Held at the Canadian Embassy, the aptly-named association for transmission development headed by former FERC Chair Jim Hoecker, WIRES, put on a show on spurring grid buildout. Among the speakers were Nina Plaushin of ITC, Tom Kuhn and Lawrence Jones of EEI, Sergio Marchi of the Canadian Electricity Association, and Clair Moeller of MISO.

Several speakers voiced strong support for the energy provisions (Chapter Six) of the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, currently being negotiated by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. To modernize it, but certainly to maintain the Chapter.

Everybody was there when the United States Energy Association held its fourteenth annual State of the Energy Industry Forum on January 18 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. Take a look. You'll spot American Petroleum Institute CEO Jack Gerard, American Public Power Association CEO Sue Kelly, Edison Electric Institute President Tom Kuhn, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson, Electric Power Supply Association CEO John Shelk, American Council on Renewable Energy CEO Greg Wetstone.

Held at the National Press Club, surging storage was the subject. Star speakers included Commissioners Carla Peterman from California, Dave Danner of Washington, Andy Tobin of Arizona and Jim Griffin of Hawaii, and FERC Commissioner Rob Powelson (still celebrating his Eagles' Super Bowl victory). It being Valentine's Day, the wise folks at the Energy Storage Association set the agenda's end at mid-afternoon.

FERC Chair Kevin McIntyre detailed the Commission's direction on grid resilience, pipeline permitting, PURPA reform and more. Ralph Cavanagh of NRDC battled Phil Moeller of EEI, rhetorically, in an epic fight billed as another Rumble in the Jungle. But before referee Travis Kavulla of the Montana commission separated the heavyweights, Cavanagh and Moeller agreed to collaborate to accelerate the clean energy transition. Keynoter Michael Webber explained and entertained on the water-energy nexus. He'll never be admitted to the Slow Talkers of America (Bob and Ray's mythical club).