Conference Agenda
MARC 2026 Annual Conference Forward Momentum — Recognizing the Past, Energizing the Future
June 7-10, 2026
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin
A printable, accessible agenda can be viewed here: LINK
SUNDAY – JUNE 7TH
REGISTRATION
1:00PM – 5:00PM
Grand Terrace, Main Floor
Pick up your conference registration badge and learn more about conference content and things to do in Madison.
EXTERNAL SESSION
12:00 – 4:30PM
Empowering Commissions: Tools and Tactics for Effective Management and Regulation – Hosted by Regulatory Assistance Program (RAP)
Open to pre-registered commissioners and commission staff only.
WELCOME TO WISCONSIN RECEPTION
5:00PM – 6:30PM
Monona Terrace William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens
Join us for a conference-opening celebration overlooking Lake Monona.
MONDAY – JUNE 8TH
REGISTRATION
7:00AM – 4:00PM
Grand Terrace, Main Floor
Pick up your conference registration badge and learn more about conference content and things to do in Madison.
BREAKFAST
7:00AM-9:00AM
Grand Terrace, Main Floor
OPENING SESSION
Madison Ballroom, Main Floor
9:00AM – 10:00AM: Welcome from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Commissioners and Special Guest
Join us as Chairperson Strand, Commissioner Nieto, and Commissioner Hawkins, and a special guest officially kick-off the MARC 2026 Annual Conference.
Speakers:
Chairperson Summer Strand, Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSCW)
Commissioner Kristy Nieto, Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSCW)
Commissioner Marcus Hawkins, Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSCW)
GENERAL SESSION
10:00AM – 11:30AM: Who Run the World: Women Leaders Redefining Male-Dominated Industries
Across industries historically shaped and led by men, women continue to redefine what leadership looks like. This panel brings together accomplished women from diverse sectors to share their experiences, challenges, and unique perspectives. The conversation will explore how qualities such as empathy, collaboration, adaptability, and inclusive decision-making contribute to effective teams and sustainable success. Panelists will also highlight the importance of mentorship, representation, and community engagement in creating pathways for the next generation of women leaders. Attendees can expect a candid and insightful conversation on challenging convention, building influence, and leading authentically while striving for meaningful change.
Moderator: Chairperson Summer Strand, Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSCW)
Panelists:
Maggie Gau, Chief of Staff to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers
Jeannie Cullen Schultz, Co-President at JP Cullen
Amanda Rome, Executive Vice President and Group President – Utilities, Chief Customer Officer, Xcel Energy
Jennifer Anderson, Executive Vice President of Global Corporate Strategy and Development at Generac Power Systems
LUNCH
11:30AM – 1:00PM: Hosted by the Missouri Public Service Commission
Grand Terrace, Main Floor
GENERAL SESSION
1:00PM – 2:15PM
Madison Ballroom, Main Floor
Keeping the Public in “Public Interest”
Moderated by Commissioner Kristy Nieto
As energy issues increasingly shape conversations at kitchen tables, in classrooms, in the media, and in political debate, keeping the public at the forefront of every aspect of the work we do is as important as ever. Public opinion plays a powerful role in shaping legislation, regulatory proceedings, utility planning, and the success of major energy projects. We will explore how public opinion on energy is formed, how trust is earned, and what meaningful public accountability looks like in today’s complex and often divisive environment.
Moderator: Commissioner Kristy Nieto, Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSCW)
Panelists:
Commissioner Hwikwon Ham, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC)
Ann Davis Vaughan, Journalist and Author, The Information
Charles Franklin, Professor of Law and Public Policy and Director of the Marquette Law School Poll at Marquette University Law
Michael Moody, Special Litigation Division Chief at the Michigan Department of Attorney General and NASUCA President
Jon Baker, Vice President of Development, Doral Renewables LLC
NETWORKING BREAK & REFRESHMENTS
2:15PM – 2:45PM
Grand Terrace, Main Floor
GENERAL SESSION
Madison Ballroom, Main Floor
2:45PM – 4:00PM: Back to School – Midwestern Universities Driving Innovation
Moderated by Commissioner Marcus Hawkins
Research universities play a pivotal role in producing breakthroughs that drive the electric industry forward but getting the work of these institutions from the lab to the light switch is no simple feat. Professors at powerhouse Midwestern research universities will discuss their current projects that are bringing academia into the real world. Highlighting the Wisconsin Idea – the principle that the university’s work should benefit all people in Wisconsin – and its midwestern counterparts, this conversation will explore how to develop tomorrow’s workforce, technologies, and regulations.
