Moderator:

Arshad Mansoor, President & CEO – Electric Power Research Institute

Panelitsts:

Don Tarry, President & CEO – TXNM Energy | Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President & CEO – Xcel Energy | Lisa Grow, President & CEO – IDACORP & Idaho Power | Rob West, Chief Executive Officer – Algonquin Power & Utilities

Synopsis:

The utility industry is undergoing a profound transformation, redefining the modern energy grid through innovation, resilience, and strategic investment. Capital investment in energy infrastructure continues to reach record highs, fueled by accelerating demand for electricity, diversifying generation sources, major expansions in transmission capacity, and ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Amidst this dynamic shift, utility leaders are charting the course — navigating changes in demand, regulation, and the supply chain, all while constructing critical infrastructure necessary for the urgent and evolving needs of customers. This panel brings together seasoned leaders to discuss how they are managing the unprecedented changes taking place in the industry, driving operational excellence, and shaping long-term, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions that serve customers, communities, and the country.

Moderator:

Marc Spieler, Senior Managing Director, Energy – NVIDIA

Panelists:

Chris Ellis, Chief Executive Officer – Edged Infrastructure | Jennifer Ruch, Energy & Sustainability Director – Oracle | Judith Judson, SVP, Energy, North America – Vantage Data Centers | Andy Kirby, Partner, AMERS Data Center Construction – Microsoft

Synopsis:

As digital infrastructure scales at unprecedented speed, data center developers are no longer just tenants of the grid — they’re reshaping it. This power-packed panel brings together industry giants at the center of the load boom to discuss the real-world challenges of deploying at hyperscale. Hear firsthand how the industry is navigating grid congestion, fast-tracking deployments, and partnering with utilities to meet the explosive demands of AI. From permitting delays to power procurement, and utility coordination to policy headwinds, hear how fast we can build the future — directly from those building the digital backbone of the economy.

Moderators

Duke Austin, President & CEO – Quanta Services | Karl Studer, EVP, Electric – Quanta Services

Panelist

Peter Marsiguerra, Senior Superintendent – Cupertino Electric | Kevin Bigelow, Manager, Construction – Quanta Services | Jerry Carrow, Director, Field Operations – Quanta Services

Moderator:

Pablo Vegas, President & CEO – Electric Reliability Council of Texas

Panelists:

Jim Burke, President & CEO – Vistra | Hunter Armistead, Chief Executive Officer – Pattern Energy | Rick Anderson, SVP & SPO – East – Georgia Power

Synopsis:

The explosive growth in power demand from data centers is creating fresh opportunities across the energy sector, pushing both utilities and developers to adapt. Our panelists will address the growing demand for natural gas generation projects to support AI centers, while providing updates on renewable generation efforts aimed at ensuring resource adequacy aligned with federal policies. We’ll explore strategies for meeting this accelerating demand, enhancing grid resilience, and advancing sustainable solutions tailored to data center needs. Additionally, we’ll examine how regulated utilities are shifting beyond traditional rate-based models to capitalize on this transformative growth as a foundation for long-term earnings.

Synopsis:

This fireside chat brings together former FERC chairmen Neil Chatterjee and Willie Phillips to share their perspectives on the evolving energy regulatory landscape and its implications for utility strategy and operations. Their conversation will explore how FERC is addressing grid reliability, transmission development, and market structure reform in response to shifting demands and technologies. They’ll also highlight the importance of effective coordination between federal and state authorities, as well as how regulatory frameworks are adapting to support investment, innovation, and long-term system resilience. Utility executives will gain practical insights into federal priorities that directly impact infrastructure planning and regulatory compliance.

The Honorable Willie Phillips

Former Chairman – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Chairman Willie L. Phillips was nominated to the FERC by President Joe Biden in September 2021. He was confirmed unanimously by the Senate and took office on December 3, 2021. He served as chairman from January 2023 to April 2025 and led the approval of reforms that accelerated the interconnection of energy generation projects to the electric grid. Under his leadership, the commission revamped long-term and regional transmission planning, advanced grid reliability against extreme weather, and addressed cyber and physical security threats to interstate electric, natural gas, and oil pipelines in the U.S.

The Honorable Neil Chatterjee

Former Chairman – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Chairman Neil Chatterjee was nominated to the FERC by President Donald Trump in May 2017 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in August 2017. He served as chairman from August 2017 to December 2017 and was named chairman again in October 2018. Prior to joining the Commission, he served as energy policy advisor to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in the passage of major energy, highway, and agriculture legislation.

Moderator:

Scott Aaronson, SVP, Energy Security & Industry Operations – Edison Electric Institute

Panelists:

Jill Anderson, EVP & COO – Southern California Edison | Michelle Vargo, SVP, Energy Operations – Puget Sound Energy | Todd Conner, SVP, Distribution – Xcel Energy | Emily Henson, Regional SVP, Power Grid Operations – Carolinas – Duke Energy

Synopsis:

In this executive panel, utility leaders will share how they are tackling the evolving challenges of electric distribution — from integrating distributed energy resources and managing electrification, to prioritizing investments amid affordability pressures and competing capital demands. Panelists will discuss how they are modernizing aging infrastructure, advancing resilience strategies, and accelerating the shift toward a more decentralized, flexible grid.

