| 7:00 – 8:00 |
Communications Committee Continental Breakfast
Our newly formed Communications Committee will host a continental breakfast for those that prefer a light fare in the morning. We will discuss our next steps in conceptualizing and building the Water Congress communication network at this second meeting of the committee. All are welcome to attend.
|
| 8:30 |
Opening General Session: Welcome to the Yampa Basin
An Overview of Water and Energy in the Yampa Basin
Doug Monger, Board President of Upper Yampa Water Cons. Dist. and Routt County Commissioner
Tom Sharp, Board President of Colorado River Water Conservation District
Where does the water we’re drinking at the conference come from and who is keeping the lights on for us?
|
| 8:45 |
Colorado Legislative Report
Moderator: Representative Randy Baumgardner
Senator Gail Schwartz, Chair, Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Representative Jerry Sonnenberg, Chair, House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee
This was a relatively quiet year for water legislation and yet some important legislation was passed. We are happy to have the Interim Water Resources Review Committee back in operation after taking a year hiatus due to budget limitations. What lies ahead for the committee and the 2012 legislative session?
|
| 9:15 |
Emerging Colorado Legislation
Representative Randy Fischer
|
| 9:30 |
Hard Choices in 2012 and Beyond
Challenges Colorado Legislators Face in Balancing State Budget
Senator Mary Hodge, Joint Budget Committee
Representative Sal Pace, House Minority Leader
Senator Ellen Roberts, Senate Local Government Committee
How are things looking in the most recent budget forecasts? When will we hit bottom on the need for serious budget cuts? What are the major financial issues that the legislature will face in 2012? Will the water community need to engage in a broader discussion of prioritization of state funds?
|
| 10:00 – 10:30 |
Break
|
| 10:30 |
General Session II: More People
Population Trends
Elizabeth Garner, Colorado State Demographer
The starting point for forecasting water and energy needs is population trends. Base data from the 2010 census has been completed and we are now ready to begin really working with the information. Ms. Garner will present fascinating new analysis about what is happening with Colorado’s population.
|
| 11:15 |
But How Much More Water and Energy Will They Really Use?
Moderator: Eric Hecox, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Denver Water: Conserving for the Future
Greg Fisher, Denver Water
Ed Harvey, Harvey Economics
Peter Narog, Xcel Energy
What insights do we gain from the 2010 census regarding future needs? How far will conservation take us toward meeting future demands? Are there conservation strategies that water and energy communities can learn from each other?
|
| 12:00 |
Wednesday Luncheon
|
| 12:00 |
Keynote Presentation
Congressman Cory Gardner, Subcommittee on Energy and Power
If Congressman Gardner is to be known for anything, it is his stance and expertise on jobs, water, and energy.
We are very excited to have this long-time friend of the water community at our conference this year. He will give us insight on what is happening in Washington during one of the most interesting political times in U.S. history.
|
| 1:30 |
Concurrent Session A: Water Infrastructure Financing
Water Resources Infrastructure Strategies: Identifying, Prioritizing, and Financing Needs
Tom Iseman, Western Governors Association
Last year, the Western States Water Council, an affiliate of the Western Governors Association, held a symposium by this title. A summary report is planned for release just prior to our conference. What is the future strategy for developing and maintaining our water supply infrastructure?
$2 Billion in New Water Infrastructure Without Referendum A
How Aurora and Colorado Springs Financed Two Very Big Water Projects
”How to Avoid Wasting a Water Supply Crisis and a Major Recession”
Mark Pifher, Aurora Water
Financing Southern Delivery System
John Fredell, Colorado Springs Utilities
Remember all of the debate about whether we needed to create a state bonding mechanism to build unspecified projects? Yet two of our members have recently found a way to finance two major water supply projects: the Prairie Waters Project and Southern Delivery System. How did they do it? What was the reaction of the customer base to increasing water rates and tap fees?
Does the Price of Water Reflect the Value of Water?
Moderator: Ed Harvey, Harvey Economics
Stacy Tellinghuisen, Western Resource Advocates
Chris Goemans, Associate Professor of Ag and Resource Economics at Colorado State University
Chris O’Neil, “The Denver Group”—Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
In our world of competing, sometimes conflicting community values, are we paying the true cost of developing and using water supplies? How does Wall Street look at borrowing for water bonds? Agriculture, municipal, environmental, and financial professionals will discuss their perspectives.
|
| 1:30 |
Concurrent Session B: Mixing Water and Oil (and Gas)
Moderator: Pam Roth, Williams Energy
Oil and Gas Regulation Overview
Mike King, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
What is the role and new composition of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission? During the development of oil and gas, water may be produced. How are water interests protected, both in terms of water rights and water quality? When are water well permits needed? How is the ultimate disposition of produced water regulated?
Fracking and Protection of Ground Water
Tisha Schuller, Colorado Oil and Gas Association
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has been the subject of much discussion in the media and considerable misinformation. This session will present the inside story on what fracking is, where it occurs, why it is necessary, how much water it uses, and what is happening with the reporting of chemicals used in the process.
