About the Conference
The Midwest Energy Policy Series invites industry leaders and regional partners to the 2025 conference on Renewables & Efficiency—a two-day event. Taking place in Columbia, Missouri, this event will be hosted both in person and virtually over Zoom—all at an exceptionally affordable rate.
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Free Meals & Parking: Enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks, and on-site parking.
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Hybrid Attendance: Can’t make it to Columbia? Join virtually for the full conference experience.
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CLE Credits: Earn approximately 14.4 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, subject to final approval.
This conference offers attendees a chance to hear from national experts about programs, projects, and policies that effectively advance the use of renewable energy. Participants can expect insights into emerging trends, find solutions for integrating renewable energy sources, and explore pathways to a more efficient energy future.
A full list of speakers, sponsors, and schedule will be available on the event website as they become available, so please check back regularly.
The 2025 Midwest Energy Policy Series on Renewables & Efficiency is organized by the Missouri Energy Initiative.
Event Details
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Date: April 23-24, 2025
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Time: Day 1 (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) | Day 2 (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
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Location: In-person or Virtual via Zoom
Poehlmann Educational Center
4968 South Rangeline Road
Columbia, MO 65201-8973
Schedule of Events
APR 23 | DAY 1
APR 24 | DAY 2
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
Check-In & Breakfast
Poehlmann Educational Center
Food provided by Panera Bread
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Opening Remarks
Josh Campbell, Missouri Energy Initiative
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Session 1: 2025 Legislation
Rep. Josh Hurlbert, Missouri House of Rep.
Session 2: Industrial Efficiency
Graeme Miller, US DOE Central Onsite Energy
Technical Assistance Partnership
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
Poehlmann Educational Center
Networking with snacks
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Session 3: Impact of ISO on Local Renewables
Marc Keyser, Midcontinent Independent SO
Yasser Bahbaz, Southwest Power Pool
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
LUNCH
Poehlmann Educational Center
Food provided by Panera Bread
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Session 4: Ways Commercial Properties Can Save
Kim Ansari, Clemons Real-Estate
Mary English, Metropolitan Energy Center
Kevin Pearson, McCownGordon
Jacob Hannan, MCR Performance Solutions
Edward Schmidt, MCR Performance Solutions
Brendan Pierce, Budderfly
1:30 PM- 2:00 PM
Break
Poehlmann Educational Center
Networking with snacks
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Session 5: Demand Response
Marsha McClanahan, City Utilities of Springfield
Kahryn Riley, Uplight
Alex Antal, Regulatory Assistance Project
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Session 6: PACE
Daniel Bunselmeyer, Bernhard
Ryan Hoff, Bernhard
4:00 PM
End of Event - Closing Remarks
Josh Campbell, Missouri Energy Initiative
4:30 - 5:30 PM
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
6:00 PM
HAPPY HOUR @ Broadway Hotel, Optional
Tour of Broadway Hotel, RSVPs only, Sign up sheet
at check-in table
MEI Board & Speakers Dinner @ Broadway Hotel, Invite only
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
Check-In & Breakfast
Poehlmann Educational Center
Food provided by Panera Bread
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Opening Remarks
Josh Campbell, Missouri Energy Initiative
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Session 7: Center for Rural Energy Security MU
Michael Sykuta, Center for Rural Energy Security MU
Session 8: Future of EE Post MEEIA
Brian File, Evergy
Tim Via, Ameren
Geoff Marke, Missouri Office of the Public Counsel
Wally Nixon, Arkansas Public Service Commission
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
Poehlmann Educational Center
Networking with snacks
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Session 9: Residential Codes and Technology
Cliff Garrett, Spire
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
LUNCH
Poehlmann Educational Center
Food provided by Panera Bread
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Session 10: Net-metering
Jon Dolan, MOSEIA
William Hatch, Guarantee Electrical Company
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Break
Poehlmann Educational Center
Networking with snacks
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Session 11: Advancements in Solar Delivery
Andrew Linhares, Solar Energy Industry Association
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Session 12: Agriculture and Cattle Working with Solar
Dusty Walter, University of Missouri
2:00 PM
End of Event - Closing Remarks
Josh Campbell, Missouri Energy Initiative
Agenda Highlights
Session: Impact of ISO on Local Renewables
With energy demands on the rise, this session explores the significant changes and developments occurring in ISOs (Independent System Operators) with privately developed energy and transmission and how that impacts both demand and capacity.
