Newhouse Energy Summit
Congressman Dan Newhouse's Central Washington Energy Summit
8:00 AM – Doors open, registration, coffee and light pastries
9:00 – 9:10 AM – Welcome Remarks & Pledge of Allegiance – Dr. Sara Thompson Tweedy – President, Big Bend Community College
9:15 – 10:00 AM – Panel – Impact of the Climate Commitment Act
- Todd Myers, Moderator
- Vice President for Research, Washington Policy Center
- State Representative Alex Ybarra
- WA 13th Legislative District
- State Representative Tom Dent
- WA 13th Legislative District
- State Representative Stephanie Barnard
- WA 8th Legislative District
- State Senator Matt Boehnke
- WA 8th Legislative District
10:05 – 10:55 AM – Panel – The Future of Nuclear in WA State
- State Representative Stephanie Barnard, Moderator
- WA 8th Legislative District
- Tracy Yount
- Strategy & Portfolio Development Manager, Energy Northwest
- Corey Hines
- Director, Nuclear Science Center, Washington State University
- Sara Decker
- Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, X-Energy
11:00 – 11:45 AM – Panel – The Importance of the Columbia River System to Our Way of Life
- Kurt Miller – Moderator
- CEO and Executive Director, Northwest Public Power Association
- Molly Simpson
- Commissioner and President of the Board, Douglas County PUD
- Larry Schaapman
- Commissioner and President of the Board, Grant County PUD
- Kelly Allen
- Commissioner and President of the Board, Chelan County PUD
- Sheri Nelson
- Executive Director, Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM – Lunch & Keynote Speaker – Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04)
12:35 – 1:20 PM – Panel – Defending Our Lower Snake River Dams
- Katie Paxon – Moderator
- Legislative Assistant, Rep. Dan Newhouse
- Michelle Hennings
- Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers
- Clark Mather
- Executive Director, Northwest River Partners
- Neil Maunu
- Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
- Scott Simms
- CEO and Executive Director, Public Power Council
1:25 – 2:10 PM – Panel – Moses Lake Development and the Need for More Energy
- Noah Yantis – Moderator
- Chief of Staff, Rep. Dan Newhouse
- Rosendo Alvarado
- Moses Lake Plant Manager, Sila Nanotechnologies
- Nicholas Flanders
- CEO, twelve
- Andy Lapsa
- CEO, Stoke Space
- Dustin Swartz
- Mayor, City of Moses Lake
2:15 PM – Closing Remarks – Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04)
Impact of the Climate Commitment Act
Rep. Stephanie Barnard
LD-08
Stephanie Barnard was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 2022 and represents the 8th Legislative District, covering parts of Benton and Franklin counties, while living in Pasco. She serves as the ranking member of the House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee and also sits on the Environment and Energy, Rules, and Capital Budget Committees, focusing on innovation, workforce development, economic opportunity, and support for veterans. Energy innovation is a central priority for her, and she founded and chairs the Legislative Nuclear Energy Caucus as well as the Western States Advanced Nuclear Consortium, collaborating with leaders across states to promote reliable, affordable, and clean energy. She is also involved with the National Conference of State Legislatures Nuclear Workgroup and serves on the board of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators.
Rep. Tom Dent
LD-13
Sworn into office in 2015, Tom represents the 13th District, which includes Kittitas County along with parts of Grant and Yakima counties. He serves on the Early Learning and Human Services Committee and the Transportation Committee and is the ranking member on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, while also participating in several legislative committees and caucuses. His priorities focus on wildfire prevention through improved forest health and stronger fire suppression resources, supporting agriculture through trade, pesticide protection, and water management, and advancing aviation infrastructure and workforce training based on his background as a career pilot. A longtime resident of the Columbia Basin, Tom became a professional pilot in 1976 and founded Tom Dent Aviation, providing aerial application and flight services. He lives with his family on the Flying T Ranch near Moses Lake where they raise bison and produce hay.