Moderator: Commissioner Marcus Hawkins, Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSCW)
Panelists:
Chairperson Sarah Martz, Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC)
Giri Venkataramanan, Professor of Engineering Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Electrical & Computer Engineering Department
Lynne Kiesling, Director of the Institute for Regulatory Law & Economics at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Caleb Brooks, Professor and Faculty Scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Grainger College of Engineering
MARC BOARD MEETING
4:15PM – 5:00PM
Hall of Ideas F & G, Main Floor
This meeting is restricted to MARC Commissioners only.
OFF-SITE POWER HOURS
4:30 – 6:00PM
Looking to keep the MARC dialogue going after formal sessions end? Attend one of our unofficial Power Hours! Choose from a range of relevant topics and unique locations.
Power Hour Descriptions and Locations
Please note: Hours are not sponsored by MARC, nor are they part of the official MARC agenda.
TUESDAY – JUNE 9TH
REGISTRATION
7:00AM – 4:30PM
Pick up your conference registration badge and learn more about conference content and things to do in Madison
Community Terrace, Mezzanine Lakeside (Level 2)
BREAKFAST
7:00AM-9:00AM
Grab-and-Go Options
Community Terrace (Level 2)
TOURS
8:00AM – 12:30PM (times vary)
Curbside Embassy Hotel
See the tour information page for more details and to sign up.
LUNCH
11:00AM – 1:00PM
Boxed Lunch Options
Community Terrace (Level 2)
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Breakout Session #1
1:00PM – 2:00PM
Power to the People: How Regulators and Policymakers Can Break the Cycle of Energy Poverty with Targeted Affordability Programs
Energy affordability is an escalating challenge nationwide, and elected officials and regulators are responding by pursuing new and expanded affordability-related policies and programs. This panel will discuss a range of options under consideration and being utilized to help reduce energy burden for low-income and other vulnerable customers. It will also address how policymakers and utility commissions can define their responsibilities and work in tandem to combat energy poverty.
Room: Lecture Hall, Main Floor West
Moderator: Commissioner Maida Coleman, Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Panelists:
Joe Daniel, Principal at Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
Laura Schauer, Executive Vice President at E Source
Anne Armstrong, Director of the Customer Service Assistance Division at the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Carrie Templeton, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Policy at Alliant Energy
Corey Singletary, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Wisconsin Citizen Utilities Board CUB
Advanced Energy United assisted in the planning of this session.
Every Drop Counts: Balancing Water Reliability, Affordability, Safety, and Environmental Responsibility
In this session, panelists will unpack the complex balancing act state commissions and water utilities must undertake. Water is the only utility service that customers physically ingest, thereby necessitating absolute safety and compliance with applicable water quality standards. At the same time, the water sector faces a myriad of compounding challenges including aging infrastructure, evolving environmental regulations, natural hazards, and escalating physical and cybersecurity risks. Adding to this complexity is a highly fragmented industry encompassing everything from large, sophisticated investor-owned-utilities to small publicly owned systems with limited financial and workforce resources. The panel will explore actionable solutions to ensure every drop of water meets rigorous quality standards without compromising system reliability, customer affordability, and environmental responsibility.
