November 6-8, 2016 | Marriott Cornhusker Hotel | Lincoln, NE
Schedule subject to change.
Day 1 | Sunday November 6
2:00 PM-5:00 PM
LES SunShares Community Solar Project Tour-$10 per person
3:00 PM-6:00 PM
Attendee Check-In | Exhibitor Set-Up
Day 2 | Monday November 7
Attendee Check-In| Exhibits Open
7:00 AM-8:15 AM
7:00 AM-8:15 AM
Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Fraser Stryker, PC, LLO
Conference Co-Chairmen’s Welcome
John Hansen, Adam Herink, Dan McGuire
Welcome to Lincoln
Mayor Chris Beutler
Welcome Remarks
David Bracht, Nebraska Department of Energy
8:15 AM-8:45 AM
Senators Panel
Senator Haar, Senator Mello, Senator McCollister, Senator Pansing Brooks, Senator Schilz
Moderator: John Hansen, Nebraska Farmers Union
8:45 AM-9:45 AM
Break Sponsored by Tradewind Energy, Inc.
9:45 AM-10:15 AM
Breakout 1: Wind/Solar Economic Development
Rick Nelson, Custer Public Power
Greg Ptacek, City of Neligh, NE
Moderator: David Rich, NPPD
Breakout 2: LES Solar Program Portfolio: Understanding Rate Implications
Scott Benson, LES
Moderator: Tim Yager, OPPD
10:15 AM-11:15 AM
Luncheon Sponsored by Enerparc
CEO’s Presentation
Kevin Wailes, LES; Pat Pope, NPPD; Tim Burke, OPPD
Moderator: Stephen Bruckner, Fraser Stryker, PC, LLO
11:30 AM-1:00 PM
1:15 PM-2:15 PM
Breakout 1: Operation and Planning of the Electric Grid During Turbulent Times
Casey Cathey, SPP
Moderator: Derek Sunderman, Tradewind Energy, Inc.
Breakout 2: Wind Turbine & Solar Zoning Regulations
Tom Swierczewski, Bluestem Energy Solutions, LLC
Tim Polz, SoCore Energy, LLC
Liz Doerr, Zoning Administrator for Knox & Antelope Counties
Moderator: David Levy, Baird Holm, LLP
2:15 PM-2:45 PM
Break Sponsored by Geronimo Energy
2:45 PM-3:45 PM
Community Solar: Texas Public Power Style
Shannon Wagner, CPS Energy
Moderator: Mike Degan, Kutak Rock, LLP
4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Breakout 1: Renewables Impact on Southwest Power Pool Markets: SPP Market Update
Ron Thompson, NPPD
Erin Cathey, SPP
Moderator: Jennifer Allyn, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power
Breakout 2: Utility-Scale Wind & Solar Technology, Cost & Performance Trends: Nationally & in Nebraska
Mark Bolinger, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Moderator: Dan McGuire, American Corn Growers Foundation
5:30 PM-6:30 PM
Networking & Social Time Sponsored by Husch Blackwell
Day 3 | Tuesday November 8
7:00 AM-8:30 AM
Attendee Check-In | Exhibits Open
7:00 AM -8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Kutak Rock, LLP
8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Rural Agriculture Economy & Effects of Renewables
Tom Budler, BHE Wind, LLC
Ernie Goss, Creighton University
Moderator: David Gardels, Husch Blackwell, LLP
9:30 AM-10:15 AM
Break Sponsored by Stahl, Bernal, Davies, Sewell & Chavarria, LLP
10:15 AM-11:15 AM
Breakout 1: R-Project Update
Thomas Kent, NPPD
Moderator: Mick Baird, Invenergy, LLC
Breakout 2: Wind Energy Workforce, Economic Development & Wind for Schools
Suzanne Tegen, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Jerry Hudgins, UNL
Larry Flowers, G4 Wind, LLC
Moderator: Dan McGuire, American Corn Growers Foundation
11:30 AM-1:00 PM
Luncheon Sponsored by Invenergy, LLC
2016 Dierks-Preister Wind Energy & Solar Power Pioneer Award Recipients
Wind Turbine Sound-Just the Facts
Ryan Callahan, Tech Environmental
Moderator: John Hansen, Nebraska Farmers Union
1:15-2:15 PM
Breakout 1: Bat Research in Nebraska
Zachary Warren, UNL
Michael Whitby, UNL
Moderator: Jeff McPeak, Olsson Associates
Breakout 2: Solar for Farms & Ranches
Jim Jenkins, Rancher
Art Tanderup, Farmer
Moderator: Michael Shonka, Solar Heat & Electric, Inc.
2:30 PM-3:00 PM
Closing Remarks & Participant Feedback
Conference Co-Chairs: John Hansen, Adam Herink, Dan McGuire