Rep. Alex Ybarra
LD-13
Alex Ybarra was elected in 2019 as the state representative for the 13th District, representing parts of Central Washington including Kittitas, Grant, and portions of Adams and Douglas counties. His legislative priorities focus on protecting taxpayers, funding schools, creating family wage jobs, addressing water issues, and supporting agriculture while promoting economic growth and expanding opportunities for his constituents. He serves as the ranking member of the Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee, the assistant ranking member of the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee and is also a member of the Environment and Energy Committee, where he emphasizes civil debate while maintaining his conservative principles. Alex earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Central Washington University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and he has professional experience as an engineer with the Rocket Research Company and in leadership and analyst roles with the Grant County Public Utility District.
Senator Matt Boehnke
LD-08
Matt represents Washington’s 8th Legislative District in the State Senate after serving two terms in the House of Representatives. He is a lifelong Tri Citian, Army veteran, and cybersecurity professor focused on public safety, economic growth, and innovation in energy and technology. He serves as ranking member of the Environment, Energy and Technology Committee and sits on the Higher Education and Workforce Development, Ways and Means, and Rules committees. Matt has led work on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced nuclear energy, and data center policy. He has also worked across party lines to improve student safety, expand higher education access, strengthen mental health services, and support workforce development. Raised in Kennewick, he served more than 21 years in the U.S. Army aviation branch before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He now teaches cybersecurity at Columbia Basin College.
Todd Myers
Vice President for Research – Washington Policy Center
Todd Myers has more than two decades of experience in environmental and public policy with expertise in climate policy, forest health, salmon recovery, and prescription medicines. He previously served on the executive team at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and has held leadership roles with the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council, the Hanford Advisory Board, and the Washington Policy Center, where he serves as Vice President for Research. Todd is the author of two books on environmental policy, including Time to Think Small and Eco Fads. His writing has appeared in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, National Review, The Seattle Times, and USA Today. He has also appeared on CNBC, Fox News, the BBC, and CNN. In addition, he has supported bioscience research and nonprofit healthcare efforts through leadership positions with the Northwest Association of Biomedical Research and the Prescription Drug Assistance Foundation. Todd earned degrees from Whitman College and the University of Washington. He lives in the Cascade Mountains with his wife Maria and their honeybees.
The Future of Nuclear in Washington State
Tracy Yount
Strategy and Portfolio Development Manager – Energy Northwest
Tracy Yount is the Strategy and Portfolio Development Manager at Energy Northwest, where he leads strategic engagement with member utilities, drives initiatives to expand energy service offerings, and identifies new generation opportunities to support regional energy reliability. His work helps position Energy Northwest as a key participant in addressing public power challenges and opportunities, engaging with utilities, regulators, and industry stakeholders to navigate the evolving energy landscape. Tracy serves as a Board Member for the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee (PNUCC), an Executive Member of the Washington PUD Association Managers Committee, and a Board Member for the Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA).
Sarah Decker
Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs – X-Energy
Sara began her career on Capitol Hill as a member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and has almost two decades of experience in energy policy. She holds both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Public Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology and currently serves as the Chair to the Advisory Board for the Jimmy and Rosslyn Carter School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech. Sara enjoys hiking, golfing, food, wine and friends and currently resides in Washington, DC.
Corey Hines
Director, Nuclear Science Center and NUCS Core Facility - WSU
Hines is the director of the Nuclear Science Center (NSC) at Washington State University. The NSC is a collaborative center that operates WSU’s 1 MW TRIGA reactor, engages in applied and fundamental research, and seeks to advance students throughout their careers with opportunities in nuclear science. Corey has over 18 years of experience in research and test reactor management, maintains a senior reactor operator license, was responsible for leading the core fuel conversion in 2008, was a contributing team member to the facility operating relicensing activities completed in 2011, and is responsible for teaching and licensing over 75 reactor operators and senior reactor operators. He dedicates his time to facility safety, growth in innovative research, and the three-fold mission of the NSC – education, research, and operational excellence.
The Importance of the Columbia River to Our Way of Life
Kurt Miller
CEO and Executive Director - Northwest Public Power Association
Kurt Miller is one of the nation’s leading advocates for community-owned utilities and their role in our clean, reliable, and affordable energy future. His expertise in energy policy has been featured in over 50 contributed pieces across numerous regional and national news outlets, and he is a frequent commentator on T.V., radio, and policy panels. In 2024, Kurt was awarded the BPA Administrator’s Excellence Award for Exceptional Public Service for his advocacy for the lower Snake River dams. As the CEO & Executive Director of the Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA), Kurt represents millions of public power customers across the Western United States and British Columbia who depend on community-owned electric utilities to power their homes, farms, businesses, and transportation.
