea, President and CEO, Western Gas Resources
• The Honorable Jim Whitaker, Mayor, North Star Borough; Alaska Gasline Port Authority

1:45-3:45 p.m.

Numerous studies have demonstrated a vast untapped potential to improve the efficiency with which energy is used in North America. Why are cost-effective energy efficiency investments not being made (e.g., lack of capital, inadequate price signals to consumers, production and consumption subsidies, failure to internalize the full costs of energy use, too much hassle for the payback)? How much money can be saved from improving energy efficiency? Can markets induce the desired level of energy efficiency investments? What, if any, government action is required to mitigate market imperfections and induce more investment in efficiency? How can we attain 20 percent greater energy efficiency by 2020?

Invited Panelists

• Jose Luis Ibarra, Coordinator General, Chihuahua State Commission for Energy Savings, Mexico
• Joe Kaveski, VP Energy Management Services, Johnson Controls Inc.
• Sheryl Carter, Director of Western Energy Program, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Bev Van Ruyven, Senior VP for Distribution, BC Hydro (Power Smart)
• Jack McGowan, Vice President, Energy Control Inc.

Session 6

4:00 - 6 p.m.

Western North America has the best geothermal, wind and solar resources on the continent. While the cost for renewable energy is dropping, it remains above market prices in many cases. In other parts of the world, renewable energy development is helping to drive down prices. What actions -- changes in utility operating practices, access to capital, new transmission or energy storage options -- are needed to capitalize on those renewable technologies, such as wind, that currently are cost-competitive? What actions are needed to lower the cost of promising technologies? What opportunities exist for collaboration across international and sub-national borders? How can we attain 20,000 Megawatts of clean energy by 2020?

Invited Panelists

• Stan Bull, Associate Director for Science and Technology, National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
• David Lester, Executive Director, Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT)
• Arjun Makhijani, President, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
• Chet Farris, President of Shell Solar, Solar Energy Industries Association
• Terry Hudgens, CEO, PacifiCorp Power Marketing

Session 7

4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in North America. In addition, the price of coal is stable and relatively low. New technologies are emerging that make coal-burning plants substantially cleaner. How can we take advantage of this resource while protecting the environment?

Invited Panelists

• Mark R. Maddox; Acting Assistant Secretary, U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy
• Mark Davies, President, Kennecott Energy
• Vickie Patton, Senior Attorney, Environmental Defense
• John Corra, Director, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
• Alan Johnson, Managing Director and CEO, ZECA

1:45 - 3:45 p.m.

Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases are rising and are projected to increase. Failure to take appropriate actions to address global climate change risks economic, environmental and societal damage. At the same time, the costs for stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions are, and will be, substantial. The energy industry can be profitably involved in strategies to hedge against global climate change. What prudent strategies should North America pursue that are consistent with efforts to develop cost-effective alternative energy sources and more efficient use of energy?

Invited Panelists

• The Honorable Joe Handley, Premier, Northwest Territories
• Dave Conover, Director, Climate Change Technology Program, U.S. DOE
• Adrian Fernandez, General Director, National Institute of Ecology-Mexico
• Alan Nogee, Clean Energy Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
• Charles Christopher, Project Manager, CO2 Management, BP
• John Thompson, Advocacy Coordinator, Clean Air Task Force

Session 9

1:45 - 3:45 p.m.

The cascading power outages in the Eastern Interconnection in August, 2003, and in the Western Interconnection in July and August 1996 highlighted the dependence of the economy and our citizens on a reliable transmission system. What lessons should be learned from these outages and what actions are needed to reduce the chances for future cascading outages? Are there more efficient ways to use the transmission system to promote competitive markets while assuring reliable and affordable electricity supplies?

Invited Panelists

• Pat Wood, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• Patricia Madrid, NM Attorney General
• Jimmy Glotfelty, Director, Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution, U.S. DOE
• Jeff Sterba, CEO, Public Service Company of New Mexico
• Steve Ellenbecker, Energy Policy Advisor, Wyoming
• Ken Peterson, President & CEO, Powerex
• Bill Kersting, Professor, NM State University

Session 10

1:45 - 3:45 p.m. 

Whether new transmission is required largely depends on the fuel used to generate electricity. Because natural gas-fired generation, and particularly gas-fired distributed generation, can be located at or near population centers it requires little new transmission. On the other hand, coal and many high quality renewable resources are best located in more remote areas, requiring significant new transmission. What are the benefits and risks associated with alternative fuel choices (e.g., price volatility, emissions, potential future carbon constraints, vulnerability to terrorism)? In what ways should the transmission grid be developed to accommodate unforeseen changes in fuel prices, emission controls and terrorist attacks?

Invited Panelists

• Linda Lovejoy, Commissioner, NM PUC
• Jerry Vaninetti, President, Great Northern Power Development
• John Nielson, Energy Program Director, Western Resource Advocates
• Kellan Fluckiger, Executive Director, Alberta Department of Energy
• Jim Caldwell, Policy Director, American Wind Energy Association
• Steve Gillette, Director of Business Development, Capstone Turbine Corp.

Session 11

1:45 - 3:45 p.m. 

