7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

---

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Welcome Remarks & Introductions

---

9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Session I:

 

Current and Future Energy Needs

In the United States energy issues are a mainstay in federal and local policy discussions and daily news, demonstrating how critical a topic it is to our everyday lives. Whether it is a discussion about electricity prices, increasing efficiency or the growth in certain energy sectors, energy issues are on the minds of policymakers and the public alike. Americans consume energy via four major sectors: Industrial, Transportation, Residential and Commercial. A growing consumer demand and global competiveness calls for an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy supply. This session provided participants with a better understanding of our nation’s current and future energy needs and how policy decisions made today will affect energy reliability, security and economic growth for decades to come.

Institute Facilitator: Hon. Rafael Anchía, Texas State Representative, Member, Energy Resources Committee

• Mr. Francisco Carrillo, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental and External Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy

• Dr. Lola Infante, Director, Generation Fuels and Market Analysis, Edison Electric Institute
PRESENTATION

• Mr. Dan Halperin, Director of Distributed Generation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
PRESENTATION

---

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Session II:

 

Energy Economic Trends

The energy production industry accounts for a large percentage of some states’ economy. It boosts local and state economies with employment wages, housing and local business growth. The energy industry has seen many changes over the past decades, and with rapid growth, however, there is always the possibility of a down turn. This cycle has presented both opportunities and challenges for communities across the country that did not have the infrastructure and workforce necessary to endure the industry’s pattern. This session provided participants with an understanding of energy economic trends, how much the industry contributes to the economy at the national, state and regional level, and how states and local communities may be affected by these trends.

Institute Facilitator: Hon. Rafael Anchía, Texas State Representative, Member, Energy Resources Committee

• Dr. Thomas Tunstall, Senior Research Director, Institute for Economic Development, University of Texas at San Antonio
PRESENTATION

• Mr. Ray Dempsey, Jr., Vice President and Head of External Affairs, BP America
PRESENTATION

---

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Networking Lunch

---

1:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Session III:

 

An Overview of Energy Sources

The primary energy sources consumed in the United States are nuclear energy, fossil energy (including oil, coal and natural gas), and renewable sources including wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower. Electricity, a second energy source, is generated using these primary forms of energy. Understanding the relationships between the different energy sources and their uses provides insights into many important energy issues. This session provided an overview of each energy source and the sectors that rely on those sources. It is critical for policymakers to have a deeper understanding of how policies are designed to influence the use of various energy sources.

Institute Facilitator: Hon. Rafael Anchía, Texas State Representative, Member, Energy Resources Committee

• Dr. Thomas Tunstall, Senior Research Director, Institute for Economic Development, University of Texas at San Antonio
PRESENTATION

• Mr. Gilbert G. Campbell, III, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Volt Energy
PRESENTATION

---

3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Break

---

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Session IV:

 

The Future of Energy Delivery: A Look at the Policy Framework

As a nation, our daily lives are highly dependent on reliable, safe, abundant, affordable, and secure electricity. Electricity is the foundation of America’s economic success. Since the creation of our electric system more than 100 years ago, the electricity industry has experienced fundamental changes to how it operates. The grid plays a critical role in meeting the nation’s electricity needs, and changing conditions make it imperative that the grid, and grid operations continue to evolve. At the same time, consumers want more choices and control over their energy choices, and new unregulated entities are entering the market to meet consumer needs with new products and services. This session provided policymakers with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges the electricity industry will confront over the next two decades and will provide an overview of the Clean Power Plan. Policymakers have the opportunity to lead and help shape energy policy by engaging in meaningful dialogue about how to meet the future energy needs of each state and region.

Institute Facilitator: Hon. Rafael Anchía, Texas State Representative, Member, Energy Resources Committee

• Dr. Lola Infante, Director, Generation Fuels and Market Analysis, Edison Electric Institute
PRESENTATION

• Ms. Heather Sanders, Principal Manager, Integrated Grid Strategy and Engagement, Southern California Edison

• Ms. Diane Munns, Senior Director of External Affairs and Regulatory Policy, Clean Energy Programs, Environmental Defense Fund
PRESENTATION

---

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wrap Up & Adjourn for the Day

---

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Opening Reception

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

---

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Session V:

 

Energy and Climate Change: A Top Policy Issue in 2016

Leading up to, and since the Paris Agreement, energy and climate change have been visibly present in headlines around the world and the campaign trails in the United States. Many scientific experts agree that the Earth’s climate system is warming, and that it is likely that human activity is a significant contributor. This session provided an informed discussion on how different states throughout the country, in the absence of policy movement at the federal level, are dealing with the topic of climate change and the different policy approaches that states and regions are currently implementing, or considering, to address this issue in the future.

Institute Facilitator: Hon. Rafael Anchía, Texas State Representative; Member, Energy Resources Committee

• Ms. Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President, Western States Petroleum Association

• Ms. Linda Escalante, Policy Advocate, California and Latino Advocacy Programs, Natural Resources Defense Council

---

9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

---

9:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Mobile Tours

Wilmington Oil Field 
The Wilmington Oil Field is the third largest field in the contiguous United States with an ultimate recovery estimated at three billion barrels of oil. The field is located on the 13-mile long and three-mile wide Wilmington Anticline that extends from onshore San Pedro to offshore Seal Beach.

The Port of Long Beach 
The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s busiest seaports, a leading gateway for trade between the United States and Asia. It supports over a million jobs nationally and generates billions of dollars in economic activity each year.

---

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Lunch

---

 

 

**********

A Deeper Dive on Energy: Concurrent Sessions

Participants may choose which session to attend

**********

---

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Session VI:

 

Meeting the Workforce Needs in the Energy Sector

The energy industry in the United States is facing pressing workforce challenges ranging from the aging of the workforce to the need for new training strategies for entry level and vital workers. With these emerging challenges, the industry will need to look at innovative ways to recruit new workers and establish public private partnerships within communities that will help build the pipeline for future employees. This session provided an overview of the current and future needs of the workforce in the energy industry and highlighted strategies and partnerships among education, employment, and workforce and economic development organizations that can effectively address these challenges.

• Ms. Monica Martinez, President and Secretary, Hispanics in Energy
PRESENTATION

• Ms. Shannon Sedgwick, Economist, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

• Mr. Adewale OgunBadejo, Workforce Development Manager, GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles
PRESENTATION

---

Session VII:

 

Cybersecurity: Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure

Cybersecurity attacks are no longer only threatening individuals’ privacy, but they can now also compromise a country’s critical infrastructure and its ability to provide essential services to its citizens. Cybercriminals present a real threat to our power grids, water supply systems and other vital services that can potentially cripple a country, state, or local community’s livelihood, bringing it to a grinding halt. This session provided policymakers with an understanding of the critical information and tools they need to conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of the critical infrastructure in their communities and what policies, technology and procedures need to be put in place to help protect these systems.

• Dr. Jeffrey Cornelius, Executive Vice President, Darktrace

---

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Wrap Up Discussion

---

3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Evaluations & Closing Remarks