Room: Meeting Rooms K-P, Main Floor West
Moderator: Commissioner Erik Helland, Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC)
Panelists:
Commissioner John Mitchell, Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water
Manny Teodoro, Professor of Public Affairs at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Rebecca Ewald, Village Manager of Shorewood Municipal Water Utility
David Carter, President at Aqua Illinois
Fire & Ice: Best Practices for Managing Climate Risks
From dangerous polar vortexes and severe heat to catastrophic floods and heightened wildfire risk, Mid-American states are experiencing increasingly volatile and more frequent extreme weather events that challenge system reliability. In response, utilities are prioritizing risk mitigation and accelerating investments in resilient infrastructure such as system hardening and advanced monitoring technologies. This panel will examine how resilience planning is adapting in the face of these climate challenges and will identify strategic frameworks states and utilities can use to determine risks and develop priorities. Panelists will also discuss potential solutions that highlight the importance of being prepared and investing in a more resilient grid.
Room: Meeting Rooms M-R, Main Floor West
Moderator: Commissioner Courtney Hjaltman, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) – Commissioner Courtney K. Hjaltman
Tim Tessier, Chief of Staff and Utility Administrator at the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate
Pearl Donohoo-Vallett, Technical Advisor to Commissioner Judy Chang at Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Rebecca O’Neil, Research Principal at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Karl Hoesly, President of Xcel Energy – Wisconsin and Michigan
Indran “Indy” Ratnathicam, Chief Growth Officer at Technosylva
REFRESHMENTS
2:00PM – 2:15PM
Community Terrace (Level 2)
Breakout Session #2
2:15PM – 3:15PM
Don’t Tell me No Lies and Keep Your Hands to Yourself: Federal and State Jurisdictional Turmoil
A bright line no more, the jurisdictional boundary between federal and state utility regulation and energy policy has been increasingly blurred – a trend that has greatly accelerated over the last year. Panelists will first level-set the conversation with a brief overview of the Federal Power Act and the foundational underpinnings of the dual regulatory framework. Then, there is no shortage of current issues to discuss including FERC Order 1920, transmission cost allocation, resource planning, FERC’s large load interconnection proceeding, the rollback of renewable energy initiatives, DOE’s 202(c) orders preventing planned coal plant retirements, proposed federal permitting reform, and more. The discussion will provide context on the rationale for the recent escalation and dialogue about the significance of jurisdictional turmoil, potential impacts, and predictions for what lies ahead. Don’t miss this timely and relevant discussion!
Room: Lecture Hall, Main Floor West
Moderator: Chairperson Doug Scott, Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)
Panelists:
Commissioner Shaquila Myers, Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Commissioner Emeritus Tony Clark, Executive Director at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)
Mel Barnes, Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Tony Evers
Tom Content, Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin
Noel Black, Chief Regulatory and External Affairs Officer at Algonquin Power
Charging Forward: The EVolving Landscape of Transportation Electrification
Despite rapidly changing economic conditions and dramatic political shifts, leaders across industry and government continue to drive momentum for transportation electrification. This panel will provide the latest updates on regulatory and policy developments and the continued build-out of charging infrastructure. Panelists will also discuss new market trends while highlighting partnerships and collaborative strategies aimed at accelerating consumer adoption and fleet electrification.
Room: Meeting Rooms K-P, Main Floor West
Moderator: Chairperson Dan Scripps, Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Panelists:
Kathy Kuntz, Director of the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change
Deb Erwin, Senior Directory of Regulatory Policy and Rates at WPPI Energy
Adam Schwartz, Electric Vehicle Charging Program Manager at Kwik Trip
Bruce Edelston, Senior Advisor at the Alliance for Transportation Electrification
DSM Me ASAP: Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Resources to Meet the Moment
Check your messages, its demand side management! Energy efficiency and demand response are widely available, rapidly deployable, low-cost tools for responding to the pressures of load growth and forecast uncertainty. Yet business-as usual approaches do not maximize the benefits of energy efficiency and demand response within grid planning and procurement activities. This session will explore how broad and accelerated utilization of demand side resources benefits customers, utilities, and RTOs. Panelists will also discuss pathways to overcome deployment barriers. Different DM, same urgency.
