Who Should Attend:
Utility employees, policymakers, technology experts, and managers who work on wildfire matters.
Related Events:
Power Supply Conference, Jan. 29, 2025
Overview:
Join us for this one-day conference to gain insights and strategies for addressing the multifaceted challenges wildfires pose to utilities in the West. As wildfires continue to threaten our region, collaboration is essential. During this event, you will engage with industry leaders and peers during dedicated networking sessions; hear from wildfire and policy experts during educational sessions; and explore potential collaborations that can lead to innovative solutions. Together, we can forge a path forward, ensuring public power is better prepared and more resilient in the face of this growing crisis.
Agenda:*
7:30–8:30 a.m. Registration open, breakfast
8:30–8:35 a.m. Welcome
Kurt Miller, CEO & Executive Director, NWPPA
8:35–9:30 a.m. Wildfire Prevention: Lessons Learned from One California Utility’s Perspective
Andrew Abranches, Senior Director of Wildfire Preparedness and Operations, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
9:30–10:15 a.m. After the Fire: Post-Fire Concerns and Long-Term Recovery Efforts
Randy Howard, General Manager, Northern California Power Agency
10:15–10:30 a.m. Break
10:30–11:15 a.m. Forming, Storming, and Norming: Working with Member, State, Local, and Tribal Partners
Jeff Jaworski, Operations Contracts and Fleet Manager, Homer Electric Association
11:15 a.m.–noon Smokey Bear Meets Uncle Sam: Utilities and Wildfire Grants Ashley Keltner, Distributed Energy Specialist, Flathead Electric Cooperative; Jeannine Parisi, Resiliency Program Manager, Eugene Water & Electric Board
Noon–1 p.m. Lunch
1–2:20 p.m. There Oughta Be a Law: Public Policy Efforts to Address Wildfire Challenges
Panelists: Randy Howard, General Manager, Northern California Power Agency; Ted Case, Executive Director, Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association; Colin Willenbrock, General Counsel, Snohomish PUD;
Moderator: Nicole Case, Principal, Case Strategies
2:20–3 p.m. Strategic Integration of Remote Sensing for Environmental Management and System Risk Reduction: A Pathway to Lower Insurance Premiums
Eric Brown, Vegetation Management Manager-Grid Assets, SMUD; Anna Marie Will, Insurance Program Manager, SMUD; and Lexi Fojtik, Account Manager, NV5 Geospatial
3–3:10 p.m. Break
3:10–3:40 p.m. U.S. Forest Service Do’s and Don’ts: Tips for a Constructive Partnership
Paul Hauser, General Manager, Trinity PUD
3:40–4:00 p.m. Landscaping on a Forest Scale: Collaboration for Landscape Scale Fire Risk Reduction
Nicole Miller, Project Development Manager, Blue Forest
4:00-4:45 p.m. Red Alert: Using Climate Data and New Tech to Predict Wildfire
Nick Russell, Vice President of Operations, Watch Duty; Scott Schifando, Vice President of Operations, ALERT West
4:45–5:00 p.m. Closing remarks
Kurt Miller, CEO & Executive Director, NWPPA
5–6:30 p.m. Networking reception
Attendees of Wildfires: What Utilities Need to Know and attendees of the Power Supply Conference are invited.
*Agenda subject to change.
Schedule:
Registration will begin at 7 a.m. Pacific Time, and breakfast be served from 7:30 to 8 a.m. The conference will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch, as well as morning and afternoon breaks, will be provided. A reception will be held from 5-6:30 p.m.
Location:
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
8235 NE Airport Way
Portland, OR 97220
(503) 281-2500
Room Rate: $159
Please book your room as soon as possible, but no later than Jan. 7, 2025, to secure this room rate.
Fees:
Utility Member Early Bird (ends 12/28/2024): $300
Utility Member Standard: $375
Associate Member Early Bird (ends 12/28/2024): $450
Associate Member Standard: $525
Non-Member Early Bird (ends 12/28/2024): $600
Non-Member Standard: $675
Canadian utility members, please contact registration@nwppa.org for pricing and to register.
Note: Organizations that register a group of employees will receive every fifth registration for free. For example, if you register five employees, you only pay for four; register 10 employees, you only pay for eight; and so on. There is nothing additional you need to do to receive this discount.
Cancellation Policy:
For webinars, virtual classes, and section meetings: cancellations at least five days prior to the event will receive a full refund; within 1-4 days or no show, the charge will be 100% of the registration fee.
For in-person events: cancellations at least 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund; within 15-29 days there will be a $100 fee; and within 1-14 days or no show, the charge will be 100% of the registration fee.
When possible, please send a substitute instead of canceling; NWPPA does not charge a fee for substitutions. To request a refund, please contact us at registration@nwppa.org or (360) 254-0109.
Continuing Hours:
This conference qualifies for 6 continuing hours. Certificates are available upon full completion of the conference.
Sponsors:
Click here to view sponsors