2010 National Electricity Forum Overview

The 2010 National Electricity Forum (2010 Forum) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and is held annually in conjunction with the NARUC Winter Committee Meetings. The 2010 Forum is planned by the 2010 National Electricity Forum Working Group, which is an ad hoc volunteer group consisting of a broad cross section of stakeholder representatives.

The 2010 Forum will be held on February 17 and 18, 2010. The 2010 Forum will address cutting edge issues that discuss how the Nation will evolve to a clean energy economy. The Forum will feature national thought leaders from all sectors of the electric power industry, academia, policymakers and consumers. The Keynote Panel will address what a clean energy economy should include, what new, innovative technologies should be deployed and what the impacts of carbon mandates will be on the electricity infrastructure.

Day 1 of the 2010 Forum will also include a series of panel discussions that will address the new components and drivers of a clean energy economy. Discussion topics will include economic drivers, technology drivers, financing the clean energy economy, the impact of federal carbon mandates, and how innovative technologies, such as plug-in electric hybrid vehicles, will influence the Nation's electric power infrastructure. Panelists in each of these sessions will represent experts, state and federal policymakers, academia and stakeholder perspectives.

The discussion on Day 2 of the 2010 Forum is focused on smart grid implementation, the role of energy efficiency and demand response in an evolving electric power grid, and the impact on the generation mix of uncertain fuel prices.

Why is the National Electricity Forum Needed?

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability is responsible for helping to drive the evolution of the electric power infrastructure by working with stakeholder groups on the complex technical and policy issues related to modernizing the electric delivery system. At the same time, state utility regulators, including NARUC members, and regional entities also have decision-making authority to coordinate and plan for a robust system that meets the increasing demands on the system. Additionally, NARUC members have responsibility for difficult decisions regarding clean energy investments. The 2010 Forum provides a unique opportunity to bring experts together to discuss these critical issues.

The 2010 Forum presents an opportunity to identify policy and infrastructure objectives for policymakers, system planners and others decision makers in the electric power system. The infrastructure needs discussed at this preeminent policy forum will help decision makers accomplish the goal of a robust, reliable electricity system to serve U.S. consumers for generations to come.

Who Should Attend

• Industry chief executive officers and senior management
• State policymakers, including state legislators and public utility commissioners and staff
• Smart grid proponents and other technology providers
• Investment community and venture capitalists
• Consumer advocates
• State energy office officials
• Federal energy officials
• Members of Congress and staff
• Academia
• Press and commentators
• Researchers and analysts with interest in the U.S. electric power system
• Students
• Environmental groups and advocates
• National lab employees

General Information

The 2010 Forum is being managed by Energetics Incorporated. Energetics is a consultant to the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information regarding the 2010 Forum please contact Peggy Welsh, Senior Consultant, Energetics Incorporated at pwelsh@energetics.com or call 202-406-4108.