Session: Agriculture and Cattle Working with Solar
Research from Rutgers and the University of Missouri has demonstrated ways to successfully combine solar installations with cattle and other farming operations, providing landowners with energy security and independence. This session explores the cross section of rural energy development and deployment with our agricultural processes.
Session: Ways Commercial Properties Can Save
This session highlights strategies ways commercial properties can save through HVAC commissioning and other ways for improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings through sharing of success stories and avenues for success.
Session: Net-Metering
As solar adoption grows, net-metering policies that reflect the positive impact solar has for customers and the grid are in high demand. This discussion examines current policies and possible improvements.
Session: Center for Rural Energy Security - MU
Discover collaboration and research opportunities at the University of Missouri, including connections among energy, engineering, and agriculture.
Session: PACE
Missouri PACE saw a record year with nearly $92 million in financing in 2025, bringing total PACE financing in Missouri to nearly $400 million. This session will explore several PACE projects and include a tour and discussion with auditors/engineers.
Session: 2025 Legislation
Stay updated on key energy policy developments in Missouri and at the federal level.
Session: Demand Response
Demand Response is critical for managing energy usage and cost effectiveness. Learn why it remains a pivotal strategy for utilities and consumers alike, and how to make sure it is cost effective.
Session: Future of Energy Efficiency Post-MEEIA
High demand and rising costs are putting pressure on energy efficiency programs, even though efficiency remains the most cost-effective energy resource, here we will discuss the future of efficiency programs and whether MEEIA will continue to be a robust successful example of saving money and energy or something else is in store for Missouri IOUs and their customers.
Session: Residential Codes and Technology
This session will discuss building code legislation and development along with new technologies and efforts in residential gas products.
Session: Industrial Efficiency
As energy prices increase, technology advances, and on-shoring opportunities emerge, industrial efficiency is essential for cost savings and economic growth.
Session: Advancements in Solar Delivery
This session explores how strategies to grow Solar to benefit businesses and households.
How to Report Your MCLE Hours
Missouri Bar Program ID #766854
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Log in
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Go to mobar.org and select Sign In (upper‑right corner).
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Enter your Missouri Bar credentials to reach your member homepage.
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Open the MCLE reporting portal
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From the homepage, hover over MCLE and click Report My MCLE.
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On the Reporting Main Menu, choose #1 Report Program Attendance.
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Locate our program
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In the search form, type 766854 in the Program ID field and hit Search.
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You can also search by Sponsor (Missouri Energy Initiative) or Title (“Midwest Energy Policy Series: Renewables & Efficiency”).
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Select the program when it appears in the results list.
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Enter your actual attendance hours
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The system will display the maximum hours approved.
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Record only the hours you personally attended on April 23‑24, 2025.
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Click Submit to add the hours to your annual report.
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Finish your annual compliance report
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All CLE credits for the 2024‑2025 cycle must be earned by June 30, 2025 and reported by July 31, 2025.
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Trouble finding the program?
If 766854 doesn’t appear, the accreditation record may still be processing. Email us at meps@moenergy.org, or contact the Missouri Bar MCLE Department at mcle@mobar.org for assistance.
That’s it—your MEPS attendance is now on the books.
Why Attend?
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Expert Insights & Knowledge
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Hear from nationally recognized speakers covering new programs, funding opportunities, and policies shaping renewables and efficiency.
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Networking & Collaboration
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Meet potential partners, connect with thought leaders, and explore solutions for advancing renewable energy in your community.
