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Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs will host this workshop to explore topics related to energy production and generation.  Policymakers and experts from across the West will engage in discussions examining strategies for meeting growing demand, permitting and siting new generation, critical mineral supply chains, distributed energy resources, and opportunities for unlocking emerging energy technologies. 

View the full agenda below and register here. All times are Mountain Standard Time.  

December 17

12:00 p.m. - Lunch  

12:30 p.m. - Welcome and Introductions  

• Jack Waldorf, WGA Executive Director  

12:35 p.m. - Opening Remarks  

• The Honorable Katie Hobbs, Governor of Arizona 

1:00 p.m. - Panel 1: Energy Development is Economic Development 

Energy development is a powerful driver of economic growth, creating high-quality jobs, new business opportunities, and revenue for communities and governments.  In the West, expanding both traditional and emerging energy industries strengthens local economies, particularly in rural areas where resource development often anchors employment and tax bases.  This panel will examine the inextricable relationship between energy and economic development and how energy superabundance is critical to unlocking economic opportunity in the West.  

2:10 p.m. - Panel 2: Permitting New Generation 

Permitting is an often complex and time-consuming component of energy development, which can discourage project applications and dramatically increase the cost of new projects.  Streamlining permitting processes, improving interagency coordination, and providing clear guidance to developers can accelerate project approval without compromising environmental protection or community support.  This panel will discuss how efficient permitting is essential to encouraging new generation capacity, supporting diverse energy sources, and meeting growing energy demand. 

3:15 p.m. - Panel 3: Siting Considerations for Energy Development  

Siting energy projects in the West involves navigating a complex mix of land ownership, diverse ecosystems, and competing land uses.  Many high-potential areas for renewable and conventional development overlap with lands managed for conservation, recreation, grazing, or tribal and cultural purposes.  Other siting considerations, such as ​​​​​​transmission access or available water resources, can also significantly constrain where projects can be built.  This panel will examine the regulatory, jurisdictional, and institutional challenges siting presents and consider strategies to improve responsible energy siting outcomes.  

4:05 p.m. - Panel 4: Supporting Emerging Energy Technologies  

Fostering emerging energy technologies is key to expanding the energy mix; however, the construction of new generation is not on pace to meet existing or future demand.  Targeted investments, research and development funding, and pilot programs help bring emerging solutions to commercial scale.  Federal tax incentives and funding grants play a role in energy innovation by encouraging investment and making first of a kind technology financially viable.  The panel will examine how governments and the private sector can expand generation options and contribute to a more abundant energy future.

5:00 p.m. - Adjourn

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Reception

December 18 

8:00 a.m. - Breakfast 

8:30 a.m. - Welcome   

• Jack Waldorf, WGA Executive Director  

8:35 a.m. - Keynote 1: The Mountain West Geothermal Consortium 

9:15 a.m. - Panel 5: Supporting Tribal Energy Development  

Across the West, tribal nations possess abundant energy resources that can drive economic growth, community resilience, and workforce development.  However, barriers like limited investment and capital constraints, complex permitting and approval processes, and inadequate transmission capacity make it difficult for tribes to capitalize on these resources.  This panel will examine how strategies such as improved partnership and coordination and strengthening technical capacity can support tribal energy development and ensure that projects deliver benefits to associated tribes. 

10:15 a.m. - Panel 6: Distributed Energy Resources  

Distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar, battery storage, small wind, and demand-response technologies, are reshaping how electricity is produced and managed across the West.  By generating or storing power close to where it is consumed, DERs can reduce strain on the grid, enhance reliability, and provide resilience during outages or extreme weather.  Customers are also more empowered to manage energy use and costs.  However, distributed energy resources face challenges integrating into the existing grid and being valued differently than traditional centralized generation assets.  This panel will discuss some of the technical, regulatory, and cost-allocation hurdles to the widespread adoption of DERs. 

11:10 a.m. - Panel 7: Supply Chain Challenges 

Supply chain challenges critically affect energy development by creating persistent shortages of essential equipment such as transformers, switchgear, and turbines.  These constraints extend project timelines, increase costs, and complicate efforts to expand generation and grid capacity.  Mitigating these near-term equipment bottlenecks through manufacturing expansion, investment, and bolstering domestic critical mineral supply chains can support timely and affordable project deployment for both current and emerging energy technologies. 

12:00 p.m. - Adjourn