Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy Forum (EXPO 2022)

Written highlights for each panel are available here:

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Energy Modernization

Panelists discussed how the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) is promoting energy system modernization, with an emphasis on transmission and renewable energy resources.

• Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy (DOE)

• Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO, National Hydropower Association (NHA)

• Joy Ditto, President and CEO, American Public Power Association (APPA)

• Bill Parsons, Vice President, Federal and State Affairs, American Clean Power (ACP)

 Q&A with Senators Jack Reed and Mike Crapo 

Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island)

Co-Chair of the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus

Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)

Co-Chair of the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus

 The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Buildings and Workforce 

Panelists discussed how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help make the building sector more sustainable and resilient. They also discussed the need to invest in workforce development and worker training for a 21st century energy system.

• Paula Glover, President, Alliance to Save Energy (ASE)

• Jason Walsh, Executive Director, BlueGreen Alliance (BGA)

• Curt Rich, President and CEO, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)

• Jeannie Salo, Vice President of Government Relations, North America, Schneider Electric; Board Member, Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)

 Remarks from Sen. Chris Van Hollen 

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland)

Deputy Co-Chair of the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus

 The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Transportation 

Panelists discussed how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help make the transportation sector cleaner, including by providing funds for public transit and for the build-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. They also discussed the potential for renewable biofuels to help reduce emissions from hard-to-electrify vehicles and the importance of domestically-sourced energy.

• Karl Simon, Director, Transportation and Climate Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Genevieve Cullen, President, Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA)

• Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Growth Energy

• Art Guzzetti, Vice President – Mobility Initiatives and Public Policy, American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

 Q&A with Representative Ron Kind 

Representative Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin)

Chair of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus

 Energy Security 

Panelists discussed the importance of domestically-sourced energy from renewable resources, U.S. business leadership and innovation, and how our investments now can lead to greater energy security, more competitive industry, and the creation of many secure, domestic jobs.

• Joseph Bryan, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Advisor for Climate, Department of Defense (DOD)

• Timothy Unruh, Executive Director, National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)

• Andrew Bochman, Senior Grid Strategist, National & Homeland Security, Idaho National Laboratory (INL)

• Charles Bolden, Director of Congressional Affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)