2024 Draft Agenda
as of August 14, 2024
Subject to change
EVENTS HELD AT THE CORNHUSKER MARRIOTT HOTEL UNLESS NOTEd
Monday, October 21, 2024
3:00 - 6:00 PM EXHIBITOR SETUP
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
7:00 - 8:00 AM ATTENDEE CHECK-IN | EXHIBITS OPEN
7:00 - 8:00 AM BREAKFAST | SPONSORED BY SANDHILLS ENERGY
8:00 - 8:30 AM pledge of allegiance
Chairman’s Welcome
–John Hansen, Conference Chairman, Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference
Welcome Remarks and State Update
–TBA, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
8:30 – 9:15 AM
A Taste of Things to Come in Nebraska’s Solar Output
Speakers:
–Chris Caswell, Director of Growth & Execution, AES Clean Energy
–Carol Waszak, Manager, Renewable Resources, Omaha Public Power District
Moderator: Courtney Kennedy, VP, Business Development & Strategy, Power Delivery Services
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Using Battery Storage to Meet the Energy Demand
Speakers:
–Molly Brown, VP of Energy Production, GenPro Energy Solutions
–Jon Sunneberg, Utility Scale Alternative Energy Manager, Nebraska Public Power District
Moderator: Heidi Aschbacher Manager, Origination - SPP & ERCOT, Invenergy
10:00 - 10:30 AM Break Sponsored by Invenergy
10:30 – 11:15 AM
Challenges and Solutions in Renewable Energy Project County Permitting Approval
Speakers:
–Christopher Ollson, Ph.D, Ollson Environmental Health Management
–Alan Claus Anderson, J.D., Polsinelli Law Firm, Professor, University of Kansas School of Law
–Hilary Clark, Sr. Director, Siting and Permitting, American Clean Power Association
Moderator: Shelby Ridenour, Client Manager, Olsson
11:15 – 12:00 PM
Essential Synergy: Communities, EPC, Utilities, and Advancements in PV Solar Technology
Description: This panel will present and discuss the impact new PV Solar technology will have
on the Heartland’s renewable energy generation ecosystem. PV Technology advancements
will be presented.
Speakers:
–Simon Wrightson, USA Business Lead, Tenka USA
–Christopher Cook, VP of Development, ISI Solar
–George Gogos, Director, Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR)
Moderator: Drake Becksted, Contracts Administrator/New Business Development, ISI Solar
12:00 - 1:30 PM Keynote Luncheon | SPONSORED BY nextera energy resources
–JC Sandberg, Chief Advocacy Officer, American Clean Power Association
Moderator: TBA, Nelnet Renewable Energy
1:30 - 1:45 PM Break Sponsored by kutak rock
1:45 – 2:30 PM
BREAKOUT A - LANCASTER I:
Scottsbluff Solar Hailstorm Recovery
Speaker:
–Lee DeLange, Chief Administrative Officer, GenPro Energy Resources
Moderator: David Rich, Sustainable Energy Manager, Nebraska Public Power District
BREAKOUT B - LANCASTER IV:
Update on City Climate Plans & State Pollution Reduction Grant
Description: City and State organization representatives will present and answer
questions regarding their respective climate and resilience plans partially or wholly
funded by the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG).
Speakers:
–Randy Smith, Clean Diesel Program Coordinator, NE Department of Environment & Energy
–Marco Floreani, Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development and Development Services,
City of Omaha
Moderator: Will Kirby, Transportation Sustainability Leader, HDR
2:40 – 3:15 PM
BREAKOUT A - LANCASTER I:
A Bright Idea for Solar Development in Rural Communities
Description: Sandhills Energy and NMPP have engaged to build local solar providing low
cost power to small-to-midsize municipalities across Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado. This
panel will present on the strategy, challenges, and successes for the first round of 15 sites
for this initiative.
Speakers:
–Eric Johnson, CEO, Sandhills Energy
–Raki Giannakouros, EVP, Sandhills Energy
Moderator: Brad Hans, Director of Wholesale Electric Operations, NMPP
BREAKOUT B - LANCASTER IV:
Next Generation Nuclear
Speaker:
–Dan Buman, Dir. of Nuclear Oversight & Strategic Asset Mgmt, Nebraska Public Power Dist.
