On June 6, ACES participated in several presentations at the annual National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation’s (CFC) Forum in Seattle. The CFC Forum is intended to be an opportunity for electric cooperatives to gather with other industry professionals to discuss and learn about issues and challenges in the energy industry.
This year, ACES conducted a panel during a breakout session entitled “Embrace the Change: Renewables, Natural Gas, and the Weather,” which featured four ACES employees: Andy Whitesitt, Vice President of Fuels, served as the moderator; Kelly Snyder (Originator) spoke about the changes in the renewable industry; Joe Motuliak (Director of Natural Gas) discussed the ways natural gas is changing the energy landscape; and Adam Simkowski (Meteorologist) highlighted the changing weather patterns the country has been experiencing and how forecasting is adapting to help the energy sector.
The panel was met by a packed house! It was standing room only. Their message was well-received and fit well with the overall theme of the conference: CHANGE. It is evident that change is at the forefront of concerns in our industry and ACES continues to help its Members acclimate to an ever-changing marketplace.
In addition to the panel, Mike Steffes participated on a General Session panel entitled “Electric Utilities in a time of Disruption and Opportunity,” with Sue Kelly (President of the American Public Power Association), which was moderated by Larry Makovich (VP and Senior Power Adviser at IHS). The panel discussion focused on major concerns in the energy industry such as changing technologies, modern consumer demands, policy changes, and economic pressures.
ACES would like to thank CFC for inviting us to be a part of their forum.