IPPNY’s 40th Annual Clean Energy Spring Conference Set for March 24
As New Yorkers Face Rising Electric Bills, Energy Leaders Convene in Albany to Examine What’s Driving Costs and What Policymakers Can Do to Keep Power Affordable and Reliable
Albany, NY – Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY) invites members of the media to attend its 40th Annual Spring Conference on Tuesday, March 24, at the Albany Capital Center. As electricity costs continue to rise for households and businesses across the State, leaders in the energy sector will discuss the causes and offer pragmatic solutions.
This year’s event will bring together more than 200 energy leaders, policymakers, labor representatives, and industry experts to assess New York’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, with a central focus on how the State can keep energy affordable and reliable while meeting clean energy goals.
The 2026 agenda features timely discussions on New York’s growing grid reliability challenges, the cost implications of retiring and repowering aging facilities, and the urgent need for policy decisions that protect consumers from further utility bill increases. Speakers will examine what policymakers can do now to balance renewables, nuclear, natural gas, and emerging zero-emission technologies while maintaining grid reliability and managing costs for ratepayers.
A major highlight of the event is the Afternoon Keynote from Ruben Diaz Jr., former Bronx Borough President and State Assemblyman, and a member of the Leadership Council for Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future. Diaz Jr. will address the role that firm, dispatchable energy resources play in maintaining affordability, particularly for low- and moderate‑income communities, which are often the most exposed to rising utility bills and reliability disruptions.
The event will conclude with a poll presentation examining how New Yorkers view the State’s energy policies and the impact those policies have on electricity costs and household budgets.
WHAT: IPPNY’s 40th Annual Clean Energy Spring Conference
WHEN: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
WHO: IPPNY is pleased to welcome the following confirmed speakers (listed in order of the agenda):
- Rich Barlette, Constellation
- Rich Dewey, President & CEO, NYISO
- Panel: “How to Keep the Damn Lights On”
Moderated by John Reese, Morningside Energy
Panelists: Matt Schwall (Alpha Generation); Pallas LeeVanSchaick (Potomac Economics); Derek Hagaman (Gabel Associates); John Young (Mitsubishi Power) - Panel: “Developing Renewable Energy While Managing Uncertainty”
Moderated by Ekin Senlet (Barclay Damon)
Panelists: Kristina Persaud (Advanced Energy United);Alicia Gené Artessa (NY Offshore Wind Alliance); Ryan Stanton (Long Island Federation of Labor); Jeffrey Escobar (Sheppard Mullin) - Panel: “A Changing Energy System’s Impacts on Independent Power Generation in New York”
Moderated by Carl Liggio (Pharos Enterprise Intelligence)
Panelists: Mike Paxton (Castleton Commodities International); Michael Cordaro (NRG Energy); Bryan Mitchell (Sequent Energy Management, a Williams Company) - Afternoon Keynote: Ruben Diaz Jr., Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future; former Bronx Borough President; former State Assemblyman
Speaking on the need for natural gas, repowering facilities, and ensuring statewide energy affordability. - Jake Dilemani, Mercury Public Affairs
- Gavin J. Donohue, President & CEO, IPPNY
Media Availability:
Media availability will take place immediately following the conclusion of the Conference on the second level of the Albany Capital Center.
For media attendance or questions, please contact [email protected].
For more information on the conference, please visit our website at www.ippny.org.
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About IPPNY
IPPNY is New York’s trade association dedicated to representing the largest fleet of clean energy generation in New York State and companies involved in: the competitive power supply industry; the development of electric generating facilities; the generation, sale, and marketing of electric power; and natural gas transmission facilities. IPPNY Member companies produce the majority of New York’s electricity, utilizing all sources, such as wind, solar, hydro, energy storage, natural gas, low sulfur oil, biomass, and nuclear. Furthermore, IPPNY’s Members have invested more than $10 billion in capital improvements at their facilities, have supported nearly 19,000 long-term jobs across the State, and pay approximately $1.5 billion in local property taxes annually.