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Cost-Effective & Convenient
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In-person or virtual options both offer two full days of programming, free meals (in-person), and low-cost registration. Enjoy significant savings compared to other regional conferences.
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Inclusive Discounts
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Early-bird pricing, student discounts, member rates, and more—plus complimentary registration for approved media, speakers, and Missouri Energy Initiative (MEI) members.
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Students
Discounted rates with valid ID (contact meps@moenergy.org)
Media
Free passes for reporters and journalists (credentials required).
Speakers
Complimentary registration for confirmed presenters.
Sponsors
Special corporate sponsor packages available for brand visibility and discount access.
Meet the Speakers
Executive Director
Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association (MOSEIA)
Jon Dolan became Executive Director of the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association in late July 2022. He represents industry providers, stakeholders and organizations which have come together through MOSEIA to promote the use and benefits of solar energy. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the association, legislative and regulatory advocacy, communications, and the broad range of member training and events such as MOSEIA's Annual Solar Summit. Currently in his nineteenth year as a trade association chief executive, Jon previously served as the chief Executive of three large statewide healthcare trade associations in MO, NJ, & FL. Jon has significantly expanded the membership, advocacy efforts, and fiscal position of the associations he led. The pace of change in renewable energy is only outmatched by his enthusiasm in partnering with dedicated MOSEIA leaders creating new success and improving the real, relevant, and recognizable value of MOSEIA membership and its impact on the Missouri sector and state energy policy & programs. In his prior career, he served for nearly a decade in the Missouri State Senate and House of Representatives. His Senate leadership included service as the Majority Caucus Chairman and Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and he served as a member of the Senate Aging, Health & Families Committee. A former Major in the US Army National Guard, his active-duty service includes support of Operation Enduring Freedom as Commander of the 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment assigned to Joint Task Force GTMO, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and other domestic and overseas missions. His active duty training includes the US Army Military Police Captain’s Course, the Public Affairs Officer Course and the US Army Airborne School. His early career included nine years in the security management field, first in retail security management, then as a Special Agent in the Office of Security at the Central Intelligence Agency and later as a security systems consultant. Jon has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Missouri and a Master of Arts from Webster University. He has been married to Leanne Dolan (nee Winkler) for twenty-nine years and they have two adult children.
Jacob Hannan
Manager, Energy Products/ Services
MCR Performance Solutions, LLC
Jacob is a Manager at MCR and has over 15 years of experience in energy efficiency, data analysis, and research. His expertise includes demand side management (policy, planning, and management) and data science. He is an individual member of the Association of Energy Engineers and is a Certified Energy Manager. He has served on the Planning Committee of DOE’s Technical Information Network for Solid-State Lighting, committees for the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, and several other national and regional organizations focused on energy efficiency. Prior to joining MCR, Jacob was a Senior Program Associate with the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. Jacob holds master’s degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Cornell University.
Alex Antal
Principal
Regulatory Assistance Project
Alex Antal is a Principal at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), an independent, global NGO advancing policy innovation in the energy sector. He leverages over a decade of expertise in energy regulation and policy to drive clean energy transitions. His focus on regulatory strategy strengthens RAP's mission to develop data-informed, real-world policy solutions. Prior to joining RAP in August 2024, Alex served as Policy and Legal Advisor at the Missouri Public Service Commission, advising Commission Chair Scott Rupp and later Commissioner John Mitchell. From February 2017, Alex led strategic initiatives, enhancing Missouri's regulatory framework and providing legal and policy counsel. Previously, Alex served as Associate General Counsel at the Missouri Department of Economic Development – Division of Energy, offering legal guidance on energy regulation and policy. Alex also served as Assistant Staff Counsel at the Missouri Public Service Commission, providing legal analysis and support on utility regulation. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, graduating cum laude from Saint Louis University with a minor in Economics, and a Juris Doctor with a concentration in International Law from the same institution.
