Leadership conference sparks energized discussions on power and workforce development

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SUN VALLEY ― Finding a balance between producing alternative energy methods, moving energy from where it is generated, and reducing CO2 emissions remains a priority globally, nationally and most especially here in the Gem State.

To help address these issues, this year’s Boise Metro Chamber Annual Leadership Conference in Sun Valley, April 21 through 23, centered on a theme of Energy in Idaho. The two-day event provided a forum for an array of highly energized panel discussions focused on exploring the “dynamic landscape of energy” in our state.

The 31st annual gathering included nearly 200 state business leaders and publicly elected officials, including Gov. Brad Little, former Gov. Butch Otter, and Sen. James Risch, who for one year occupied the governor’s chair prior to Otter.

Throughout the gathering, a multitude of business owners and local civic leaders mobilized to help energize their thoughts on how to balance Idaho’s energy production, and what it will take to meet the energy needs of those who call Idaho home today, as well as those who will in the future.

The conference got off to an energetic day-one start as Adam Richins, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Idaho Power led an appropriately titled opening discussion, “The Future of Energy.”

“The challenge for Idaho Power is to provide our customers with affordable and reliable services,” Richins said. “And that is what we’re trying to do.”

In fact, as the “fastest growing utility” in the U.S., Richins said the goal of Idaho Power is to reach 80% clean energy by 2030, to eventually eclipse that final 20% and then rely strictly on renewable energy by 2045.

However, such goals, he told attendees are easier said than done.

Referring to power transmission lines as the “highways of our energy systems,” he explained the complexity of moving energy generated in one place for customers statewide.

Permitting such projects he said can take years, lots of years.

To illustrate his point, Richins detailed the saga of the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line. The  plan for the 290-mile line originated in 2006 and has already cost nearly $1.7 billion, with $200 million allocated solely for permitting.

Approval for construction has yet to be granted.

“We are 18 years into this and still have not broken ground,” Richins said. “We’ve not really had any new transmission lies built in the western U.S. during the past 50 years.”

Complicating energy use and production in Idaho he said falls into the category of finding a balanced approach.

“Wind and solar energy production rely on the weather, and coal is becoming a thing of the past,” Richins said.

Plus, mother nature, he said, has created some of Idaho’s toughest energy years recently for hydroelectric production. “This will be the first year we will be at average for water in five years. It’s all about balance.”

Statewide, Idaho Power operates 17 hydroelectric dams. But as the facilities age, Richins said  they must be refurbished, which is both costly and time consuming.

Refurbishing facilities and implementing improvements were also hot topics of conversation that led into a panel highlighting Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and what the facility can still do to help improve energy production statewide.

Dr. John Wagner, who serves as the director of the facility, now in its 75th year of operation, led a spirited discussion on the history of INL that featured Little, and his two predecessors, Otter and Risch.

“A lot of people used to think of the site as a garbage disposal for nuclear spent fuel for the entire nation,” Otter said. “It wasn’t. It was much more than that.”

Even today, Otter said the value of INL, recognized as the “premier nuclear lab” nationwide, is as valuable as ever to the future of Idaho when it comes to energy.

Little described the INL as an “incredible piece of real estate” that can easily be taken for granted.

“Idaho is a great place to develop new energy,” Little said. “And we have got to figure out how to scale-up production of small modular reactors (SMR).”

Still in the development stage and under licensing review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, SMRs aim to offer clean, affordable nuclear options.

Wagner emphasized his firm belief in the effectiveness of SMR technology to help streamline the costs and sustainability of nuclear energy and the huge role such technology can play in Idaho’s energy future.

Other topics included panel discussions on corporate renewable energy costs, managing the security of Idaho’s power grid, emerging global technologies and a bonus presentation on Micron’s Boise expansion and energy goals.

Highly integral and tied closely to these specific areas is the subject of workforce development, or rather a dire need to develop a flourishing pipeline of qualified and educated workers to sustain Idaho’s future labor market.

Leaders from Boise State University, the University of Idaho and the College of Westen Idaho shared their views on how their institutions are responding to the needs of the energy sector.

CWI President Gordon Jones said he unquestionably believes in his school’s ability to adapt to changing times, emerging technologies and a commitment to workforce development.

“Specifically, when it comes to our students, this is about economic empowerment,” Jones said. “It’s about creating people ready to work for the organizations many of you in the room today represent.”

And that he said specifically involves the energy sector, such as solar workers, plumbers, electricians and other trades experiencing a demand for skilled workers.

“Energy is a critical area and we want to think about it broadly,” he said. “We’re all in on the things that are coming at us. It’s about adaptability and we’re excited to be responsive.”