Thursday, May 11, 2006     

It’s time to register for the NEEP Spring Economic Outlook Conference!

New England's Power Puzzle:

Price, Supply, Infrastructure and Regulation

Keynote Speaker:  Susan Tierney, Managing Principal, The Analysis Group

The New England Economic Partnership’s upcoming semiannual economic outlook conference will focus on energy.  .As prices climb higher, New England must consider the future role of energy within the region.  Themes to be covered will include:

• In what ways will demand change in response to higher prices? 
• Do we have the capability to meet future energy needs locally, or will we be forced to accept conditions dictated by international markets? 
• Is our local infrastructure adequate for our evolving needs?
• Will our economy’s ability to grow be diminished?  How can governments and policy makers aid the market in meeting both current and long- term needs?

Join NEEP’s experts for a comprehensive discussion of these issues and expert analysis of present and future economic conditions. The morning session will begin with an analysis of the current outlook for the US economy by Gus Faucher, Senior Economist of Moody's Economy.com. NEEP’s forecasters will present the economic outlook for the region and for each of the New England states, as well as provide commentary on critical issues that will affect growth in the region.

Susan Tierney, Managing Principal of the Analysis Group and formerly Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy, will give the conference’s keynote address. Ms. Tierney's remarks will address the conference’s main theme–the future role for energy in  the New England region.

When:
Thursday, May 11, 2006

, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where:
The Wyndham Westborough Hotel
(converting to Doubletree Boston/Westborough)

Westborough, MA

Cost:
$120 for NEEP members,
$155 for nonmembers*

*Nonmembers registering by May 1, 2006may register at the member rate of $120.00.

For more information:
Call Carol Hazerjian at
508-660-1968 or e-mail at chazerjian@verizon.net.

8:00 - 8:20

8:20 - 8:30

Michael Goodman, Director of Economic and Public Policy Research, University of Massachusetts President's Office

8:30 - 9:45

Gus Faucher, Senior Economist, Moody's Economy.com

9:45 - 10:00

10:00 - 12:00

Regional Overview

Ross Gittell, James R. Carter  Professor, University of New Hampshire, and NEEP Vice President

Maine

Charles Colgan, Professor, University of Southern Maine

Rhode Island

Edward Mazze, Dean, College of Business Administration, University of Rhode Island

Massachusetts

Alan Clayton-Matthews, Associate Professor in Public Policy, University of Massachusetts, and NEEP Director

Connecticut

Edward Deak, Professor, Fairfield University

Vermont

Jeff Carr, Vice President and Senior Economist, Economic Policy Resources, Inc.

New Hampshire

Dennis Delay, Director of Special Projects, Workforce Opportunity Council

Audience participation with forecast managers and Gus Faucher

Michael Goodman , Moderator

12:00 - 12:45

12:45 - 2:30

AFTERNOON PRESENTATIONS

Keynote Speaker:  Susan Tierney, Managing Principal, The Analysis Group

Moderator:   Carrie Conaway, Deputy Director, New England Public Policy Center, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Lee Olivier, President, NU Transmission Group

Audience participation with presenters