Chief Economist
Missouri Office of the Public Counsel
Geoff Marke, PhD, is the Chief Economist for the Missouri Office of the Public Counsel (“OPC”). In this position, he manages a technical staff that advocates for Missouri ratepayers in utility regulatory and legislative filings involving electric, gas and water/sewer companies. He has provided expert testimony on a variety of issues including, but not limited to: renewable energy, class cost of service studies, performance-based regulation, lead service line replacements, demand-side management, stranded assets, and integrated resource planning. Geoff has been a frequent speaker at NARUC, NASUCA, and the Michigan State’s Institute of Public Utilities conferences/seminars. He has also served as a US AID/US Dept. of State/NARUC representative to the countries of Angola, North Macedonia, Georgia, and Indonesia. He is from St. Louis, Missouri and currently resides in Jefferson City, Missouri with his wife (Kathryn), two children (Allison and Walter), two cats (Zipper and Pesto), and loyal dog (Rocket).
Dusty Walter
Director, Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center
University of Missouri Columbia
Dusty Walter received his Ph.D. in Forestry from the University of Missouri in 2011 where his research focused on silvopasture, the management of woodlots for forage production that animals remove through appropriate grazing practices. Dr. Walter is currently the Director of the MU Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center. In this role he oversees operations of University Farms in the Central part of the state. He collaboratively supports research on a wide range of interests including soil health, forest management, pond management, livestock, dairy, forages, and wildlife management. His broad-base involvement in natural resources and agricultural production builds upon better than a decade of cross-disciplinary experience that is rooted in integrated stewardship of farm resources. He sees exciting opportunities through Agrivoltaics to merge productive sciences in agriculture with sustainable solar energy.
Daniel Bunselmeyer, CEM
Project Manager, Engineer Division
Bernhard TME
Director of Engineering
Bernhard TME
Ryan Hoff is the Director of Engineering at the Bernhard St. Louis office. With over a decade of industry experience, he specializes in optimizing mechanical systems through design, commissioning, retro-commissioning, and energy modeling. His expertise spans healthcare, higher education, commercial, and government sectors. He manages a team of 13 engineers and designers. A licensed Professional Engineer in four states as well as a Certified Energy Manager, Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology. He has led numerous high-profile design projects for major institutions, including Washington University in St. Louis and the Washington University School of Medicine. Notably, he conducted a comprehensive energy audit of 13 buildings to meet the City of St. Louis Benchmarking requirements. Under Ryan’s leadership, Bernhard has expanded its design and energy offerings to include Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) projects. His efforts have resulted in audits covering over 29 million square feet across 27 states, generating more than $3.5 billion in PACE proceeds.
Regional Director - External Affairs
Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Marc Keyser is Regional Director - External Affairs, focused on delivering customer solutions both inside and outside the MISO footprint. Marc serves MISO by leveraging his extensive knowledge and understanding of MISO’s operations, planning functions, and the varying perspectives of MISO’s members and stakeholders. During his eighteen years with MISO, he has held a diverse series of roles, including market engineering support, software development, market design, project management, leadership of customer support, stakeholder affairs, and integration functions, and management of several entity-wide programs. Prior to joining MISO, he spent five years in electric sourcing and transaction roles with Consumers Energy, a Michigan investor-owned utility. He holds MSE and BSE degrees from the Nuclear Engineering Program at the University of Michigan.
State Representative
Missouri House of Representatives
When I ran for my first term in 2020, Rose was four and JJ was two. We’ve added two more kids since then - Rebekah and Michael. But my reason for running hasn’t changed - How can I preserve the freedoms and opportunities I had for my children? How can I make Missouri the best place possible for them to grow up in, raise a family in, or find a job in? I approach that from a worldview taken from the Founding Fathers that government’s primary responsibility is to preserve your rights and to referee when rights collide. I believe that, from the moment of conception, each of you have rights, chief among them the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That the Bill of Rights does not give you the right to anything - as you already had those rights - but stops government from interfering in your life. That the smallest form of government is the best form of government. I grew up in Kearney before moving to Smithville and marrying my high school sweetheart, Ashley, in 2007. After graduating from Park University Magna Cum Laude, I worked for Congressman Sam Graves for 11 years, listening to constituents and helping them break through government red tape . I was elected to one term on the Smithville Board of Alderman in 2018 and am also a the Past President of the Smithville Rotary Club, where I have been a member since 2011. Our family are members of One Church in Liberty. Together, we live in the Diamond Crest subdivision in Smithville.
