Title: WCEA In-person Meeting (Tempe,AZ)
Location: Tempe, AZ
Description: The Western Clean Energy Advocates will meet in Tempe, AZ on September 12 & 13, 2012.

This is not an open meeting, please contact Amanda Ormond or Alicia Healey for information on attending.

Courtyard Marriott Tempe Downtown
601 South Ash Avenue
Tempe, Arizona 85281 USA

AGENDA:

Wednesday, September 12

8:00 – BREAKFAST

8:30 – 10:30

Order 1000 – Post-Filing Deadline Actions
The FERC Project prepared a white paper on minimum compliance for utility Order 1000 filings that is being used as the benchmark to assess the filings.  At the meeting we will review the documents from each of the sub-regions (Columbia Grid, NTTG, CalISO and WestConnect) and discuss if the sub-regions are addressing required areas and those of greatest concern to WCEA organizations.   With the guidance of FERC Project staff we will discuss and develop the process and timeline that we will use to submit comments after the October utility filings. We will also cover desired outcomes for regional coordination.

Julia Prochnik, NRDC – WestConnect & CAISO
Fred Heutte, Northwest Energy Coalition – Columbia Grid & NTTG
Terry Black or John Moore, FERC Project – White paper on minimum compliance
Amanda Ormond, WGG  – Discussion Lead

10:30 – 10:45 – Break

10:45 – 11:30

Changing WECC
The role of Western Electricity Coordinating Committee will change as it responds to findings that it is not meeting its reliability obligations and grapples with how to handle west-wide transmission planning in the future.   We will review board proposals to split into two organizations and other proposed change.  Advocates will debate what structure would serve us best, the methods to advocate for the structure we support and the timeline to take action.

Fred Huette, Northwest Energy Coalition
Ron Lehr, WGG
Bob Anderson, Western Grid Group – Discussion lead

11:30 – 12:15

Opportunities at WGA
WGA Chair, Governor Herbert, has expressed his interest to develop a west-wide energy plan.  This creates an opportunity to put forward our CEV.  We will delve into the potential and determine how state advocates can contribute to build a robust clean energy plan.
Sarah Wright, Utah Clean Energy – Discussion Lead

12:15 -1:45 – Lunch on your own

1:45 – 3:45

Implications of Fracking
Fracked gas is expected to make up 40% of the country’s natural gas supply in the near future. Yet, the implications for and impacts of fracking are not well known.  Advocates need to be prepared with credible arguments and information to reduce the rush to gas.

Katie Elder, Apen Environmental – Non-hyped assessment of fracking
Roger Hamilton, WGG – Discussion Lead

Pre-meeting suggested reading:
• Natural_Gas_LCA_Update_082511 (PDF)
• PNAS-2012-Alvarez-1202407109 (PDF)
• UCAR.edu :Coal to Gas Will Do Little for Global Climate (website)

3:45 – 4:00 – Break

4:00 – 5:00

Institutionalizing Environmental Considerations in Planning Processes 

The recent settlement on Westwide Energy Corridors and the Environmental Data Task Force work products provide opportunities to shape transmission and resource planning processes by starting to include environmental and land considerations.   We will strategize on how and where to change existing processes and review Xcel’s  use of EDTF data.
Pam Eaton, The Wilderness Society – Discussion Lead

 

Thursday, September 13

8:00 – 9:30

Energy Imbalance Market – 1.5 hours
The Western Interstate Energy Board, through its EIM commissioner group, continues to examine and support the development of EIM.  While progress is being made a go/no-go decision point has not been reached.  Advocates will review the agenda for EIM meeting (scheduled for Sept 13 & 14 in Tempe), decide on key points to make at the meeting and divvy up assignments.  We will also share information on the most supportive utilities and develop strategies to push them to act.  (Reference – EIM powerpoint, August, Ravenscroft)
Roger Hamilton, WGG – Discussion Lead

Break 9:30 – 9:45

9:45 – 11:30

DOE/PMA Modernization

Brief update on Western’s expected actions as a result of the customer workshops.
 Updates and Next Steps

RTEP
WCEA

11:30 – Adjourn

1:00 – PUC EIM meeting convenes at Mission Palms Hotel