Room: Meeting Rooms M-R, Main Floor West
Moderator: Commissioner Ann McCabe, Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)
Panelists:
Mike Specian, Research Manager at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Sarah Moskowitz, Executive Director at Citizens Utility Board Illinois
Tricia DeBleeckere, Executive Director of the Organization of MISO States (OMS)
Kurt Coutain, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs & Market Development at Kraken
Erinn Monroe-Nye, Energy Service and Policy Manager, Madison Gas and Electric
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) assisted in the planning of this session.
REFRESHMENTS
3:15PM – 3:30PM
Community Terrace (Level 2)
Breakout Session #3
3:30PM-4:30PM
Midwestern Nice: Air, Water, and Energy Collaboration on Large Load Impacts
Get ready to lean into that Midwestern Nice mindset and put on your cross-disciplinary thinking caps! In this session, regulators and industry experts will discuss why collaboration is key for the holistic evaluation of large load impacts and how to facilitate that collaboration. Panelists will first level-set the conversation by highlighting issues of common concern across the air, water, and energy regulation of large loads. The discussion will then focus on questions to ask, data to collect, strategies to employ, as well as successful examples that illustrate the value of collaboration.
Room: Lecture Hall, Main Floor West
Moderator: Chairperson Kayla Hahn, Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Panelists:
Commissioner Emeritus Becky Valcq – President of Wisconsin Power & Light and Vice President of Energy Delivery at Alliant Energy
Nancy Seidman, Senior Advisor at Regulatory Assistance Program (RAP) – Nancy Seidman – Regulatory Assistance Project
Amelia Vohs, Climate Program Director at Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
Brad Nielsen, President at Iowa American Water
Justin Grady, Director – Utilities Division, Kansas Corporation Commission
Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) assisted in the planning of this session.
New Tech to the (Low Risk) Rescue!
Fusion, and long-term battery storage, and GETs, oh my! This panel will highlight some innovative technologies that may eventually help achieve important objectives including grid optimization and the further proliferation of carbon-free generation, while supporting reliability and mitigating potential environmental and cost impacts. Panelists will explain the various technologies and benefits of scaled utilization. The dialogue will also cover deployment timelines, barriers to implementation, and strategies to protect customers from associated financial risks.
Room: Meeting Rooms K-P, Main Floor West
Moderator: Commissioner Stacey Paradis, Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)
Panelists:
Dominick Bindl, VP of Technical Development at Realta Fusion
Mark Thompson, Senior Director of State Affairs and Form Energy
Ben Holtzman, Director of New Nuclear at the Nuclear Energy Institute
Hilary Pearson, Vice President Policy & External Affairs at LineVision
By Local: Maximizing the Economic Benefits of Utility-Scale Construction With Local Workforce
Large infrastructure construction projects are often touted as economic development drivers, and for good reason—they can boost economies in communities at or near project sites. However, research shows these benefits are far greater when local workers are employed on these projects rather than transient, out-of-state labor. This panel will examine how regulatory commissions evaluate and verify economic benefit claims, track local workforce participation, and assess how local labor improves project delivery and performance. Panelists will also discuss workforce development strategies—including apprenticeship programs, skills training, and community-based recruitment—and how these initiatives can build a strong local labor pipeline.
Room: Meeting Rooms M-R, Main Floor West
Moderator: Chairperson Katie Sieben, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC)
Panelists:
Chynna Hampton, Equity Director for Climate Jobs Illinois
Lee Graham, Executive Director at Operating Engineers 324 Labor Management Education Committee
Cindy Buchko, General Counsel at Construction Business Group Wisconsin
Kevin Pranis, Marketing Manager at LiUNA Minnesota & North Dakota
Construction Business Group Wisconsin assisted in the planning of this session.
RECEPTION
5:30PM-8:30PM
Garver Field Mill
Shuttles run from 5:15PM – 8:30PM
Join us for a night of fun at an award-winning event space on Madison’s near East Side. Beginning at 5:15 PM, shuttles will depart every 15 minutes from Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in front of Monona Terrace.
WEDNESDAY– JUNE 10TH
REGISTRATION
7:00AM – 12:30PM
Staff can assist with luggage storage and other logistics.