Synopsis:

This panel will delve into the major trends shaping electric transmission with a focus on rising demand, strategic grid modernization, and the integration of clean energy resources. Panelists will highlight key challenges in permitting, workforce readiness, and supply chain resilience, while exploring solutions that can accelerate progress. Ultimately, the panel aims to provide a forward-looking view of how stakeholders can prepare for the evolving grid landscape.

Steve Fleishman

Managing Director & Senior Analyst – Wolfe Research

Steve Fleishman is a managing director and senior analyst at Wolfe Research covering the utilities and clean energy sectors. He has been ranked #1 in utilities over 16 times in the Extel “All-America Research Team” poll and was named to the Extel Magazine Research Hall of Fame in 2011. Steve and his team were ranked # 1 in utilities and runner-up in clean energy and midstream in the latest 2024 Extel All-America Research poll. Steve also serves on the executive committee of Wolfe Research.

George Bilicic

Vice Chairman of Investment Banking, Global Head of Power, Energy & Infrastructure – Lazard

George Bilicic heads Lazard’s global power, energy, and infrastructure group, an effort including power and utilities, oil and gas, pipelines and midstream, all aspects of the “energy transition,” infrastructure, agribusiness and nutrition, and certain general industry clients. He also serves on the firm’s global executive committee. George’s areas of activity include mergers and acquisitions, activism and traditional takeover defense, capital structure advice, capital raising, special committee and other board advisory roles, restructurings, long-term client advisory work, and others.

Humayun Tai

Senior Partner – McKinsey

Humayun Tai is a senior partner and leads McKinsey’s global energy and materials sector, which includes the global electric power and natural gas practice. He is also a member of McKinsey’s board. Humayun has worked with energy companies, utilities, private equity players, and clean tech companies over the past 25 years across all aspects of industry disruption, operations, strategy, and growth across electric and gas. He is also a regular panelist and participant in key industry events, including EEI, EPRI, McKinsey@COP26, FT Moral Money, Climate Week, NARUC, Gridweek, Harvard Electricity Policy Group, and senior industry roundtables.

Moderator:

Rob Gramlich, Founder & President – Grid Strategies

Panelists:

Stacey Burbure, SVP, Transmission Business Development & JVs – American Electric Power | Paul Chodak, EVP & COO – Eversource Energy | Melvin Roland, SVP, Transmission – Georgia Power | Toby Thomas, Chief Operating Officer – FirstEnergy

Synopsis:

This panel will delve into the major trends shaping electric transmission with a focus on rising demand, strategic grid modernization, and the integration of clean energy resources. Panelists will highlight key challenges in permitting, workforce readiness, and supply chain resilience, while exploring solutions that can accelerate progress. Ultimately, the panel aims to provide a forward-looking view of how stakeholders can prepare for the evolving grid landscape.

Moderator:

Brian Weisker, Senior Vice President – Duke Energy // President – Piedmont Natural Gas

Panelists:

Tina Faraca, EVP & COO, Natural Gas Pipelines – TC Energy | Cynthia Hansen, EVP & President, Gas Transmission & Midstream – Enbridge | Chad Zamarin, President & CEO – Williams | Bob Myles, CEO, Canadian Utilities Limited – ATCO

Synopsis:

On May 29, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a procedural safeguard – not a substantive barrier – to agency decision-making. This landmark decision curtails judicial overreach and streamlines environmental reviews, paving the way for long-delayed energy infrastructure projects. That same day, Williams Pipeline filed a federal application to revive its NESE project, expanding its Transco natural gas network across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with support from the Administration.

Canada is also moving to accelerate approvals for energy infrastructure. For example, the new Canadian federal government has introduced legislation to fast-track projects deemed in the “national interest,” including pipelines and export infrastructure (Bill C-5), and has signaled its interest in regulatory and policy reform to encourage investment. These reforms reflect a broader commitment to enabling infrastructure that meets rising demand from LNG exports, power generation, and data centers.

What impact will these reforms have on the energy market’s ability to serve natural load growth? How can industry capitalize on this momentum to build pipelines and add compression for emerging high-demand sectors?

Moderator:

Jason Grumet, Chief Executive Officer – American Clean Power

Panelists:

Carim Khouzami, EVP, Transmission & Development – Exelon | Sheldon Kimber, CEO & Founder – Intersect | Sasha Weintraub, EVP & CCO – Duke Energy | Richard Medina, Chief Energy Delivery Officer – CPS Energy

Synopsis:

As the energy industry navigates the multi-pronged challenge of aging infrastructure and increasing demand, balancing affordability, reliability, safety, and risk has become increasingly complex. This panel will explore how energy providers are addressing these challenges through strategic investment, innovation, and evolving approaches to resilience — all while meeting customer and regulatory expectations.