2024 Final Agenda

Speaker Bios

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
–Kara Valentine, Interim Director, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy

8:30 – 9:15 AM

A Taste of Things to Come in Nebraska’s Solar Output
Platteview Solar is the first transmission-interconnected, utility-scale solar project constructed and operational in Nebraska. This panel will provide perspectives on the process to develop, construct, and operate the facility, as well as share lessons learned that will benefit the state on future projects.
Speakers:
–Chris Caswell, Director Origination, AES Clean Energy
–Carol Waszak, Manager, Renewable Energy Resources, Omaha Public Power District
Moderator: Courtney Kennedy, President, Power Delivery Services

9:15 – 10:00 AM

Using Battery Storage to Meet the Energy Demand
This panel will focus on the different types of battery storage installations that utilities/developers are considering in Nebraska.
Speakers:
–Molly Brown, VP of Energy Production, GenPro Energy Solutions
–Eric Stoutenburg, Director, Energy Storage, Eolian Energy
–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
Local permitting of renewable projects has become increasingly difficult in the face of opposition that often presents misinformation to county officials. This panel will provide an overview of best practices for engaging with county officials to provide them with reasonable and factual information in a manner that has a higher likelihood of success to lead to successful permit 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
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, President, Tenka in the USA
–Christopher Cook, VP of Development, ISI Solar
–George Gogos, Director, Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR)
Moderator: Drake Becksted, Vice President of Marketing & Sales, ISI Solar

12:00 - 1:30 PM Keynote Luncheon | SPONSORED BY nextera energy resources

Homegrown: How Domestic Energy Powers America
–JC Sandberg, Chief Advocacy Officer, American Clean Power Association
Moderator: Kevin Gildea, Vice President of Development, NextEra Energy

1:30 - 1:45 PM Break Sponsored by kutak rock

1:45 – 2:30 PM

BREAKOUT A - LANCASTER I:

Restoring and Preventing Hail Damage to Solar in Nebraska
A hail storm that produced 3” and 4” hail resulted in significant damage at a Scottsbluff solar project. Gen Pro shares their experience with restoration. Learn how hail cannon technology has proved to be successful in mitigating hail damage in north central Nebraska.
Speakers:
–Lee DeLange, Chief Administrative Officer, GenPro Energy Resources
–Nicole Sedlacek, Economic Development Manager, Nebraska Public Power District
Moderator: David Rich, Sustainable Energy Manager, Nebraska Public Power District

BREAKOUT B - LANCASTER IV:

Update on City Climate Plans & State Pollution Reduction Grant
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
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 Energy

BREAKOUT B - LANCASTER IV:

Next Generation Nuclear
This session will provide an overview of the feasibility study for Next Generation Nuclear in Nebraska and an update on the siting study process for the potential of new nuclear in Nebraska.
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 the National Environmental Policy Act for Federal Funding
The U.S. Government provides funding opportunities for renewable energy development. In order to receive federal funding, a project must be in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA. Each agency has its own implementing procedures for NEPA. This presentation will summarize the NEPA process and related laws and regulations that also require compliance if federal funding will be pursued.
Speaker:
–Jennifer Peters, Sr. NEPA Practioner, Terracon
Moderator: Ann M. Scott, Principal and Environmental Planning Program Manager, Terracon

4:15 – 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

Inflation Reduction Act Update
This update will include the progress that has been made on Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) and the New Empowering Rural America (New ERA) programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as continuing federal efforts to support clean energy investments. 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
The Nebraska BioEconomy is the key to elevating Nebraska’s economic capability, revitalizing our rural communities, protecting our family farms and ranches, spurring investment in our rural infrastructure, and transforming the products, services, technologies and production our country is demanding for a fully resilient future.
Speaker:
–Julie Bushell, CEO, Ethos Connected and Global Sustainability Developers
Moderator: David Rich, Sustainable Energy Manager, Nebraska Public Power District

10:15 - 10:30 am Break

10:30 - 11:30 aM

SPP: A Look at the Queue and Congestion Issues
A look at the Generation Queue Process for interconnecting new generation assets to SPP’s transmission system, and what is being done to alleviate the transmission system challenges.
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 NELNET RENEWABLE ENERGY

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

1:15 pm Exhibits Tear-Down

1:15 - 2:00 PM

Open for Business or Falling Behind? The Case for Renewable Energy in Nebraska
Renewable energy projects are not possible without landowner/farmer partnership and participation. The opportunities for agriculture and energy generation compatibility are tremendous and knocking at our door. Learn about the challenges and benefits for rural places
Speakers:
–Justin Pickar, Senior Director, Origination, National Grid Renewables
–David Levy, Partner, Baird Holm
–Josh Moenning, Mayor, City of Norfolk & Director, New Power Nebraska
Moderator: John Hansen, Conference Chairman, Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference

2:10 - 2:55 PM

BREAKOUT A - LANCASTER I:

Agrivoltaics as an Opportunity for Utility-Scale Solar Energy
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
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, Vice President of Marketing & Sales, ISI Solar

3:05 - 3:45 PM

BREAKOUT A - LANCASTER I:

Solar for All
Speakers:
–Daniel Padilla, Director - Solar for All, Center for Rural Affairs
–Laura Priest, Associate - Solar for All, Center for Rural Affairs
Moderator: Michael Shonka, President, Solar Heat & Electric

BREAKOUT B - LANCASTER IV:

Status of New Small Wind Technology
Researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will discuss distributed wind technology and the work they’re doing. This session is intended to be an open dialogue where the audience is encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts on the topic.
Speaker:
–Frank Oteri, Market Research Analyst, NREL
Moderator: Claire Burch, Scientist, Olsson

3:45 PM

Closing Remarks/Participant Feedback
–John Hansen, Conference Chair, Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference