Wyoming Infrastructure Authority

Transmission Updates for Projects being developed in Wyoming:

A panel comprised of representatives from those companies developing transmission in Wyoming has been convened. Each panel member will deliver a 10-15 minute presentation containing updates on the development progress; development issues faced in 2011; and the hurdles to be overcome to reach project viability. Colin McKee, Energy Policy Analyst for Governor Mead’s Office will moderate. The projects being addressed will include:

Presentations:
1)Energy Gateway Project-Darrell Gerrard, Vice President, Transmission Planning, Rocky Mountain Power/PacifiCorp
2) TransWest Express Project—Bill Boyd, Ex. Vice President & COO, TransWest Express, LLC
3) Zephyr Project-Chris Jones, Managing Director, Duke American Transmission Company (DATC)
4) Wyoming Colorado Intertie Project—Adam Gassaway, Project Manager, LS Power

Wyoming Renewable Energy Coordination Committee (RECC):
This Committee was formed in 2011 with the purpose of expediting generation projects in Wyoming. Membership includes Governor Mead’s Policy Office; Office of State Lands and Investment; Office Dept. of Environmental Quality, Industrial Siting Division; Wyoming Infrastructure Authority; Wyoming Game and Fish; Bureau of Land Management Renewable Energy Coordination Office; and Wyoming County Commissioner’s Association. Todd Parfitt, Deputy Director, Wyoming’s Department of Environmental Quality will present an update on the activities in 2011 and next steps.

Presentation:
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Energy Permitting and Siting Issues for Federal Lands:
Peter J. Schaumberg, Principal, Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. (Washington, DC) will address permitting and siting issues facing the Oil & Gas and renewable energy industries as well as developers of pipelines and transmission facilities crossing federally-managed lands. Peter is a former long-time attorney with the Department of the Interior. Peter has handled numerous matters involving NEPA and other environmental review processes for energy production and transmission projects, and has provided significant input in several contexts to improve those processes.

Presentation:
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An update on the work of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) and the BLM 2012 Renewable Energy Priority Projects:
A panel has been convened to discuss the progress of these two (2) federal initiatives with a discussion as to next steps. Steve Black, Counselor to Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar; Laura Morton, Sr. Advisor for Renewable Energy and to Lauren Azar, Office of the Secretary, Department of Energy; Don Simpson, Wyoming State Director for the BLM ; and Linda Davis, Finance Director, Western Governors Association (WGA). The panel moderator will be Shawn Reese, Policy Director for Governor Matt Mead.

Presentations:
-Shawn Reese, Policy Director for Governor Mead
-Laura Morton, Office of the Secretary, Dept of Energy
-Linda Davis, Western Governor’s Association

An update on the DKRW Coal to Motor Fuels Project near Medicine Bow:
Bill Gathman, DKRW Advanced Fuels, LLC will be giving an update on this important proposed facility in the Medicine Bow area. In addition, Mr. Kelly will address the complexities of acquiring financing for a large-scale CTL facility.

Presentation:
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The Feasibility of Siting Coal (CTL) and Natural Gas to Liquids (GTL) Facilities in Wyoming:
Given Wyoming world-class coal and natural gas reserves, converting such to motor fuels and other products present the opportunity to move such resources “up the value chain” to the benefit of our State and to the U.S. by mitigating the need to import energy supplies from foreign sources. A comprehensive study commissioned by the Wyoming Business Council was recently completed by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and in addition to addressing the conversion of coal (CTL); the study also addresses natural gas to liquids (GTL) and methanol to gasoline (MTG). Dr. Richard Boardman, Energy Security Initiative Lead, INL will provide a summary of the study.

Presentation:
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Washington DC Update:
Tom Dennis, Executive Vice President, Cassidy & Associates will provide an update on issues impacting energy in Washington including the PTC debate relative to wind.

Presentation:
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An update of the Montana-Alberta Tie-Line (MATL):
Enbridge, Inc recently completed the acquisition of the MATL Project. Robert Stade, Project Manager, Enbridge will give an update on the efforts to complete the construction of the line.

Presentation:
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A Comprehensive Review of FERC Order 1000:
Jason Johns, Associate, Stoel Rives LLP  provided a brief summary of past FERC regulations and a report on Order 1000 and what the industry can expect as to how such is being received by all entities and the role the Order will likely play in transmission development in the coming years.

Presentation:
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Further Examination of the Benefits of Geographic Diversity for Wyoming Wind (with an emphasis on California):
This will mark the third Meeting that our stakeholders have had an opportunity to hear from Jonathan Naughton, Ph.D., Director, University of Wyoming’s Wind Energy Research Center relative to the benefits to be derived from geographic diversity.

Presentation:
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Financing Large, Complex Energy Projects in the Current Economic Environment:
A panel has was convened comprised of representatives from those companies engaged in financing large scale energy projects. Moderating the panel will be Chris Elrod, Managing Partner, Energy Asset Advisors. Companies represented include:

Presentations:

Panel Overview
· Goldman Sachs—Hadley Peer Marshall, Senior Vice President
· Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners—Jeffry Myers, Senior Operating Partner
· Yavapai Regional Capital—John Sellers, Principal

Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Bold Plan to Transform U.S. Transportation Fuels Market and Reduce OPEC Oil Imports:
Given the fact that Wyoming is the 2nd largest producer of natural gas in the U.S., any process that moves natural gas up the value chain results in incremental benefits to our State and our citizens. John Dill, Director, Corporate Development & Government Relations, Chesapeake Energy presented.

Presentation:
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A Report from Encana Corporation:
Randy Teeuwen, Director, Community Relations Advisor provided an overview/update on the activities of the Corp. and Alexine Hazarian, Lead for Encana’s NGV Advocacy in WY, CO and NM will discuss the firming of wind with natural gas-fired generation together with an update on the Wyoming Natural Gas Vehicle & Infrastructure Coalition activities.

Presentation:
Randy Teeuwen
Alexine Hazarian

Walt George, National Project Manager for Energy Gateway West, BLM  discussed the Federal Rapid Response Team
and its recent selection of two (2) of Wyoming’s Transmission Projects.

Presentation:
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Carl Zichella, Director of Western Energy Transmission, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
discussed NRDC’s efforts relative to new power transmission development in the West.

Presentation:
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GE’s Variable Frequency Transformer (VFT) technology:
Jim Roedel, Senior Product Line Manager-FACTS, GE Energy discussed, in layman’s terms, the latest in VFT technology which is designed for bi-directional flow of power between asynchronous grids.

Presentation:
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Future of Nuclear Power in the U.S.:
Rowland Linford, Visiting Professor, University of Wyoming provided an update of the issues surrounding the earthquake in Japan, impacts on future safety regulations and future development across the globe. In addition, Rowland will provide an update on the latest development in small-scale nuclear reactors.

Presentation:
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County-Level Planning Recommendations for Transmission Infrastructure Development:
Nadia Kaliszewski, Master’s in Planning and Environment & Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, discussed her thesis findings relative to county-level transmission infrastructure planning. The study compares three alternative planning methods based on administrative feasibility and efficiency.

Presentation:
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Small Wind Applications:
Jeny Stoesz, Originals Earth Friendly Options discussed small wind turbine applications for Wyoming.

Presentation:
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Gestamp Worthington Wind Steel - Wind Tower Manufacturing Facility in Cheyenne:
Bob Jensen, CEO, Wyoming Business Council will discuss the Business Council’s efforts to attract new business to our State and will introduce John H. McConnell, Manager of Development, Worthington Industries; Josh Oakes, Wind Project Lead, Worthington Energy Group; and Dan Guerttman, Vice President, Granite Peak Development. John will provide an overview on Worthington’s emerging efforts in the energy market. Josh will update on the new turbine tower manufacturing facility to be located in the Swan Ranch Rail Park south of Cheyenne. Dan will provide an overview of the Swan Ranch.

Presentations:
John H. McConnell, Manager of Development, Worthington Industries; Josh Oakes, Wind Project Lead, Worthington Energy Group

Dan Guerttman, Vice President, Granite Peak Development (Map 1)
Dan Guerttman, Vice President, Granite Peak Development (Map 2)
Dan Guerttman, Vice President, Granite Peak Development (Map 3)

The True Cost of Integrating Renewable Energy on the Grid:
Later this morning, we’ll hear about the benefits of geographical diversity which, where present, mitigates the number of ramping events by wind and solar that requires dispatchable generation to address. Now that renewable energy has been integrated onto the grid in significant amounts in different areas of the West, the Industry is starting to quantify the impact of such integration. Brannin McBee, Energy Analyst, BENTEK Energy will provide some interesting results of a study recently conducted by BENTEK.

Presentation:
Brannin McBee, Energy Analyst, BENTEK Energy

An Examination of the Benefits of Geographical Diversity of Renewable Energy between WY and CA and other Market Areas:
Jonathan Naughton, Ph.D., Director, University of Wyoming’s Wind Energy Research Center has been commissioned by the WIA to examine the diversity of wind between Wyoming and California’s connected wind resources. In addition, Jonathan will report on the diversity between Wyoming and Colorado’s connected wind resources.

Presentation:
Jonathan Naughton, Ph.D., Director, University of Wyoming’s Wind Energy Research Center

The Value of Transmission as an Enabler to Aggregate Diverse Variable Renewable Resources: A Study Using MORE Power:
Randy Allis, Ph.D., Manager, Atmospheric Effects, Northrop Grumman Information Systems will provide an overview of MORE Power and show various examples of its use to support the renewable energy community, both solar and wind. These examples include the benefits of site diversity in maximizing useable power and minimizing ramping as well as the value of long distance transmission expansion as an enabler to aggregate wind power. MORE Power is a game changing and disruptive technology used to address quantitatively the inherent variability in natural resources such as wind and solar. This technology has been leveraged from a US government space to ground laser communications application developed by Randy’s group and applied to the renewable industry.

Presentation:
Randy Allis, Ph.D., Manager, Atmospheric Effects, Northrop Grumman Information Systems

Addressing the Variability of Wyoming Wind with Quick-Start Natural Gas-Fired Equipment, a Case Study:
Dennis Finn, General Sales Manager, Wärtsilä North America will provide approaches to firming 3,000 MW of Wyoming wind generation serving the marketplace.

Presentation:
Dennis Finn, General Sales Manager, Wärtsilä North America

Impact of Recent federal Regulations and Guidelines and other issues regarding the Permitting and Siting of Transmission & Generation:
A panel comprised of representatives from those companies which are on the front-lines of the permitting and siting process, Jennifer Rouda, Principal Transmission Planner, Ecology and Environmental Inc moderating. Each panel member will asked to provide a brief overview of their respective companies; their perspective on recent policy out of Washington DC including Wild Lands, Land-based generation development guidelines, Eagle guidelines and the Migratory Bird Protection Act; and some closing suggestions to both developers and state & federal agencies as to mitigating the cost and timing of the permitting process. Panel members include:

1) Randy Palmer, Principal & COO, EPG
2)  Steve Negri, Senior Wildlife Scientist, TetraTech
3) Ginger Melms, Sr. Project Manager, Terracon
4) Floyd Robertson, Project Manager, Ecology and Environmental Inc
5) Rick Harness, Certified Wildlife Biologist, EDM

RES Americas’ on Wind Energy and Transmission:
Jerry Vaninetti, Sr. VP, RES Americas will provide an overview of RES Americas and its perspective on the transmission-related aspects of renewable energy development, including interconnections, genties, merchant transmission, FERC policy reforms, and RTOs.

Presentation:
Jerry Vaninetti, Sr. VP, RES Americas

Bureau of Reclamation’s Report on Hydro Activity in Wyoming and the West:
Kerry McCalman, Acting Senior Advisor, Hydropower, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will present the results of a recent study which identifies 70 small hydro projects in the West for possible development. In addition, Kerry will address the recent Reclamation and DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement for development of small hydro and pumped storage.

Presentation:
Kerry McCalman, Acting Senior Advisor, Hydropower, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Pump Storage Development in Wyoming:
Matthew Shapiro, CEO, Gridflex Energy will present the results of a study combining Wheatland/Chugwater wind with a proposed pumped storage hydro facility and the resulting benefits, including creation of firm capacity wind, a home for off-peak power, and transmission savings.

Presentation:
Matthew Shapiro, CEO, Gridflex Energy

The presentations, agenda and bio’s may be viewed here.

Agenda

Bio’s

Presentations

• Carbon Storage & Sequestration work by the Southern Companies:Richard Esposito, Principal Research Geologist
• G E Energy’s work with the University of Wyoming related to IGCC: Paul Miller, GE Power & Water
• ICF’s Phase 2 Collector System Study and Corridor Analysis:Robert Henke, Sr. Vice President
• Official Release of NREL’s Economic Benefits & Job Creation Study for Wyoming: Eric Lantz, Policy Analyst NREL
• Energy Gateway Projects—Rich Walje, President, Rocky Mountain Power
• TransWest Express Project— David Smith, Director, Engineering & Operations, TransWest Express, LLC
• Zephyr Project—John Dunn, Director of Power Transmission, TransCanada
• LS Power’s Projects— Adam Gassaway, Project Manager, LS Power
• High Plains Express Project—Tom Green, Principal Transmission Planning Engineer, Xcel Energy
• Washington DC Update: Tom Dennis, Executive Vice President, Cassidy & Associates
• BP Wind Energy Overview: John Graham, President, BP Wind Energy
• Geographical Diversity of Wind on either side of the Laramie Range: Jonathan Naughton, Ph.D., Director, University of Wyoming’s Wind Energy Research Center
• An additional source of natural gas for Wyoming: Brian Cree, Chief Operating Officer, Luca Technologies

• Technological Advances in Wind Turbine Technology- Marc Peterson, Western U.S. Sales Exec, GE Energy Power Generation
• Composite Conductor Technology for Power Transmission Lines-Pat Avery, VP Business Development, CTC Cable Corp
• NREL’s Economica Benefits and Job Creation Study for WY-Eric Lantz, Policy Analyst, NREL
• Wind Generation Development-Pathfiner Renewable Wind Energy-Brad WIlliams, Exec Advisor, Pathfinder
• Development of Natural Gas-fired Generation in WY-Rich Lauckhart, Managing Director, Black & Veatch
• Overview of HVDC Transmission Systems-Michael Bahrman, HVDC Marketing Manager, ABB Inc.
• Merits of Exporting WY Wind and CO-Duane Johnson, President, Western Vision Properties, LLC
• Merits of Exporting WY Wind and CO-Rich Simon, Director, V-Barr, LLC
• Merits of Exporting WY Wind and CO-Adam Gassaway, LS Power Group
• 2010 Midterm Election: Tom Dennis, Cassidy and Associates