Large changes are afoot in Northeastern Energy Markets. After squeezing coal-fired generation out of the region over the last couple of decades and the final closure of the Indian Point Energy Center in 2021, political momentum has been growing to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.
In New York, which has relied on gas-fired generation to make up for the loss of the Indian Point nuclear reactors, elected officials are questioning the future of natural gas as part of the overall energy mix. Policy makers on the city and state level have recently been pushing to enact legislation that would increasingly electrify residential buildings.
Meanwhile, in New England, a Massachusetts law passed late last year requires the state to halve emissions by 2030 and hit net-zero by 2050. How to execute on the mandate remains a question, however, and serious regional challenges may need to be overcome in an ISO where not every state always sees eye to eye.
In both instances, offshore wind energy and importing hydropower from Quebec are potential options, but ongoing legal battles to prevent the construction of long distance power lines through New England and Upstate New York are reminders that no solutions are simple -- raising questions about grid stability and how to best transition away from fossil fuels in a deliberate, responsible manner.
To discuss these issues and potential solutions, please join us for a virtual session via Zoom Webinar from 12:00 until 1:30 PM EST. Additional details will be provided to registered attendees prior to the session.
SPEAKERS
Barbara Kates-Garnick
Barbara Kates-Garnick is currently a professor of practice at the Fletcher School of Tufts University with a focus on the energy transition. Her career in the public sector includes serving as the Undersecretary of Energy for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and as a Commissioner of Public Utilities. She served as Vice President of Corporate Affairs at KeySpan and as a consultant to NYU-Poly (now Tandon School of Engineering), where she developed the proposal for the New York City Accelerator for Clean and Renewable Energy (NYC ACRE). She was also part of the founding team of New Energy, which sold the first deregulated electricity in the US. She serves on the board of Anbaric Development Partners, an independent transmission company and on the board of PowerOptions, a pioneer in energy aggregation. She also is a member of the Board of the Energy and Environmental Systems (BEES) of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and of Resources for the Future (RFF). She received a Ph.D. in international political economy from the Fletcher School of Tufts University, and an A.B. from Bryn Mawr College.
Dale Bryk
Dale Bryk is Senior Attorney and Director of the State & Regional Climate Policies work at the Harvard Law School Environmental & Energy Law Program as well as a Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment at the Regional Planning Association (RPA). With over two decades’ experience developing and implementing climate, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation policies, Dale helps states and cities craft policies to deliver a just and equitable transition to a clean energy economy. Dale served as New York State’s Deputy Secretary for Energy and Environment from 2019-2020 and oversaw New York’s nation-leading climate agenda and directed the agencies and authorities responsible for developing and implementing the state policies and initiatives needed to build a just and sustainable clean energy economy. Prior to this, Dale served in a variety of positions at the Natural Resources Defense Council, including Chief Planning Officer, Director of Programs, and Director of the Energy & Transportation Program. Dale holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, a master’s from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Serge Abergel
Serge Abergel took office as Chief Operating Officer of Hydro-Québec Energy Services (U.S.) Inc. in December 2021. This Hydro-Québec subsidiary is responsible for clean hydropower export initiatives to the New York and New England markets. Since joining Hydro-Québec in 2014, Serge has held various positions in media and stakeholder relations, government affairs and has also led information campaigns on the company’s export initiatives. Prior to his most recent appointment, he served as corporate Director – Communications. He is a frequent public speaker on Hydro-Québec’s clean energy generating fleet and transmission system. He has considerable previous experience working as a public affairs officer in the Canadian Armed Forces and the federal correctional system. Serge holds a bachelor’s degree in operations management from HEC Montréal.
MODERATOR
Johannes Van Der Tuin
Johannes Van Der Tuin is an independent energy markets consultant and longtime analyst. He previously led the energy practice at Medley Global Advisors, with a focus on energy commodities, corporates and the energy transition. He joined MGA from Credit Suisse in November 2017, where he covered oil, natural gas, and US independent refiners as an equity analyst. He holds a M.A. in International Economics and International Affairs, with a focus on energy markets and politics, from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), a Graduate Certificate in China Studies from the Johns Hopkins – Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies (HNC), as well as a B.A. in Political Science from Kenyon College.
PROGRAM
12:00 - 1:30 PM: Panel Discussion and Q&A
COST
This session is complimentary for all registrants. Registration is required for event link details.
QUESTIONS
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