Does the water community need to be concerned about groundwater contamination from oil and gas development? The Governor has just announced a voluntary baseline water quality sampling program to proactively address groundwater quality concerns across the state associated with the drilling and hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells. The program is being actively supported by the oil and gas industry. How will it be accomplished?
Life Cycle Water Management for Natural Gas Wells in the Piceance Basin
(awaiting permission to publish this presentation)
Paul White, Williams Energy
Much of the water produced from gas development is not reusable due to high total dissolved solids content. Near Rulison, Williams Energy has developed an innovative water recycling program to minimize water usage and impacts on the environment.
|
| 1:30 |
Concurrent Session C: Emerging Legislation Discussion Forum
Hosted by Colorado Water Congress State Affairs Committee
This will be an open session with legislators to discuss 2012 legislation of potential interest to the water community.
|
| 3:15 – 3:45 |
Break
|
| 3:45 |
General Session IV: A Water Year to Remember
Insert Scott Tipton's speech here.
Colorado Water Supply Conditions Update
Mike Gillespie, NRCS
It has certainly been an unusual year for Colorado’s snowpack. Late spring storms substantially boosted runoff in most areas of the State. The record snow water equivalent for any SNOTEL station was set. And yet we have drought in the Eastern Plains. We are pleased to have Mike back again to tell us about it.
The 2011 Water Year and Storage in Lakes Powell and Mead
Can We Postpone A Compact Call to Another Day?
Jennifer Gimbel, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Water storage levels will rise considerably in our two most important reservoirs for administration of the Colorado River Compact. Discussions on the possibility of a compact call have intensified over the past several years. What does this year’s runoff mean for the pace of negotiations on water shortages?
|
| 5:00 |
Young Professionals Organizational Meeting
The CWC is working to initiate a Young Professionals Chapter designed for all CWC. The Young Professionals Chapter will offer members networking opportunities and possibilities for greater involvement in CWC activities and programs. CWC President, Joe Frank, will lead this brief meeting to discuss group objectives and organization.
|
| 5:30 – 7:00 |
Water and Energy Reception
|
| 7:00 |
Colorado Water Congress Membership Business Breakfast
|
| 7:30 |
Water Congress Town Hall
State of the Water Congress, Water 2012 and 75th Anniversary Celebrations
|
| 7:45 |
Snowmastadon!
Ian Miller, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The story of the reconstruction of Ziegler Dam outside Snowmass Village has captured the attention of paleontologists and the public. Mastadons, ice age deer, and giant bisons have been unearthed. It is being labeled as one of the most significant Ice Age fossil sites ever found in the United States. The staff from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science leading the dig will be here to tell us what they have found and why their work is causing so much excitement.
|
| 8:30 – 9:00 |
Break
|
| 9:00 – 10:45 |
General Session V: Meeting Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Opportunities
|
| 9:00 |
Colorado’s Fossil Fuels
Natural Gas and Colorado’s Energy Future
Tisha Schuller, Colorado Oil and Gas Association
Mining for Colorado: Coal and Energy Update
Stuart Sanderson, Colorado Mining Association
Colorado’s energy present and future is linked to our abundant natural resources, among the most significant in the United States. The Executive Directors of our two largest associations representing the coal and oil and gas industries will provide the background and foundation for discussion of fossil fuel development and use and related water requirements. Overviews of where our non-renewable energy resources are located and the major issues associated with their production.
|
| 9:50 |
Integrating Technology as a Stepping-Stone to the Future
The Prairie State Energy Campus
Jacob Williams, Peabody Energy
Vice President Global Energy Analytics
In looking beyond Colorado’s borders, the largest coal-fired power plant currently being built in the United States is taking shape in southern Illinois. The $4 billion, 1,600-MW Prairie State Energy Campus is located about 50 miles southeast of St. Louis. The campus includes an on-site coal mine with 200 million tons of recoverable coal—enough to fuel the plant for 30 years, twin 800 MW supercritical power generation units, and state-of-the-art water conservation and emission controls. How can innovation and technology address our changing environmental and regulatory climate?
|
| 10:20 |
Carbon Emission Control Research
Northwest Colorado Carbon Sequestration Study
Wayne Rowe, Schlumberger Carbon Services
An overview of a collaborative effort between the Department of Energy, Colorado Geologic Survey, and Schlumberger to evaluate opportunities for geologic sequestration of CO in Northwest Colorado, and implications for coal generation and water use.
|
| 10:45 – 11:15 |
Break
|
| 11:15 |
Thursday Box Luncheon and Panel Discussion
The Water-Energy Nexus: What Are Our Common Interests?
Moderator: Alexandra Davis, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Ken Anderson, General Manager, Tri State Generation and Transmission Association
David Eves, President and Chief Operating Officer, Xcel Energy’s Public Service Company of Colorado
Kent Holsinger, Holsinger Law
Wayne Vanderschuere, Colorado Springs Utilities
How are water and energy providers planning for future demands? What is the role of conservation? What are the challenges with the regulatory environment? How are you viewing green infrastructure? What seems most promising in new research and development for future infrastructure? How do present and future water availability issues affect energy providers?
|
| 10:45 – 11:15 |
Conference Presentations Conclude
|