Full Agenda

Wednesday 22 April 2026
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) leadership will welcome attendees and set the stage for its inaugural Transportation Energy Summit.

Presenters
  • David Terry, President, National Association of State Energy Officials
  • Jessie Lund, Senior Program Director, Transportation, National Association of State Energy Officials
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM

State Innovations Advancing Efficient, Affordable, and Resilient Transportation Systems

Hear directly from State Energy Offices as they share what’s moving forward at the intersection of transportation and energy. Panelists will compare approaches to advancing use of alternative fuels, strategic energy planning, community engagement and education, emerging research priorities, and economic development opportunities. Topics to be explored include implementation challenges like funding constraints, data gaps, siting and permitting, and cross-agency coordination. Attendees will leave with practical ideas, peer connections, and a clearer picture of where states could collaborate to accelerate progress.

Moderator
  • Jessie Lund, Senior Program Director, Transportation, National Association of State Energy Officials
Presenters
  • Al Carr, Branch Chief, Clean Transportation and Infrastructure, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
  • Cary Aubrey, Program Manager, Indiana Office of Energy Development
  • Rene Kelly, Clean Transportation Coordinator, Energy Office, South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff; Director, Palmetto Clean Fuels Coalition
  • Will Toor, Executive Director, Colorado Energy Office; Vice-Chair, NASEO Board of Directors
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM

Heavy-Duty Vehicle Electrification at Scale: Lurking Large Loads

Join us for a fireside chat to explore one of the largest sources of anticipated load growth over the next decade - heavy-duty electric trucks. This session will highlight increasing vehicle deployments, nationwide charging station investments, megawatt level charging technology, and what states need to know in order to plan for this new frontier of freight movement.

Moderator
  • Jessie Lund, Senior Program Director, Transportation, National Association of State Energy Officials
Presenter
  • Kevin Miller, Managing Policy Advisor, Tesla
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Proactive Planning for Transportation Electrification

State Energy Offices are on the front lines of transportation electrification and grid planning, and the best outcomes come from planning ahead. This panel will explore proactive strategies to forecast charging demand, align grid and transportation investments, and coordinate across agencies and stakeholders to support adoption while managing costs and reliability. Attendees will leave with practical planning frameworks and examples that can be adapted to their state’s priorities and programs.

Moderator
  • Vyshnavi Kosigi, Energy Policy Analyst, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Presenters
  • Ed Cronin, Transportation and GIS Analyst, Virginia Department of Energy
  • E.J. Klock McCook, Senior Principal, Clean Transportation, Rocky Mountain Institute
  • Michael Maten, Director, EV Policy and Regulatory Affairs, General Motors
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM

Putting the Pedal to the Metal on Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Charging Hubs

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification is accelerating, and charging hubs are becoming essential infrastructure for fleets, freight corridors, and logistics centers. This session will explore how states can help move hubs from concept to operation—site selection, power needs and upgrades, utility engagement, funding and finance, and ensuring reliable uptime for mission-critical use – while coordinating with neighboring states to energize key corridors. State Energy Office staff will gain practical insights to speed deployment and maximize economic and emissions benefits.

Moderator
  • Steven Hershkowitz, Managing Director, Clean Transportation Unit, Energy Division, Washington State Department of Commerce
Presenters
  • Rachel Aland, Transportation Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
  • Peg Hanna, Director, Climate Change Mitigation and Monitoring, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  • Allie LaCroix, Manager, Grants and Incentives, Pilot Company
1:50 PM - 2:40 PM

Innovative Solutions for Expediting and Streamlining Grid Integration of Electric Vehicle Charging

Interconnection and grid integration is necessary for deploying EV charging at scale. This session highlights innovative approaches—tools, processes, and partnerships—that streamline utility coordination, accelerate permitting and interconnection timelines, and reduce upgrade costs while maintaining safety and reliability. State Energy Office staff will leave with actionable strategies to help projects move faster from application to energization.

