A diverse lineup of energy experts, economic developers, and policymakers will gather at the LOCATE Finger Lakes Energy Infrastructure Summit on Monday, December 1st at the Scandling Center, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, to address pressing energy challenges affecting the region.
The summit will focus on the impact of an aging and under-maintained electric grid on job development, business growth, and innovative food production systems across the Finger Lakes. Panel discussions will explore the barriers faced by developers, technical constraints of the current grid, steps to modernize energy distribution, and necessary policy actions to support the region’s economic future.
Challenges to Job Development
The first session, moderated by Matt Horn, Strategic Growth & Business Development National Director for MRB Group and former City of Geneva Manager, will feature a panel of regional economic leaders discussing how energy infrastructure limitations are impeding job creation. Panelists include:
- Laura Fox O’Sullivan, Finger Lakes Director, NY Empire State Development
- Matt Hurlbutt, CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise
- Michael Miller, Director, Cayuga County IDA
- James Yockel, President, Greater Rochester Association of Realtors
Status of the Electric Grid
Mike Davis, IBEW Local 840 Business Manager, will moderate a technical panel on the current state of the region’s electric grid. Panelists include:
- Jim McKenna, Senior Vice President, LeChase Construction
- Michael Parkes, CEO, O’Connell Electric
- Bill Burns, Regional Director, EJ Electric Installation Company
- Dan Pollock, NECA NE Line Division Manager
- Mark Lawrence, Business Manager, IBEW Local 1249
The panel will provide a detailed assessment of the infrastructure challenges that hinder regional development.
Modernizing and Upgrading the Grid
LOCATE Finger Lakes Chairman Mike Nozzolio, former NY State Senator, will moderate a panel on strategies for modernizing and upgrading the Finger Lakes energy grid. Participants include:
- Joe Sayre, Manager—Economic Development, NYSEG and RG&E
- Donna DeCarolis, Senior Energy Policy Advisor, retired President, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation
- Radmila Miletich, Legislative and Environmental Policy Director, Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY)
- David Bottar, Director, Central NY Regional Planning and Development Board
Policy Action Items
The final panel, led by Ryan Davis, Ontario County Economic Development Director, will bring together bipartisan elected officials to discuss state-level actions needed to improve energy distribution. Scheduled participants include:
- Senator Pam Helming
- Senator Tom O’Mara
- Assembly Energy Committee Ranking Republican Phil Palmesano
- Assemblymen Jeff Gallahan and Brian Manktelow
“This summit highlights key energy infrastructure issues and the challenges they impose on job development and the future of the Finger Lakes economy,” said Ryan Davis. LOCATE Chairman Mike Nozzolio added, “The economic future of the Finger Lakes region depends on achieving these solutions.”
Registration is required, and seating is limited. Business leaders, economic development professionals, local officials, and residents are encouraged to attend.
For more information and to reserve a spot, visit LOCATE Finger Lakes.
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