Community Terrace (Level 2)
BREAKFAST
7:00AM-9:00AM
Community Terrace (Level 2)
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
INTENSIVE BREAKOUT SESSION
8:30AM – 11:15AM
Getting to Win-Win-Wins: Collaborative Problem Solving for Load Growth
Facilitated by Advanced Energy United, Clean Grid Alliance, and Smart Electric Power Alliance
Round out MARC with an interactive exploration of creative collaboration and problem solving for grid reliability, resource adequacy, and customer affordability in the new load growth paradigm. Through expert presentations, a stakeholder panel, Q&A, peer learning and discussion, this session offers an engaging deep dive into the latest developments, solutions, and tools across mid America to leave attendees with actionable insights to realize “win-win-wins” for ratepayers, the grid, and states. What is the art of the possible leveraging “speed to power” to enable large loads to be a part of reliability and affordability solutions, including through flexibility and distributed capacity and regulatory frameworks like tariffs? How can states, regulators, and utilities collaborate and tap into opportunities stemming from data center-driven load growth to make the most of existing infrastructure and deliver broad and concrete grid and customer benefits? What RTO and wholesale market enabling conditions, considerations, and state-level actions are in play for the MARC region? Where is work at growth edges of the grid and utility regulation already under way, and how is that playing out from utility, consumer, large load, and regulator perspectives?
Room: Exhibit Hall A, Ground Floor
Facilitator: Lakin Garth, Senior Director, Grid Strategies, Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
Presentations:
How can large customers connect to and contribute to the grid for reliability and affordability benefits? – Charles Cannon, Manager at Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Climate Intelligence Program
Evolving tariff structures for resource procurement, flexibility, and system benefits – Commissioner Emeritus Angela Navarro, President of Align Energy Advisors
Bringing it home to MARC: RTO and wholesale market considerations – David Sapper, Vice President, Transmission & Markets at Clean Grid Alliance
Multi-Stakeholder Panel and Discussion:
Panel Moderator: Commissioner Josh Byrnes, Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) –
Panelists:
Commissioner Emeritus Tyler Huebner, Google Energy Market Development
Commissioner Emeritus Carrie Zalewski, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Government Affairs and Policy at Constellation
Commissioner Emeritus Sarah Freeman, Principal at Regulatory Assistance Program (RAP)
Michael Moody, Special Litigation Division Chief at the Michigan Department of Attorney General and NASUCA President
BREAKOUT SESSION #1
9:00AM – 10:00AM
Hot Takes: Performance Based Ratemaking, Panacea or Proceed with Caution?
Is performance-based regulation (PBR) a desirable, innovative, and viable alternative to traditional cost-of-service ratemaking? Can PBR help regulators better balance safety, reliability, and affordability in a time of dynamic change, significant investment, and heightened affordability concerns? Or is PBR a potential cautionary tale, fraught with implementation challenges and diminished by limited reach and impact? This panel will provide multiple perspectives on the application of PBR and identify lessons learned from experiences to date.
Room: Lecture Hall, Main Floor West
Moderator: Commissioner Anthony Swinger, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC)
Panelists:
Nick Crowley, Vice President at Christensen Associates Energy Consulting
Bill Malcolm, Government Affairs Director at AARP
Camille Kadoch, Principal and General Counsel at Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)
Gennelle Wilson, Manager of Electric Utility Regulation & Policy at Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
Steve Kihm, Regulatory Strategist, Economics & Finance at Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin
Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) assisted in the planning of this session.
Harvesting Connections: Exploring the Role of Natural Gas in Agriculture
Like other sectors of the American economy, energy plays an integral role in modern agriculture. This session will examine how natural gas is utilized across the agricultural supply chain, from its use as a feedstock for fertilizer production to powering farms and agricultural facilities. Panelists will also discuss the important relationship between natural gas infrastructure development and rural expansion and modernization.