Moderator
  • Cathleen Lewis, Clean Transportation Program Manager, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Presenters
  • Rachael Nealer, Director, Atlas Public Policy
  • Philip Jones, Executive Director, Alliance for Transportation Electrification
  • Kellen Schefter, Senior Director, Electric Transportation, Edison Electric Institute
2:40 PM - 2:55 PM

Break

2:55 PM - 3:45 PM

Harnessing Electric Vehicles as a Grid Resource for Reliability, Affordability, and Resiliency

Electric vehicles can be flexible grid assets that support reliability, affordability, and resilience. This session will explore managed charging and vehicle-to-grid strategies, including the technology, rate design, and program models that can shift load, reduce peak costs, and support renewable integration. Speakers will share real-world pilots and lessons learned on customer participation, interoperability, and the regulatory and utility coordination needed to scale. Attendees will leave with practical pathways for turning EV adoption into measurable grid benefits.

Moderator
  • Anna Stern, Senior Energy Program Manager, Transportation, Maryland Energy Administration
Presenters
  • Richard Mai, Senior Advisor, Clean Transportation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
  • Akhil Jariwala, Director of Product Management, ev.energy
  • Jacqueline Piero, Head of Policy and Regulation, The Mobility House
  • Chris Nevers, Senior Director, Public Policy, Rivian
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Emergency Responder Trainings and How State Energy Offices Can Best Support Preparedness for Alternative Fuels

As EVs and charging infrastructure expand, emergency responders need up-to-date training to operate safely and confidently in new scenarios. This session will highlight effective EV and charging-related responder training models, common gaps, and how states can coordinate partners, funding, and curricula to scale consistent programs statewide. State Energy Office staff will leave with clear, practical ways to support local agencies and strengthen readiness across their state.

Moderator
  • Richard Kirschner, Climate Action Analyst, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department
Presenters
  • Kaitlyn Jauch, Grants Program Coordinator and Coalition Co-Director for Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
  • Robert Swaim, Proprietor, HowItBroke.com
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM

Incentives Best Practices: Making the Most of Public Funds

States are using a variety of funding sources – including the U.S. State Energy Program, National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program, and others – to design incentive programs that are targeted, transparent, and outcomes-driven. This session will share best practices for designing and administering transportation electrification incentives—right-sizing awards, leveraging private capital, prioritizing high-impact use cases, and tracking performance to refine programs over time. State Energy Office staff will gain practical lessons to stretch funds further while accelerating measurable results.

Moderator
  • Mike Salisbury, Director of Transportation, Colorado Energy Office
Presenters
  • Rob Sargent, Policy Director, Coltura
  • Elaine Buckberg, Senior Fellow, Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, Harvard University
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Networking Reception

Thursday 23 April 2026
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

U.S. Department of Energy’s Transportation Priorities and Opportunities for State-Federal Coordination

This session will outline the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) priorities related to transportation and alternative fuels, as well as the programs, tools, and technical assistance available to help states and the private sector advance their goals. Speakers will highlight practical pathways for state–federal coordination, and State Energy Office staff will leave with clear takeaways on where to engage DOE and how to position state initiatives for successful collaboration.

Moderator
  • Cassie Powers, Chief of Staff, National Association of State Energy Officials
Presenters
  • Austin Brown, Director, Transportation Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Valerie Reed, Director, Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office, U.S. Department of Energy
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is Taking Off

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is emerging as a key lever for cutting aviation emissions, and states are increasingly exploring how to support production, supply chains, and demand for this biofuel. This session will cover SAF pathways and feedstocks, market and policy drivers, and practical roles for State Energy Offices—from coordinating stakeholders to aligning incentives and infrastructure planning. Attendees will leave with a clearer view of near-term opportunities and how to position their state to participate in a growing SAF economy.

