Breaking News

 May 30, 2012
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MDT

Utilities’ generation portfolios are changing—often faster than the infrastructure that supports it—and power providers now face the challenge of integrating new generation and demand (load) response technologies into a grid that was designed to operate a different way. Western, the U.S. DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs and the DOE Tribal Energy Program invite tribal utility managers and resource engineers to Today’s Energy Supply – Yesterday’s Grid, a free, informative webinar May 30 to explore strategies for meeting these demands.

Speakers include experts from the DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, the MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research and the Western Grid Group. Presentations will cover:

1. Key findings in the MIT Energy Initiative Report on the changes needed in the US Grid to handle expected challenges such as the influx of electric cars and wind and solar generation
2. Western Grid Group’s Clean Energy Vision Project, which charts a sustained, orderly transition from the carbon intensive electricity system of today to a cleaner, smarter and healthier electricity system of the future.

There is no charge to attend the webinar, however you must register to participate.

Feb. 7-8, 2012
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Denver, Colo.

The Department of Energy’s Office of  Indian Energy Policy and Programs and the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability are sponsoring the second Tribal Leader Forum, Exploring the Business Link Opportunity: Transmission & Clean Energy Development in the West.  This  two-day forum is designed for tribal leaders to  meet with other tribal leaders, energy industry executives and Federal officials to promote education and information sharing about transmission and clean energy development in Indian Country.

The basics of transmission will be featured on the first day to provide context to transmission regulation, development, interconnection and service and financing issues to be discussed throughout the event.  Attendees will also learn the latest on Federal and regional transmission developments and planning activities in the West and explore recent trends in financing clean energy projects. The event will also provide tribal leaders and executives with the opportunity to directly discuss best practices in tribal project partnerships and investments. 

The agenda covers such topics as transmission project updates, project financing, new technologies and tribal case studies. The speakers represent tribes, industry groups, private developers, utilities and state and Federal agencies. Western Administrator Tim Meeks will lead a discussion on Federal projects to expand transmission in the West.

Transmission and Clean Energy Development is the second in a series of events the Office of Indian Energy is planning. The Southwest Solar Forum, held in Palm Springs, Calif., in December 2011, was well-attended by major utilities as well as tribal representatives.

There is no cost to attend the forum, but registration is required.  Attendance is limited to 130 people.  To register, send your name, contact information and e-mail address to the Office of Indian Energy by Feb. 1, 2012.  As soon as your registration is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation notice.