Infrastructure Spending: Pennies From Heaven or Green Stress?

The U.S. electric utilities, from big IOUs to distribution-only rural electric cooperatives, are waiting to see how the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which President Biden signed into law on November 15, will affect them. The best estimate is that about $73 billion will make its way directly to the electric utility industry.

There is a growing consensus in the industry that transmission is a national priority, and that broadband will get a needed boost. But some fear that remnants of the Green New Deal will emerge in the administration of the funds, forcing utilities into actions which they believe to be detrimental. Friction is possible.

The Department of Energy, the principal disbursing agent, is holding meetings, requesting information, and beginning to establish procedures and priorities. How vocal should utilities be? Will they all be heard?

DOE won’t be the only agency concerned with grid upgrading and other projects. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Interior, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will be involved too.

USEA has assembled a panel of utility experts to talk about when and how the funds will be disbursed. They will be questioned by a panel of knowledgeable reporters. USEA Acting Executive Director Sheila Hollis will give opening remarks, and Llewellyn King, who organized this briefing, will moderate.

Speakers
Justin Driscoll, Interim President & CEO, New York Power Authority
Andrew Shaw, Partner, Dentons
Katie Jereza, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, EPRI
Peter Londa, President & CEO, Tantalus

Reporters
Robert Walton, Utility Dive
Ellie Potter, S&P Global
Jeff Beattie, The Energy Daily
Ken Silverstein, Forbes

Speakers

Sheila Hollis

Of Counsel and Chair, Duane Morris (Ret.)

Llewellyn King

Creator, Executive Producer & Host
White House Chronicle

Katie Jereza

Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Justin Driscoll

Interim President & CEO
New York Power Authority

Andrew Shaw

Partner
Dentons

Peter Londa

President & CEO
Tantalus

Ken Silverstein

Senior Contributor
Forbes

Jeff Beattie

Assistant Editor/Reporter
The Energy Daily

Robert Walton

Reporter
Utility Dive

Ellie Potter

Federal Power Policy Reporter
S&P Global