Midwest Energy Summit

The impact of the energy sector spans far beyond the light switch - it truly powers our entire world. With varying beliefs and many approaches to long-term energy production and sustainability, robust discussions are pivotal to reliability and accessibility.

This event will be energized by Ted-style talks, dynamic speakers and panelists, including key lawmakers, economic experts and industry professionals, all with diverse perspectives on trending topics and the future of energy.

Keynote Address: Electricity Markets & Resource Adequacy

Tony Clark
Senior Advisor
Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP

As a former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner, a Chairman and Commissioner of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, a former President of the National Association of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners, the Labor Commissioner of North Dakota, and a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, Tony is a nationally recognized thought leader in energy policy who draws on years of government service to provide clients with analysis and strategic advice on a variety of regulatory and public policy matters affecting their businesses. His tenure on the North Dakota Commission coincided with the state's historic emergence as a leader in energy production.

Panel 1: Future of Energy Supply
Eric Palmer, Supervisor of Utility Planning, Minnesota Power
Valerie Weigel, Vice President of Asset Management and Commodity Strategy, Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Craig Bleth, Vice President of Power Supply, Minnkota Power Cooperative
Brad Tollerson, Vice President of Energy Supply, Otter Tail Power Company
Pamela Gorman Prochaska, Director of Nuclear Policy, Xcel Energy
Moderated by North Dakota Lt. Governor Brent Sanford

Ted-Style Talks: Trending Topics

Innovative Solutions for Biomass and Renewable Fuels

Kate Blair Klossner, Government Affairs Manager, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Carbon Capture

Wade Boeshans, Executive Vice President, Summit Carbon Solutions

Long-Range Transmission Planning

Brian Tulloh, Executive Director of External Affairs, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)

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Keynote Address: Pathways to Lowering Energy Prices
 

 

Julie Fedorchak
Commissioner
North Dakota Public Service
 

Julie Fedorchak has served on the Commission since 2012 and is the current chair. She heads the business operations; pipeline, electric transmission and energy conversion siting; railroad; MISO/OMS; and economic regulation-gas portfolios.

Julie is the second vice president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), immediate past president of the Organization of MISO States (OMS), vice-chair of the NARUC Gas Committee and vice president of the Gas Technology Institute’s advisory board. She is a member of the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Class of 2015.

Julie’s overarching priority is to make the government more responsive to North Dakota citizens. With her leadership, North Dakota became the first state to mitigate the light pollution caused by continuous red blinking lights on wind generators spanning the state’s open landscape. She has pushed for innovative ways to connect rural areas to natural gas service and led efforts to enhance the Commission’s pipeline reclamation program and tree and shrub mitigation plans. Julie developed and received legislative approval for a state rail safety program and is a tireless advocate for reliable, affordable utility services. She also reinstated the Commission’s consumer affairs portfolio to provide greater public awareness, participation, and transparency in the work of the PSC.