Agenda – 2024

The population is growing, demand for electricity is soaring and we are in a race to net-zero emissions. How can natural gas help?

This Panel examines natural gas market fundamentals in the northeast U.S. The Panel is comprised of leading industry analysts who present up-to-the-minute market data and contextual interpretation. Topics addressed include:

•Supply / Demand: current balances and forecasts
•Price: forecasts; volatility assessment
•Market Influences: LNG Exports; midstream infrastructure; powergen; data centers; etc.
•Renewables: impacts on markets
•Weather: forecasting; hurricane activity; seasonal; temperatures; impacts on markets

The information presented and discussed provides an excellent foundation and factual reference resource for the overall agenda and ensuing discussions.

Policy, regulatory and NGO resistance to continued development of natural gas markets is building. This panel examines several innovative solutions being employed by leading stakeholders to overcome these headwinds. Examples include virtual pipeline, mobile energy solutions, RNG, project development and construction, as well as traditional pipeline transportation innovations.

America’s appetite for electricity is growing rapidly and natural gas is a well-positioned solution to reliably meet this demand. In this Keynote presentation, hear from Paul Ruppert as he shares his insight into the industry alongside the challenges and opportunities facing natural gas growth.

US natural gas market update.

Build out of renewable energy power generation and electrification continues in many parts of the country in response to decarbonization and tax policies and subsidies at the state and federal levels. The intermittent nature of renewable energy power generation demands that a consistently reliable and alternative source of power be available when renewables are not. Concurrently, policies that push electrification, as well as new data center demand to support Artificial Intelligence (AI), is translating into a significant forecasted increase in demand for power over the coming decade, with peak day demand stretching existing system capabilities. With gas and electricity markets inextricably tied today, understanding this interdependency and system dynamics is critical to ensuring reliability now and into the future. This is a timely Panel offering valuable perspectives on the topic from experts representing a variety of stakeholder interests and perspectives across industry, markets and government.

Natural gas suppliers continue to make great strides in innovating low-carbon energy alternatives. Differentiated gas, including certified gas, are gaining significant market interest with actual transactions being inked between suppliers and various market constituents. A proliferation of independent third-party certifiers of low-carbon product attributes across the natural gas value chain have arrived on the scene. This Panel, comprised of experts representing suppliers, end use markets and independent certification entities, will provide a state of the market assessment of product innovations. In addition, the Panel will share practical examples of transactions currently being employed.

Please join our hosts, the Corporate Sponsors, at a cocktail reception in your honor. Don’t make your dinner plans too early as hors d’oeuvres and an open bar will be the highlight of this extremely well attended session!

Massachusetts announced a first-in-the nation Office of Energy Transformation earlier this year charged with the hands-on execution of the clean energy transition, including ensuring the availability and readiness of electrical infrastructure, gas to electric transition coordination, and a just transition for impacted workers and businesses. Like many states across the country, the Commonwealth is at an inflection point where its bold policy vision needs to be translated into practical solutions. During this session, the Office’s newly appointed Executive Director – utility industry veteran Melissa Lavinson -- will share her priorities, focus, and intentions to bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders to develop practical and immediate steps to equitably, affordably, and responsibly shift to a more electrified future and successfully implement the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities’ landmark order on the Future of Gas – DPU Order 20-80-2.

The apocalyptic view of climate change is hyperbole and misleading, the effects of climate change are not certain disaster, and the resulting energy policy is an attack on prosperity. We draw from a growing body of work of scientists, economists and stakeholders that have seen through the thin veil of climate crisis propaganda. We need to restore hope and order to our energy policy
• Yes – the climate is changing (it always has)
• No – climate change is not a crisis
• Yes – we should be concerned with maintaining a sustainable living planet.