Review Agenda
Other Administrative Matters

(10 minutes each)

*Separations - George Young (VT)
*Universal Service - Labros Pilalis (PA)

*Technology - Michael Ladam (NH)
*Federal Legislation - Roxanne Scott (CA)
*Federal Regulation - Joe Witmer (PA)
*State Regulation - Brian Rybarik (WI)
*Consumer Issues - Vacant
*Service Quality - Lynn Notarianni (CO)

*706 Conference Update - Brian Mahern (IN)
*NRRI Report - Sherry Lichtenberg
*NTIA Report - Jim McConnaughey

Joint panel with Consumer Affairs

This session will examine how our utilities and governments can attract the best and brightest 21st century skill sets (think cybersecurity, smart grid technologies, renewables, and others) for what may be perceived to be staid & stodgy sectors: government and utilities.

The presentation will describe the research that took place over 30 years by the Gas Technology Institute, the Department of Energy, and how it was necessary for the currrent shale gas production to take place.

* Hear from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Climatic Data Center on new Climate Normals products and how they can be used by regulators and gas utilities.
* Discuss issues of addressing cost-effectiveness and ratemaking concerns while ensuring public safety.

The focus in the electricity sector might be on environmental rules and generation, but make no mistake - transmission is the most essential part of the power grid. While not necessarily headline news, many initiatives dealing with the grid are underway, including interconnectionwide planning, FERC Order 1000, siting issues, the emergence of merchant grid companies, and much more. This session will give stakeholders of all stripes an opportunity to interact with the NARUC Committee on Electricity Committee on the myriad of issues surrounding transmission. We will start with some selected panelists, and then provide time for other audience members and commissioners to participate in a robust conversation on this important issue. Bring your questions and join us in this dynamic stakeholder session.

Two increasingly disparate industries - electricity utilities and telecommunications - may soon be on a collision course as smart grid technologies become more widespread. The telecommunications industry, known for its fast-paced "app-driven" wireless technologies, operates in a competitive environment. This has ushered in an era of profound change within the industry. The electric utility industry couldn't be any more different. Retail competition has not taken off as predicted. It remains a largely regulated business, and innovation has come slowly. Yet as smart meters become more prevalent, electric utilities and wireless companies will be driven closer together. Many believe the true promise of "smart grid" technology depends almost solely on the wireless network that will be running it. How will these divergent industries work together to provide reliable service? Can electric utilities adapt to an "app" world, and can wireless companies thrive in a model where consumers demand that their lights stay on? This interactive session will feature experts from both sectors along with a consumer advocate who will discuss how these industries will converge.