Historically, utilities serving customers developed their own generating resources and implemented their own energy efficiency programs and relied on cost recovery from regulators. This is no longer typical in places where customers have retail choice. Even where monopoly utilities provide service to end use customers, competitive procurement of new generating and demand-side resources is becoming more common. New technology options, such a consumer-based generation and real-time demand response programs, present new resource possibilities. Determining how many generating resources and demand-side resources to acquire and establishing processes to acquire such resources have become controversial. What tools or policies are best for acquiring new resources for utilities serving end use customers? What regulatory oversight and cost recovery procedures change?

Invited Panelists

• Marsha Smith, Commissioner, Idaho Public Utilities Commission
• Peggy Fowler, CEO and President, Portland General Electric
• Larry Blank, Professor of Economics, NMSU
• Steve Schleimer, Director of Market and Regulatory Affairs, Calpine
• Scott Willensky, Executive Director for State Government Affairs, Xcel Energy

Session 12

1:45 - 3:45

Public power is the dominant electricity supplier in Mexico, several Canadian provinces, and many parts of the United States. Public power entities range from national utilities (CFE), to rural electric cooperatives. Often public power entities are exempt from regulatory requirements and public policy goals set for investor-owned utilities. In some cases, such as rural cooperatives and generation and transmission cooperatives, energy conservation and supply decisions are in separate organizations. How can public power entities contribute to larger public policy goals?

Invited Panelists

• Suedeen Kelly, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• The Honorable Karen Fraser, Washington State Senator
• Richard H. Silverman, General Manager, Salt River Project
• Luis Reyes, Jr., General Manager, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative
• Ed Marston, former editor of High Country News

Session 13

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

The increasingly integrated North American energy system has provided benefits to our citizens and economy by capitalizing on lower cost, secure supplies. The impacts of energy production, transportation and use frequently cross state, provincial, tribal and international boundaries. Where are there opportunities for cooperative action on laws and policies across state, tribal and international borders that will advance the goal of secure and affordable energy supplies for North America in an environmentally responsible manner?

Invited Panelists

• The Honorable Jeffrey Jones, Senador de Mexico 
• Vincent DeVito, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy and International Affairs, DOE
• David Crane, Reporter, Toronto Star
• Carlos Rincon, Air Quality Project Director, Environmental Defense
• Gary Huffbauer, Reginald Jones Senior Fellow, Institute for International Economics

Session 14

1:45-3:45 p.m.

Although critical to the North American economy, energy development can also result in damage to environmental resources. What can we learn from existing efforts to protect water, wildlife and traditional uses of the land, while allowing energy development to proceed? What technologies, systems, principles and agreements should be considered by developers and policymakers to mitigate harm to the environment?

Invited Panelists

• Dave Porter, Chairman, Kaska-Dineh Council
• Bob Anderson, BLM Assistant Director for Energy, Realty, and Resource Protection
• Carlos Yruretagoyena, International Sonoran Desert Alliance
• Van Whitfield, Senior VP for Western Operations, CDX Gas
• Terry Riley, Policy Director, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

Session 15

4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 

Investment is needed to improve the efficiency of the continent's energy-consuming infrastructure and to modernize and develop new energy production and transportation infrastructure. Where are the most pressing needs and what policies would support or ensure timely investments in North America's energy infrastructure?

Session 16

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Hydrogen offers great potential as a clean-burning, abundant fuel. What steps are necessary to develop a hydrogen economy in North America? What research and deployment activities will reduce fuel production costs and encourage the use of fuels other than natural gas? What research and deployment activities will help develop a hydrogen distribution system and fuel cell technology?

Invited Panelists

• Dave Garman, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, U.S. DOE
• Lewis Milford, President, Clean Energy Group
• Byron McCormick, Executive Director for Fuel Cell Activities, GM
• Ken Stroh, Program Manager for Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Transportation Programs, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Session 17

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

No new nuclear reactors have been built in North America in almost 20 years and its future remains uncertain. Many reactors have been shutdown but others have extended their useful lives. While nuclear power emits no greenhouses gases, long-standing public concerns about safety and waste disposal remain. What contribution should nuclear power make to North America's overall energy needs? What measures would be needed to achieve that goal?

Invited Panelists

• Bill Magwood, Director Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, DOE
• Tom Cochran, Director Nuclear Program, NRDC
• Gerald Grandey, President and CEO, Cameco
• Dave Christian, Senior VP, Dominion Generation
• Ernie Moniz, Professor, MIT

Session 18

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Since 9/11 there are increasing concerns about the vulnerability to sabotage of energy infrastructure, such as the transmission system, power plants, oil and gas pipelines, refineries, and LNG terminals, the control systems to operate energy systems; and the interconnections between energy systems (e.g., blackouts shutting down gasoline distribution facilities) . There is concern about the vulnerability of the infrastructure to attack and the time and cost of recovering from an attack. What actions are being taken to assess the vulnerability of the North American energy system, where practical hardening the infrastructure and preparing to recover from an attack.

Invited Panelists

• Alex DeAlvarez, Director of our Homeland Security, U.S. DOE
• Paul Robinson, President and Laboratories Director, Sandia National Laboratory 
• Kurt Yeager, President and CEO, EPRI
• Dave Redman, Acting Executive Director, Alberta Disaster Services
• Dan Lopez, President, NM Tech