Electrification of water heating, space heating, and transportation can provide a multitude of benefits: lower consumer energy bills, improved grid management, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollutants. Electrification can provide those benefits, but only if properly implemented.

This conference will examine the conditions under which electrification can produce those benefits for consumers, utilities, and society, and the policy considerations needed to increase electrification. Presenters will discuss specific examples of electrification, as well as other trends, initiatives, principles, strategies, and metrics for policy makers to consider. Attendees will learn strategies to evaluate and strengthen electrification programs in their states.

This event is made possible through a collaboration between the Regulatory Assistance Project and the Institute for Energy and the Environment at Vermont Law School.

Agenda:

10:00AM - Introduction: Beneficial Electrification - Electrification in the Public Interest

Presenter: David Farnsworth, Regulatory Assistance Project

10:30AM - Panel One: Electrification Trends Across the US

Moderator: Professor Mark James, Vermont Law School

Speakers:

- Karen Glitman (Center for Sustainable Energy)

- Jordan Stutt (Acadia Center)

11:45AM - Lunch and Keynote

Keynote Speaker: Richard Cowart, Regulatory Assistance Project

1:00PM - Panel Two - Responses and Discussion

How will electrification trends affect Vermont and New England? What have we managed so far, and what needs to happen for us to take advantage of these opportunities?

Moderator: Rick Weston, Regulatory Assistance Project

Speakers:

- Professor Kevin Jones, (Director of Institute for Energy and the Environment, Vermont Law School)

- Sue Minter (Capstone)

- Peter Walke (Deputy Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources)

- Mackay Miller (National Grid)

- D. Maurice Kreis (Consumer Advocate at NH Office of the Consumer Advocate)

2:00PM - Closing remarks

Jennifer Rushlow, Associate Dean for Environmental Programs, Vermont Law School

Lunch will be provided.

For more information or questions, please contact Molly Smith, Program Coordinator at the Institute for Energy and the Environment, at msmith@vermontlaw.edu or 802-831-1151.

Electrification: Why it Makes Sense and Can Be in the Public Interest