Molly Simpson
Commissioner and President of the Board – Douglas County PUD
Molly Simpson is a fourth generation member of a Douglas County wheat farming family. Molly graduated from Eastmont High School in 1983 and earned a communications degree from the University of Washington in 1987. For many years, Molly has been very active in the community, volunteering time to many different service, school and sports organizations. Molly was previously employed as a Project Coordinator at the Washington Apple Commission. Molly began her service to Douglas County PUD in 2015. Molly is active on Washington Public Utility Districts Association’s Energy Committee and Northwest Public Power Association's Board of Directors.
Larry Schaapman
Commissioner and President of the Board – Grant County PUD
Commissioner Schaapman has served as a Grant PUD commissioner since 2012 and is a longtime Grant County resident of more than 40 years. Over that time, he has owned and operated several local businesses and now owns and manages his family farm in the Quincy area. During his career he has also served on multiple agricultural boards, including the Washington State Farm Bureau.
Sheri Nelson
Executive Director - Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Sheri D. Nelson joined the Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association (WRECA) as Executive Director in November, 2025. She offers more than two decades of experience in business, public relations and government affairs spanning the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining WRECA, she served as President of Nelson Public Affairs; Washington State Assistant and Deputy Secretary of State under Secretary Kim Wyman; Western Regional Senior Director for PhRMA and Director of Government Affairs for the Association of Washington Business. Nelson also served as Community Relations Manager in Washington State for Sierra Pacific Industries, a fourth- generation family owned and operated wood products business. Her passion for serving rural communities is notable in her cultivation of relationships with local, state, regional and federal decision-makers which has earned her a reputation for thoughtful, effective advocacy on behalf of rural communities and industries.
Kelly Allen
Commissioner and President of the Board – Chelan County PUD
Commissioner Kelly Allen was elected in 2022 to represent at large District B and began serving her four year term in January 2023. She previously served on the Chelan City Council from 2016 to 2020. Kelly owns the Kelly Allen Agency, a full service insurance agency in Chelan, and she and her husband also operate Allen Construction Services, Inc., a residential construction company. She is the past president of the Chelan Rotary Club and serves on the steering committee for the Wenatchee chapter of Braver Angels, an organization focused on bridging political divides. In her free time, Kelly enjoys hiking with her dogs, biking with her husband, and golfing with her daughter Hailey.
Defending Our Lower Snake River Dams
Michelle Hennings
Executive Director -Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Michelle Hennings has worked with the organization for over 20 years, beginning as finance director in the mid 1990s and becoming executive director in 2014. She oversees daily operations while advancing the organization’s mission through advocacy and education at the local, state, and national levels on issues such as agricultural tax policies, farm programs, and the importance of the Snake River dams. Hennings has built strong partnerships with government officials, agricultural groups, and the National Association of Wheat Growers to support the future of wheat producers. A longtime advocate for the lower Snake River dams and Marine Highway 84, she frequently speaks to diverse audiences, engages with national media, and works with stakeholders across the Columbia Snake River System to promote agricultural transportation and inland waterways. She also leads educational tours and efforts in Washington DC to inform policymakers, and she holds a degree in accounting and business from Eastern Washington University after attending Washington State University.
Niel Maunu
Executive Director - Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
Neil leads the association’s work with Congress, federal agencies, and regional leaders on transportation, trade, energy, and environmental policy. The association represents a wide membership that includes ports, transportation providers, agricultural and forest product producers, utilities, manufacturers, and labor groups across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. He also serves as executive director of the Inland Ports and Navigation Group, focusing on litigation efforts to defend the Lower Snake River dams, and has testified before Congress to represent navigation stakeholders. Maunu brings nearly 25 years of leadership experience in business and the military, including more than 17 years in the Pacific Northwest maritime industry in roles such as operations, business development, and commercial negotiations. He previously worked for Tidewater Transportation and Terminals and retired from the Oregon National Guard as a lieutenant colonel. He earned a degree in environmental geography and engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an Executive MBA from Washington State University.