Room: Meeting Rooms M-R, Main Floor West
Moderator:
Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC)
Panelists:
Kyle Buros, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Jo-Carroll Energy or JCE Co
Commissioner Emeritus Nick Wagner, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Black Hills Energy
Jeff Husen, Vice President Rates and Regulatory at ONE Gas
Still Buffering: Broadband and Telecommunications Dispatches from the Heartland
Hold the phone! While significant progress has been made, telecommunications and broadband access, adoption, and affordability barriers remain throughout the MARC region. Panelists will provide updates on key trends and emerging issues related to these essential services. This session will also take an in-depth look at the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program including state experiences, next steps, and ongoing challenges such as coverage gaps and maintenance funding.
Room: Meeting Rooms K-P, Main Floor West
Moderator: Commissioner Conrad Reddick, Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)
Panelists:
Commissioner Dan Watermeier, Nebraska Public Service Commission (NPSC)
Alyssa Kenney, Director of the Wisconsin Broadband Office
Paul Vasington, Senior Director of Public Policy at Verizon
Angie Dickison, State Government Affairs Manager at TDS Telecommunications
Ben Aron, Assistant Vice President at CTIA
REFRESHMENTS
10:00AM – 10:15AM
Community Terrace (Level 2)
BREAKOUT SESSION #2
10:15AM – 11:15AM
Communication Breakdown: Strategies for Communicating Complexity with Clarity
As energy and utility issues receive more attention and scrutiny than ever before, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively is of utmost importance. This session will explore strategies for conveying complex and technical information in accessible and engaging ways, and across audiences with varying levels of energy literacy. Panelists will discuss practical approaches such as using plain language, reducing reliance on jargon and acronyms, and centering audience perspectives to foster productive conversations, improve understanding, and support effective engagement.
Room: Lecture Hall, Main Floor West
Moderator: Chairperson Summer Strand, Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSCW)
Panelists:
Kristin Gilkes, Executive Director of the Customers First Coalition
Anne Rodriguez, Assistant Vice President of Communications and Marketing at WPPI Energy
Chris Hubbuch, Science Writer at the Wisconsin Energy Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Cori Rude-Young, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Monsherra Blank SPP, Regulatory Policy Manager at Southwest Power Pool (SPP)
The Hire Wire Act: Balancing the Costs, Benefits, and Physics of Transmission Planning
No longer a siloed afterthought, transmission planning is now a big part of the energy conversation. This panel will articulate what regulators should know when analyzing the costs and benefits of transmission projects and will provide insight into how increased variability and the introduction of new large loads impact the grid. Panelists will also discuss the latest developments in transmission planning processes and new technologies and policy changes that may affect planning processes and transmission decisions going forward.
Room: Meeting Rooms M-R, Main Floor West
Moderator: Commissioner Joe Sullivan, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) – Joe Sullivan / Public Utilities Commission
Panelists:
Madeline Gould Laughlin, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Grid United
Steve Gaw, Senior Vice President of Markets and Infrastructure for the Advanced Power Alliance
Liz Salerno, Principal at GQS New Energy Strategies
Line Roald, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison
REFRESHMENTS
11:15AM – 11:30AM
Community Terrace
CLOSING SESSION
11:30AM – 12:15PM
Lecture Hall, Main Floor West
POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
12:30 – 4:30PM
Leveraging Financial Tools to Lower Energy Bills
Hosted by Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
Open to pre-registered commissioners, commission staff, and consumer advocates.
How can financial decisions within regulatory control be used to meet affordability needs and address load growth, all while maintaining utility financial integrity? Participants will start by exploring the distinction between cost of equity (COE) and return on equity (ROE), the impact of debt-to-equity ratios, approaches to reforming how ROE is set, the implications for credit ratings and ultimately customer bills. Commissioners, commission staff, and consumer advocates will hear directly from peers and technical experts on how these tools have been applied in practice and the tradeoffs involved.
Session timing is subject to change but unlikely.
The PSCW is continuing to confirm moderators and participants. Breakout session information and participants will be updated as details are finalized. Stay tuned!
Updated as of 6/4/2026