Moderator
  • Neal Ullman, Energy Resources Professional, Energy Office, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Presenters
  • Hailey Mullins, Federal Program Specialist, Office of Energy Policy, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
  • Kathleen Wight, Vice President, Net Zero Solutions, World Energy
  • Steve Csonka, Executive Director, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Renewable Natural Gas, Renewable Diesel, and Propane: The Alternative Fuels Landscape

Alternative fuels like renewable diesel, biodiesel, renewable natural gas, and propane can deliver near-term emissions reductions while supporting economic development. This session will unpack the alternative fuels landscape: where these fuels fit best, what data and sustainability questions states should ask, and how programs can best support priority use cases. State Energy Office staff will leave with a clearer framework for aligning alternative fuel strategies with state transportation goals.

Moderator
  • Garrett Strunk, State Energy Program Manager, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Presenters
  • David Mann, Senior Policy Advisor, Holland and Knight
  • Tucker Perkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Propane Education and Research Council
  • Jeffrey Short, Vice President, American Transportation Research Institute
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

Washington Update – Transportation Focus

Get the latest from Washington, D.C. on federal transportation policy—what’s moving in Congress (including Surface Transportation Reauthorization) and what it could mean for state programs and planning. This session will cover the newest developments impacting transportation funding and policies. State Energy Office staff will leave with a clear “what changed, what’s next, and what to watch” view for the months ahead.

Moderator
  • David Terry, President, National Association of State Energy Officials
Presenters
  • Susan Howard, Director of Policy and Government Relations, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
  • Andrew Wishnia, Senior Vice President, Boundary Stone Partners
  • Bennett Resnik, Senior Vice President, Critical Infrastructure, Venn Strategies
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Networking Lunch

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Second Life Electric Vehicle Batteries as Affordable Grid Assets: From Theory to Reality

As EV batteries retire from vehicles, second-life applications could provide lower-cost energy storage and flexible grid support—if the market can move from pilots to scalable deployments. This session will examine real-world use cases, performance and safety considerations, standards and warranty questions, and policy levers that can help unlock bankable projects. State Energy Office staff will gain practical insights on how second-life batteries can advance affordability, resilience, and electrification goals.

Moderator
  • Peter Chen, Supervisor, Transportation Unit, Energy, Research and Development Division, California Energy Commission
Presenters
  • Daniel Zotos, Director of State Policy and Public Affairs, Redwood Materials
  • Pingen Chen, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Battery Supply Chains and Safety

Battery supply chains are rapidly evolving, with growing focus on critical minerals, domestic manufacturing, and end-to-end transparency. This session will cover the basics State Energy Offices need to know—critical mineral extraction and sourcing, emerging battery labeling and data transparency efforts, and key safety and cost considerations across manufacturing, transport, use, and storage. Attendees will leave with practical insights to inform program design, procurement, and stakeholder coordination while advancing safe, responsible electrification and economic development efforts.

Moderator
  • Matt Flechter, Recycling Market Development Specialist, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Presenters
  • Abigail Hunter, Executive Director, Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, Securing America’s Future Energy
  • Stephanie Gagnon-Rodriguez, Director of Regional Clean Economies, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
  • Ben Steinberg, Executive Director, Battery Materials and Technology Coalition
  • Ronnie LeHane, Legislative and Policy Manager, Zero Emission Transportation Association
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Shifting Transportation Dynamics: Autonomous Vehicles, Rideshare Fleets, and the Future of Transportation Energy Needs

Transportation demand is shifting quickly as autonomous vehicles and ride share fleets scale—changing where, when, and how people and vehicles move. This session will explore emerging mobility trends and their implications for vehicle efficiency, congestion, charging and fueling needs, grid impacts, curb and corridor planning, and access. State Energy Office staff will leave with practical planning considerations and early signals to watch as they align transportation and energy strategies for the next decade.

Moderator
  • Jessie Lund, Senior Program Director, Transportation, National Association of State Energy Officials
Presenters
  • Rich Harrington, Policy Advisor, Waymo
  • Nikki Rudnick, Policy Manager, Uber
  • Tom Ashley, Vice President, Government and Utility Relations, Voltera
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Wrap Up and Adjourn

Presenter
  • Jessie Lund, Senior Program Director, Transportation, National Association of State Energy Officials