[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1971-1972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-909]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD02-6-000]


Northeast Energy Infrastructure Conference; Notice of Technical 
Conference and Agenda

January 8, 2002.
    As announced in the Notice of Conference issued on December 11,

[[Page 1972]]

2001, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a conference 
on January 31, 2002 to discuss issues regarding energy infrastructure 
in the northeastern states. This one-day conference will begin at 8:30 
a.m.\1\ and end approximately at 4 p.m., and will be held at the 
Helmsley Park Lane Hotel, 36 Central Park South, New York, New York. 
All interested persons are invited to attend.
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    \1\ This reflects a change in starting time from the December 
11, 2001 notice.
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    The conference will discuss the adequacy of the electric, gas and 
hydropower infrastructure in the Northeast, and related matters. The 
FERC Commissioners will attend and the Governors of the northeastern 
states have been invited to participate. The goal of this conference is 
to identify present infrastructure conditions, needs, investment and 
other barriers to expansion, and environmental and landowner concerns. 
We look forward to an informative discussion of the issues to clarify 
how the FERC can facilitate and enhance a comprehensive collaborative 
approach to energy infrastructure development and reliability for the 
northeastern states. It is our firm belief that an adequate, well-
functioning energy infrastructure is a keystone of workable, 
competitive energy markets.
    The conference Agenda is appended to this Notice. As the attached 
Agenda and this Notice indicate, the purpose of the conference is to 
discuss regional infrastructure issues. The conference is not intended 
to deal with issues pending in individually docketed cases before the 
Commission, such as applications involving hydropower, natural gas 
certificates, or the formation of Regional Transmission Organizations 
(RTOs). Therefore, all participants are requested to focus on the 
agenda topics and avoid discussing the merits of individual cases.

Opportunities for Listening to and Obtaining Transcripts of the 
Conference

    The Capitol Connection will offer this meeting live via telephone 
coverage for a fee. There will not be live video coverage or videotapes 
of the conference. To find out more about the Capitol Connection's 
phone bridge, contact David Reininger or Julia Morelli (703-993-3100), 
or go to www.capitolconnection.gmu.edu.
    Audio tapes of the meeting will be available from VISCOM (703-715-
7999).
    Additionally, transcripts of the conference will be available from 
Ace Reporting Company (202-347-3700), for a fee. The transcript will be 
available on the Commission's RIMS system two weeks after the 
conference.
    As indicated in the December 11, 2001 notice, hotel rooms have been 
blocked at the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel (212-371-4000) under the name 
of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for any attending guests to 
reserve a one- or two-night stay, but unreserved rooms will be released 
by January 15, 2002.
    Questions about the conference program should be directed to: Carol 
Connors, Office of External Affairs, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, 202-208-0870, 
[email protected].

C.B. Spencer,
Acting Secretary.

Agenda for FERC's Northeast Energy Infrastructure Conference

Helmsley Park Lane Hotel, New York, NY.

    January 31, 2002.
I. Opening Remarks and Introductions--8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Chairman Pat Wood, Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell, Commissioner 
William Massey and Commissioner Linda Breathitt
II. Overview of Current Energy Infrastructure--9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
     Jeff Wright, Office of Energy Projects, FERC
III. Forecasts for Future Energy Use and Economic Impacts of Energy--
9:30 to 10 a.m.
What is the Northeast region's economic and demographic outlook over 
the coming decade?
What is the forecasted growth in energy needs?
How much energy is available and at what prices?
Where is additional energy needed?
     Mary Novak, Managing Director-Energy Consulting, DRI-WEFA
     Scott Sitzer, Acting Director, EIA
Break--10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
IV. Near-term Energy Infrastructure Needs and Adequacy of Supplies--
10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What are the high priority infrastructure needs for today?
What happens if these are not built?

Roundtable discussion on infrastructure improvements needed in 
electric, hydroelectric, and natural gas facilities.
     Steve Whitley, Senior V.P., New England ISO
     Craig Frew, President, New England Gas Association
     Andre Caille, President/CEO, Hydro Quebec
     Eric Gustafson, V.P.--Transportation & Technology, Buckeye 
Pipeline
     Douglas M. Logan, Principal, Platt's RDI Consulting
     Representative from U.S. EPA
Lunch Break--12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
V. Identifying Factors Affecting Adequate Energy Infrastructure, 
Investment, and Alternative Actions--1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Why is needed infrastructure delayed or not being built?
What barriers have to be overcome?
What can state and federal governments do to overcome these barriers?
Do alternatives exist to new infrastructure projects?

Roundtable discussion of energy infrastructure barriers (e.g., to 
siting, construction, or investment) and alternatives to construction.

     Pete Dunbar, Director, Maryland Power Plant Research 
Program
     Richard Kruse, Senior V.P., Duke Energy Gas Transmission
     Ron Erd, Mirant Corp.
     Richard Cowart, Director, Regulatory Assistance Project
     Eugene R. McGrath, Chairman/CEO/Pres., Consolidated Edison 
Co. NY
     Ashok Gupta, Director--Air/Energy, Natural Resources 
Defense Council
     Sonny Popowsky, Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate
     Debra Coy, V.P. & Utilities Analyst, Charles Schwab & Co.
VI. Discussion by State and Federal Officials of Next Steps and Closing 
Remarks by FERC Commissioners--3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
     Glenn Booth, Chief Economist, Canadian National Energy 
Board
     Maureen Helmer, Chairwoman, NY Public Service Commission
     Invited Governors and State Commissioners
[FR Doc. 02-909 Filed 1-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P