Panel Discussion - Large Loads and Evolving Market Demand. Moderated by Lindsay Cooper Phillips, Clean Air Task Force
Large load investments are reshaping Louisiana’s landscape. From integrated steel manufacturing to data centers and other energy-intensive projects, new large loads are arriving with tight timelines, high reliability needs, and evolving demand for clean power sourcing. This panel will explore how companies think about power needs, how utilities plan for and respond to growing demand, and how market expectations for clean energy are evolving as Louisiana competes for new investment.

Panelists include: 
Steven Jahng, Vice President - Hyundai Motor Group
Katie Southworth, Deputy Director, Market & Policy Innovation for South & Southeast - Clean Energy Buyers Association
Michelle Bourg, Vice President, Business and Economic Development - Entergy

Panel Discussion - Creating a Dominant Energy Mix. Moderated by Monika Gerhart, Gulf States Renewable Industries Association
Louisiana’s geography, workforce, and energy infrastructure position the state to become a major generator of solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, battery, and energy storage systems. This panel will explore the current state of renewable development in Louisiana and what it will take to scale.

Panelists include:
Dr. Alexandra St. Pé, Senior Manager, Onshore Development South - RWE
Dr. Stephen Barnes, Director - ULL Kathleen Blanco Center for Public Policy
Laura Beauchamp, Vice President, Business Operations & Strategy - Entergy

Panel Discussion - Technologies for 2030 and Beyond. Moderated by Greg Delaune, Deep Blue Institute
This panel will explore new and emerging technologies that could shape Louisiana’s next era of energy leadership, including advanced geothermal, next-generation nuclear, and long-duration energy storage. Panelists will discuss the commercialization timeline for these technologies and the investment signals required to bring them to scale.

Panelists include:
Troy A. von Otnott, CEO - HotRok Energy
Cameron Poole, Director of Strategy - Newlab
Leigh D'Angelo, Chief Marketing Officer - Applied Atomics
Vann Joines, Co-Founder - Value Add Renewables

9:00am

Morning Concurrent Roundtable 1 - Domestic and Global Market Development. Facilitated by Nyka Scott, Entergy.
This facilitated roundtable discussion will explore how Louisiana can strategically leverage its competitive advantages—including its port infrastructure, industrial base, and workforce—to deploy a diverse mix of energy resources and create a resilient, competitive energy economy. Roundtable participants will examine the evolving landscape of large industrial energy demand and speed-to-market considerations, analyze market dynamics around emissions goals, and identify pathways for Louisiana to capitalize on domestic and international market opportunities to grow our workforce and statewide supply chains.

Panelists include: 
Steven Jahng - Hyundai Steel
Dr. Alexandra St. Pé, Senior Manager, Onshore Development South - RWE
Michelle P. Bourg, P.E. - Entergy
Chett Chiasson, Executive Director - Greater Lafourche Port Commission
Katie Southworth, Deputy Director, Market & Policy Innovation for South & Southeast - Clean Energy Buyers Association

OR 

Morning Concurrent Roundtable 2 - Local Community Engagement and Ordinance Development. Facilitated by Kim Marousek, Center for Planning Excellence.

Louisiana's energy growth and economic development depends on strong local frameworks and community support. This facilitated roundtable discussion will explore best practices for engaging local governments and communities in ordinance development and benefit negotiations for energy projects. Roundtable participants will discuss strategies for building local capacity to participate in proactive planning efforts, share successful stakeholder outreach approaches, and develop recommendations for supporting parishes in creating ordinances and agreements that meaningfully benefit communities while enabling responsible energy development.

Panelists include:
Amanda McClinton, Executive Director - Department of Conservation and Energy
Matt Johns, Executive Director - Rapides Area Planning Commission
Virginia Bell, Executive Director - St. Helena Economic Development Foundation
John Stoddard, Community Strategist, Southeast - RWE
Andrea Hernandez, Community Impact Manager - Center for Planning Excellence

Afternoon Concurrent Roundtable 1 - Transmission and Grid Resilience. Facilitated by Brent Bailey, EPL Advisors.
Louisiana’s energy grid faces mounting pressure to deliver new electrons quickly and reliably. This facilitated roundtable discussion will explore the interconnection barriers limiting new power generation projects and solutions to enhance the capacity and reliability of the power grid. Roundtable participants will discuss recommendations for accelerating interconnection processes, improving grid resilience and reliability, and strengthening coordination and planning for the future.

Panelists include: 
Joe Tirone, Partner - Jones Walker
Andrew Owens, Research Fellow - LSU Center for Energy Studies
Burt Finzer, Principal Customer Advisor - MISO
Andy Kowalczyk, Transmission Director - Southern Renewable Energy Association
Yvonne Cappel-Vickery, Clean Energy Grid ​Manager​ - Alliance for Affordable Energy
Will Hardy - Conservatives for Clean Energy Louisiana
Monika Gerhart - Gulf States Renewable Energy Association
Jonathan Monken - Converge Strategies

OR

Afternoon Concurrent Roundtable 2 - Policy and Regulatory Pathways. Facilitated by Dr. Greg Upton, LSU Energy Institute.
Louisiana's ability to meet unprecedented industrial energy demand and position itself as an energy leader depends on a policy and regulatory environment that enables rapid, cost-effective energy development while protecting consumers and the public interest. This facilitated roundtable discussion will examine current policy and regulatory barriers to deploying new generation capacity across all energy types, evaluate recent and potential regulatory reforms, and identify priority actions at the state and federal level that can accelerate project deployment. Roundtable participants will discuss how policy changes—including permitting reforms, tariff modifications, and innovative project bundling approaches—can reduce project costs and timelines while ensuring that economic development projects have access to affordable, reliable power sources that meet their specific needs.

Panelists include:
Shawn Daray, Partner - Jones Walker
Jeff Clark, President and CEO - Advanced Power Alliance
Erin Bendily, Vice President - Pelican Institute on Public Policy
Gordon Polozola, Partner - Kean Miller

Closing Reflections - Moderated by Lori LeBlanc, President/Owner - Aurora Solutions Group.

This closing session will bring together leaders from policy, industry, and economic development to reflect on the day's key takeaways and chart a path forward. Panelists will share candid perspectives on moving from conversation to action, including how Louisiana can accelerate development, strengthen local benefits, and build the cross-sector collaboration needed to establish Louisiana as a national energy leader.

Panelists include: 
Chett Chiasson, Executive Director - Greater Lafourche Port Commission
Erin Bendily, Vice President - Pelican Institute on Public Policy
Amanda McClinton, Executive Director - Department of Conservation and Energy