Clark Mather
Executive Director – NW River Partners
Clark Mather was appointed executive director of NW River Partners in April 2024, where he reports to the board and leads efforts to educate communities and advocate for clean, reliable, and affordable hydropower. He joined the organization after 11 years with Tacoma Public Utilities, including seven years as government affairs officer. Earlier in his career, he served in senior advisory roles for United States Senator Maria Cantwell and former Congressman Norm Dicks, focusing on regional issues such as energy, defense, veterans, water, public lands, economic development, and agriculture. Mather earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in communications and political science from Washington State University, graduating summa cum laude, and has served as chair of the National Hydropower Association legislative affairs committee and is a graduate of the American Leadership Forum.
Scott Simms
Executive Director - Public Power Council
Scott Simms joined the Public Power Council as Executive Director in 2019 and brings more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry. He provides strategic leadership for consumer owned utilities that are preference customers of the Bonneville Power Administration and also serves as Chairman of the Columbia River Treaty Power Group. Before joining the Public Power Council, Scott spent 13 years at the Bonneville Power Administration, where he served as Communications Director and held leadership roles in long term power planning and the Columbia River Treaty negotiation process. Earlier in his career, he worked in senior communications roles at Portland General Electric and at public affairs firms serving major commercial clients in the Pacific Northwest. A native of Snoqualmie, Washington, Scott studied Public Relations and Political Science at Washington State University and graduated with distinction. He and his family enjoy exploring the Pacific Northwest and traveling internationally.
Moses Lake Development and the Need for More Energy
Nicholas Flanders
Co-Founder and CEO – Twelve
Nicholas is the co-founder and CEO of Twelve, a carbon transformation company pioneering technology that converts captured CO₂ into sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials as alternatives to fossil fuels. Since its founding in 2015, Twelve has raised over $900 million and is scaling its innovations—particularly sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which can cut lifecycle emissions by up to 90%—to help decarbonize major industries like aviation. Prior to Twelve, Nicholas served as COO of Levo and worked at McKinsey’s Cleantech practice on global energy research. He holds degrees from Cornell University and Stanford University and has been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and an Echoing Green Climate Fellow.
Andy Lapsa
Co-Founder & CEO - Stoke Space
Andy Lapsa is the co-founder and CEO of Stoke Space, a company developing fully and rapidly reusable rockets to unlock a scalable space economy. Stoke’s Nova rocket is designed to deliver low-cost, on-demand access to, through, and from space, combining high-performance propulsion with a novel, liquid-cooled metallic heat shield that enables full and rapid upper-stage reusability. Prior to founding Stoke, Lapsa spent nearly a decade at Blue Origin, where he played a key role in the development of the BE-4 engine and later led the BE-3 and BE-3U engine programs. He holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University.
Dustin Swartz
Mayor – Moses Lake
Dustin Swartz serves as the Mayor of Moses Lake, Washington, and is currently in his fifth year on the City Council and third year as Mayor. Appointed by fellow councilmembers to lead the city, he combines municipal leadership with extensive experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Dustin is the Manager of J and M Electric, Inc., a commercial and industrial electrical contracting firm serving Eastern Washington. As a Journey Level Electrician and State Licensed Electrical Administrator, he oversees projects for organizations including Aerotec, AstaReal, Twelve, the Grand Coulee Dam, and several municipalities. His experience in both electrical administration and local government gives him a strong understanding of the connection between industry needs and public energy policy. He is committed to supporting sustainable development and reliable energy infrastructure in Eastern Washington.
Rosendo Alvarado
Moses Lakes Plant Manager - Sila Nanotechnologies
Rosendo Alvarado serves as Senior Plant Director for Sila’s Moses Lake manufacturing plant, overseeing plant operations including staffing, commissioning, ongoing operations, and engineering support. Prior to joining Sila, he spent 26 years at REC Silicon, where he held several leadership roles including FBR Unit Manager, Production Manager, and Commissioning & Startup Superintendent at the REC Butte facility. In addition to his professional leadership, Rosendo is actively involved in the community as a Board Member for the Boys & Girls Club, a member of the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees, and a member of the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center Advisory Board.