Manager Residential Sales
Spire
Manager of Residential Sales at Spire with 27 years of experience in the energy industry. BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri Columbia. Specializing in technologies, building codes and data driven analytics to support our industry and customers. Served on technical committees for the American Gas Association including BECS (Building Energy Codes and Standards) and the Sustainable Growth. Previously managed programs at Spire including Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Energywise Dealer and Insulation Financing.
Director
MCR Performance Solutions, LLC
Ed is a Director at MCR and has 30 years of experience in energy efficiency and resource planning, forecasting, rates and regulation in gas and electric utilities. He currently applies his experience to the nascent products, services, and markets related to electrification from a gas as well as electric perspective. His utility expertise includes all aspects of program policy, planning, program design and implementation, as well as utility regulatory policy analysis and testimony in support of rate, forecasting, and EE and related matters. Prior to joining MCR, Ed was Director of Regional Initiatives for Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships where he coordinated energy efficiency program efforts for utilities and other ratepayer funded program administrators in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Previously, Ed gained experience in diverse roles in gas and electric utilities in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Ed holds a master’s in economics from Fordham University.
Executive Director
Center for Rural Energy Security - MU
Dr. Michael Sykuta is an economist and Associate Professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Missouri. He was appointed Executive Director of FRI effective January 1, 2021. Dr. Sykuta's research focuses on contracting practices, firm organization, organizational governance, and the implications of regulation and government programs for firm and industry behavior. He has published articles in such peer-reviewed journals as Journal of Law and Economics, Financial Review, Journal of Corporate Finance, Antitrust Bulletin, Managerial and Decision Economics; and book chapters on econometrics of contracting and organizational economics research. He co-edited and published The Elgar Companion to Transaction Cost Economics with Peter G. Klein. He is an affiliate scholar with the International Center for Law & Economics and is co-editor of the Social Science Research Network (SSRN)’s New Institutional Economics eJournal. He is Co-founder and Director of the Contracting and Organizations Research Institute (CORI), an interdisciplinary research program at the University of Missouri focused on the economics and law of contracting, organization, and corporate governance. He earned a PhD in economics from Washington University in St. Louis and a BS in economics from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Prior to joining the faculty at Missouri in 1998, he was on faculty at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.
Senior Manager, Central Region
Solar Energy Industry Association
Andrew Linhares is SEIA’s Senior Manager for the Central Region. Andrew supervises regulatory and legislative matters impacting solar and storage policy across the Midwest, principally in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Prior to joining SEIA in 2024, Andrew spent 12 years at Renew Missouri, a statewide clean energy advocacy group working to advance renewable and energy efficiency policy. Andrew served as the Regional Director and Senior Counsel for Renew Missouri where he managed the St. Louis office and engaged with electric and gas utilities, state and local government regulators, elected officials, and solar and wind industry leaders. Andrew also spent years serving as the organization’s Staff Attorney, litigating cases before the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Missouri courts. Andrew holds a J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in English from Truman State University. Andrew works from South St. Louis City, where he lives with his wife and two young children. Andrew enjoys running, softball, and playing music with his band Random FOG.
Director of Sustainability & Project Engagement
Budderfly
Brendan Pierce has been in the Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Industry for over 6 years since he joined Budderfly when it was a small start-up. He has had roles at the company in Sales, Sustainability, and Operations where he has seen energy efficiency, electrification, and generation project lifecycles from both the customer and development perspectives. He has helped oversee new solution initiatives at Budderfly and lead the customer adoption of such solutions.
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