Moderator: Jon Sunneberg, Utility Scale Alternative Energy Mgr, Nebraska Public Power District
3:30 – 4:05 PM
BREAKOUT A - LANCASTER I:
Inflation Reduction Act and Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship
Speakers:
–Eric Moyer, Business Development and Strategy Manager, Nelnet Renewable Energy
–Raj Krishna, Director - Tax Research and Planning, Nelnet Renewable Energy
–Molly Stevens, Analyst, Mickelson & Company
Moderator: David Bracht, Of Counsel, Kutak Rock
BREAKOUT B - LANCASTER IV:
Compliance with National Environmental Policy Act for Federal Funding
Speaker:
–Jennifer Peters, Sr. NEPA Practioner, Terracon
Moderator: Jeremy Hanzlik, National Director, Environmental Planning,Terracon
4:25 – 5:15 PM
Policy and Legislative Update: State Senators Panel
Speakers:
–Senator John Cavanaugh, District 9
–Senator Tom Brandt, District 32
Moderator: John Hansen, Conference Chair, Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference
5:15 - 6:30 PM Reception
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
ATTENDEE CHECK-IN | EXHIBITS OPEN
7:00 AM
BREAKFAST | SPONSORED BY GENPRO ENERGY SOLUTIONS
7:00 - 8:15 AM
8:15 - 9:15 aM
USDA’s Rural Utilities Service Inflation Reduction Act Update
Speaker:
–Chris McLean, Assistant Administrator, Rural Utilities Service Electric Programs
Moderator: John Hansen, Conference Chair/President, Nebraska Farmers Union
9:15 - 10:15 aM
Nebraska BioEconomy is America’s Secret Weapon for Food Security and Energy Independence
Description: What is it, and How Does it Impact Nebraska?
Speaker:
–Julie Bushell, CEO, Ethos Connected and Global Sustainability Developers
Moderator: David Rich, Sustainable Energy Manager, Nebraska Public Power District
10:15 - 10:40 am Break
10:40 - 11:30 aM
SPP: A Look at the Queue and Congestion Issues
Speaker:
–Casey Cathey, Director, System Planning, Southwest Power Pool
Moderator: Jon Sunneberg, Utility Scale Alternative Energy Mgr, Nebraska Public Power District
11:30 - 1:00 PM Keynote Luncheon | SPONSORED BY Nextera Energy Resources
Nebraska Public Power Utilities CEO Luncheon
Speakers:
–Tom Kent, CEO, Nebraska Public Power District
–Javier Fernandez, CEO, Omaha Public Power District
–Emeka Anyanwu, CEO, Lincoln Electric System
Moderator: Troy Meyerson, Partner, Fraser Stryker
1:00 pm Exhibits Tear-Down
1:15 - 2:00 PM
Zoning, Property Rights and Renewable Energy in Nebraska
Speakers:
–Justin Pickar, Senior Director, Origination, National Grid Renewables
–David Levy, Partner, Baird Holm
Moderator: Dustin Marvel, Government & Community Relations Manager, Omaha
Public Power District
2:10 - 2:55 PM
BREAKOUT A - LANCASTER I:
Agrivoltaics as an Opportunity for Utility-Scale Solar Energy
Description: Agrivoltaics preserves cropland by co-locating it with solar-energy installations.
This presentation will explore the benefits and limits of agrivoltaics, including its impact
on agricultural production, social acceptance and economic benefits to the community.
This presentation will also analyze legal and policy issues, such as agrivoltaics’ treatment
under zoning and property-tax laws.
Speaker:
–Hannes Zetzsche, Attorney, Baird Holm
Moderator: David Bracht, Of Counsel, Kutak Rock
BREAKOUT B - LANCASTER IV:
Identifying Opportunities and Risks for PV Solar in the Heartland
Description: This presentation and Q & A will provide insight and commentary on the current
state of PV Solar opportunities across the heartland, as well as identifying risks to
overcome and ensure reliable grid assets are integrated for the communities that host them.
Speakers:
–Simon Wrightson, USA Business Lead, Tenka
–Christopher Cook, VP of Development, ISI Solar
–Aaron Brown, VP of Engineering, ISI Solar
Moderator: Drake Becksted, Contracts Administrator, ISI Solar
3:05 - 3:45 PM
BREAKOUT A - LANCASTER I:
Tribal Approaches to Solar Development
Speaker:
–TBA, Winnebago Tribe
Moderator: Michael Shonka, President, Solar Heat & Electric
BREAKOUT B - LANCASTER IV:
Status of New Small Wind Technology
Speaker:
–TBA, NREL
Moderator: Claire Burch, Scientist, Olsson
3:45 PM
Closing Remarks/Participant Feedback
–John Hansen, Conference Chair, Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference