New York Climate Week 2025
Learning from the Past toWork Toward the Future:The Countdown to 2030
A closed-door, utilities-only forum focused on energy transition challenges and solutions during New York Climate Week 2025.
Third Annual
Welcome to the NPUC Utility Solutions Forum!
Taking place during New York Climate Week 2025, the Utility Solutions Forum is a gathering where utility leaders connect, learn, and exchange ideas about how to navigate an evolving energy landscape — with 2030 fast approaching.
Framed around the theme “Learning from the Past to Work Toward the Future: The Countdown to 2030,” this full-day forum provides a platform for forward-looking, practical conversations that help utilities address shared challenges and emerging opportunities over the next critical five years.
The agenda features a mix of keynote speakers, panel discussions, tech talks, and interactive workshops — all focused on strengthening energy systems, managing new demand drivers like AI and data centers, and advancing innovation while maintaining reliability and resilience.
Attendance is limited to utility leaders and select partners to encourage candid dialogue and a trusted peer-to-peer environment.
The purpose of this Forum is…
Knowledge Exchange
Foster two-way dialogue and share actionable insights to help utilities manage today’s fast-evolving operating environment.
Key Input
Gather perspectives from industry leaders on strategies to balance reliability, innovation, and evolving system needs.
Problem Solving
Address sector-wide challenges together through facilitated panels, workshops, and solution-sharing.
Sustainability Awareness
Build awareness of technologies, tools, and approaches shaping the future of energy systems.
Featured Speakers & Participants
Shaun Hoyte
Head of Clean Energy Networks
Con Edison
Josh Gould
Director, Advanced Grid & Strategic Planning
Duquesne Light
Terron Hill
Director, Transmission and Renewables Development
National Grid
Janet Rehberg
President, Strategic Initiatives
EPB
Diane Levin
Vice President, Customer Innovation
NYPA
Omaya Ahmad
Manager Regional Markets and Regulatory Engagement
APS
Vandan Divatia
Vice President Transmission Policy and Compliance
Eversource Energy
Chris Benjamin
Senior Director, Corporate Sustainability
PG&E
Kedaar Raman
Sr. Director – Special Projects
NYPA
Lauren Sher
Sr. Director of Sustainability and Environmental Policy
NextEra Energy
Zack Valdez
Former Advisor
U.S. Department of Energy
Kerry-Jane King
Senior Director Sustainability
NYPA
King Look
Director R&D
Con Edison
Becky Gallagher
Head of Project Development and Strategic Sourcing
Sublime Systems
Richard Caperton
VP for Public Policy
SPAN
Ram Narayan
Manager Strategy Corporate Development
NYPA
Participating Utilities
Bringing together the utilities driving innovation and change
Agenda
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Arrival & Coffee
Check in, grab coffee, and connect with fellow attendees.
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Executive Breakfast
This executive breakfast will convene top voices in the energy and grid-related fields to explore how we can modernize our grid and energy systems for a more resilient, reliable, and decarbonized future. They will also have the chance to each express topics or pain points they wish to discuss as a part of the day’s events.
10:00 - 10:20 AM
Opening Keynote: The 2030 Imperative, NPUC Report Spotlight
A powerful opening to frame the day and ignite urgency. Our keynote speaker will reflect on where we are, what the next five years demand, and how collaboration across sectors will determine success. They will also highlight the NPUC’s Decarbonization Report(s).
10:20 AM - 11:00 AM
Panel: AI, Data Centers & the Energy Opportunity
As AI reshapes industries, the power it requires is a central concern—and opportunity. This panel explores:
- Designing low-carbon, high-performance data centers
- Meeting demand through grid planning and clean energy
- Cooling, siting, and interconnection challenges
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Break
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM
Lightning Talks: 5 Years, 5 Big Moves
An energizing hour of rapid-fire insights from 5 leaders across sectors. Each speaker will have 10 minutes to spotlight a bold, actionable priority to advance before 2030:
- Grid resilience for growing demand
- Clean industrial breakthroughs
- Aligning capital with community
- Regional supply chain localization
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Enjoy a catered, farm-to-table lunch and connect with speakers, partners, and participants.
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
Executive Breakouts: Turning Insights into Action
Continuing the dialogue from the morning’s executive breakfast, participants will split into small groups to explore priority themes in depth. Using flip charts to capture ideas, each team will workshop challenges, share perspectives, and surface opportunities. The session will conclude with group readouts, bringing forward fresh insights and collective learnings from across the room.
1:50 PM - 2:00 PM
Break
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Interactive Modeling Workshop: Carbon Compass
A hands-on, future-focused session featuring a live walk through of NPUC’s Carbon Compass.
- Emissions trajectory modeling based on varied assumptions
- Use cases for utilities, corporates, and regulators
- How to use this tool to set and adapt strategy in real time
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Panel: Scaling Nuclear for Energy Security
This session explores nuclear energy’s role in building a secure, decarbonized energy future:
- Deployment pathways for advanced and small modular reactors
- Enabling policies and investment mechanisms
- Supporting high-demand sectors like data centers and industry
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM
Recap & Closing
In our closing session, we’ll bring together insights from across the forum to highlight key connections and themes. Together, we’ll outline clear, actionable next steps for navigating the evolving energy landscape and shaping what comes next.