Watch a full recording of the summit below.
Keynote and Panels
The summit consisted of an opening keynote and three panels featuring federal, state, local, and industry leaders who shared their expertise on how the District can chart a path to a clean energy future.
Opening keynote
Acting Chairman Willie Phillips, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(introduced by Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Council of D.C.)

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Panel 1: The Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Over the past few years, Congress and the Biden/Harris Administration have passed federal legislation and policies that support clean energy efforts. In furthering the conversation to support the District’s aggressive clean energy goals, federal experts discussed how the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act address the urgency around clean air and climate action. The panel explored the Act’s impact on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and the discussion also focused on available tax credits and rebate programs, and the regulator’s role in supporting clean energy programs.  Panelists also discussed the impact of the Act on consumers.
  • Moderator: Chairman Emile C. Thompson, DCPSC
  • Richard Ezike, United States Department of Energy
  • Taresa Lawrence, United States Department of Energy

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Panel 2: Workforce and Supply Chain Development

The DCPSC aims to be a part of the solution to developing and supporting a diverse workforce and supply chain that pushes forward the District’s clean energy goals while maintaining a safe, reliable, affordable, and resilient infrastructure. This discussion explored investment and economic opportunities in all communities. Panelists discussed how to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into clean energy technology research, development, and deployment; current District workforce pipelines for in-demand jobs and energy jobs programs; and how to build equitable clean energy manufacturing and supply chains.
  • Moderator: Commissioner Jehmal Hudson, Virginia State Corporation Commission
  • Constance Thompson, American Council of Renewable Energy
  • Tobias Whitney, Fortress Information Security
  • Arlen Herrell, DC Department of Employment Services

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Panel 3: Affordability

Transitioning to cleaner energy raises several questions, including: What are the costs of this transition? How will those costs be allocated? Who will bear the burden? Who will reap the benefits? The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on both utilities and consumers. This panel explored how to close the affordability gap by examining arrearages and how to mitigate upward pressure on customer rates. Discussions included an analysis of the energy burden based on household income, the effects of local and federal legislation on energy expenditures, and how rate changes are affecting District residents.
  • Moderator: Odogwu Obi Linton, Maryland Public Service Commission
  • Damali Harding, Regulatory Assistance Project
  • Tony Reames, United States Department of Energy
  • Willa Hightower, Pepco
  • Ernest Jolly, DC Sustainable Energy Utility

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Photos

  • Tony Reames (United States Department of Energy) speaks during panel 3 while Damali Harding (Regulatory Assistance Project) looks on
About the Summit
This will be an in-person event livestreamed on YouTube. Registration is required. There will be multiple panels and keynotes featuring federal, state, local, and industry leaders who will come together to answer questions and discuss how we can chart a path to a clean energy future. Confirmed speakers and moderators

Agenda
12:45-1:20 pm
Welcome

  • Chairman Emile C. Thompson, DCPSC

Opening keynote speaker

  • Acting Chairman Willie L. Phillips, FERC

1:20-2:20pm
Panel 1
The Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Over the past few years, Congress and the Biden/Harris Administration have passed federal legislation and policies that support clean energy efforts. In furthering the conversation to support the District’s aggressive clean energy goals, federal experts will discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act address the urgency around clean air and climate action. This panel will explore the Acts’ impact on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. These discussions will also focus on available tax credits and rebate programs, and the regulator’s role in supporting clean energy programs.  Panelists will also discuss the impact of these Acts on consumers.

2:25-3:25pm
Panel 2
Workforce and Supply Chain Development
The DCPSC aims to be a part of the solution to developing and supporting a diverse workforce and supply chain that pushes forward the District’s clean energy goals while maintaining a safe, reliable, affordable, and resilient infrastructure. This discussion will explore investment and economic opportunities in all communities. Panelists will discuss how to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into clean energy technology research, development, and deployment; current District workforce pipelines for in-demand jobs and energy jobs programs; and how to build equitable clean energy manufacturing and supply chains.

3:25-3:45pm
Networking break

3:40-4:40pm
Panel 3
Affordability
Transitioning to cleaner energy raises several questions, including: What are the costs of this transition? How will those costs be allocated? Who will bear the burden? Who will reap the benefits? The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on both utilities and consumers. This panel will explore how to close the affordability gap by examining arrearages and how to mitigate upward pressure on customer rates. Discussions will include an analysis of the energy burden based on household income, the effects of local and federal legislation on energy expenditures, and how rate changes are affecting District residents.

4:40-5pm
Closing remarks

  • Commissioner Richard A. Beverly, DCPSC
  • Chairman Emile C. Thompson, DCPSC

Questions and media inquiries
For questions and general inquiries, email the conference organizers. For media inquiries, email DCPSC Communications Officer Kellie Didigu or call (202) 626-5100.

Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia
1325 G Street N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20005