Events New

Registration for the 2018 Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference is now open! The cost to attend the conference is just $75 through 4 pm on Thursday, October 4, by clicking the link below. Walk-in registrations the day of the event will start at 7:30 a.m., and the cost for walk-in registrations will be $100.

Conference Registration

U.S. Senator John Hoeven
U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp
Congressman Kevin Cramer
N.D. Governor Doug Burgum
EmPower ND  •  BSC  • Great Plains Energy Corridor  •  KLJ  •  ND Dept of Commerce

*Speakers and Times Subject to Change*

Monday, October 8, 2018

7:45 am • Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:05 am • Welcome from Dr. Larry C. Skogen, President, Bismarck State College

8:10 am • All of the Above: The Big Picture in State and National Energy Policy

United States Senator John Hoeven

United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp

United States Congressman Kevin Cramer

North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford

Moderator: Jason Bohrer, President and CEO, Lignite Energy Council

The energy industry is facing challenges, but North Dakota leads the way in demonstrating what is needed to create a strong, affordable, and diverse energy mix. Hear from the state’s leaders on what they see as a critical need in shaping the state’s energy future and get the chance to text in your questions during this live Q&A discussion.

9:30 am • Networking Break

9:50 am • Perspectives from U.S. Department of Energy

Dan Brouillette, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy

Introduced by Josh DeMorrett, Director of Stakeholder Relations, Great Plains Business Unit, ConocoPhillips

Hear from a top official of the U.S. Department of Energy on what key drivers will be shaping national energy policy over the next few years.

10:10 am • Discussion on National Energy Policy

Led by Dave Thompson, Prairie Public

How has national energy policy influenced planning for energy expansion and development?  What impacts will the reversal of the Clean Power Plan have on generation in North Dakota? Listen to a fireside chat with the Deputy Energy Secretary to continue this discussion.

10:45 am • Networking Break

11:00 am • Global Markets and Energy Economics

Dean Foreman, Ph.D., Chief Economist, American Petroleum Institute

Introduced by Ron Day, Government & Public Affairs Manager, Andeavor

As US oil markets surge, what sort of future should North Dakota be prepared for in petroleum? Hear an analysis of API’s industry outlook and ask questions throughout this interactive session to learn how new technology innovations and the global energy market are impacting the state.

12:00pm • Lunch

1:00 pm • Growth and Development of Renewable Generation

John DiDonato, Vice President – Renewable Development, NextEra Energy Resources

State and federal policies are important drivers for growth in wind power and other sources of renewable generation.  North Dakota has been called the Saudi Arabia of wind, with the capacity to produce more than one billion kilowatt hours of electrical energy.  What factors influence demand for wind energy?  Is the state poised to take advantage of growth in the renewable sector?

1:20 pm • All of the Above Generation Infrastructure

Stacey Dahl, Senior Manager of External Affairs and Communications, Minnkota Power Cooperative

Betsy Engelking, Vice President – Strategy, Geronimo Energy

Jean Schafer, Senior Legislative Representative, Basin Electric Power Cooperative

Moderator: Julie Fedorchak, Commissioner, N.D. Public Service Commission

Regional experts weigh in on the biggest impacts to their industry now and potentially in the future by answering specific generation questions: 1. How is national policy affecting your ability to provide baseload power? 2. What state policy would you like to see changed to address needs? 3. What does the marketplace look like for your industry over the next 20 years? And 4. What policy changes would have the biggest impact on your existing operations?

2:30 pm • Networking Break

2:45 pm • Unique Opportunities of the Energy Industry

Gary Zuroff, Public Works Director, City of Dickinson

Dan Inman, Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Minnkota Power Cooperative

Ross Manson, Chief Innovation Officer, EideBailly

Moderator: Shawn Kessel, Deputy Commissioner, N.D. Department of Commerce

New technologies and innovations mean constant change in the energy industry.  Which technologies or changes could most impact your utility?  What are the biggest areas of opportunities in the future?  Hear from a panel representing several of the biggest disruptors in traditional energy operations about what is on the horizon.

4:00 pm • Wrap-up

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum

You may also view or download the conference agenda here.

For information on area hotels, click here.