Who Should Attend:
Utility environmental professionals (new and experienced); government agency staff; vendors; and anyone tasked with or interested in environmental issues, regulatory compliance, or mitigation in the environmental arena of electric utilities. This meeting is open to all.
Related Events:
Environmental Task Force Meeting Field Trip, Sept. 14, 2026
HAZWOPER 8-Hour First Responder Awareness, Operations, and Refresher Training for Utility Personnel, Sept. 16, 2026
SPCC: Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure for Utilities, Sept. 17, 2026
Overview:
This is a regular meeting of the long-standing Environmental Task Force that examines environmental issues and the impact of current and proposed environmental regulations on electric utilities. Join your colleagues to review and discuss new and proposed regulations and issues facing each utility and to hear from subject matter experts about key issues of the day and new technology/services. This is a solution-focused learning and networking venue that brings utility, industry, and government environmental professionals together on a regular basis. This meeting occurs three times each year. In 2026, it will occur Jan. 26, April 13, and Sept. 15.
Agenda:*
8-8:25 a.m.: Welcome & Introductions
Matt Stevie, Environmental Project Manager and ETF Chair, Okanogan County PUD
8:25-8:50 a.m.: Welcome to Montana: Opportunities and Challenges
Arnie Sorrell, Safety Manager, Mission Valley Power
8:55-9:15 a.m.: Market Update
Les Joel, General Manager, Transformer Technologies
9:20-10 a.m.: Spills Panel
Moderator: Don Wheeler, Environmental Coordinator, Chelan County PUD
Panelists: Jessie Balbiani, Environmental Specialist, Snohomish County PUD and
Bill Norris, Environmental Compliance Manager, Idaho Power Company
10:10-10:55 a.m.: Practical Remediation of Petroleum Releases Off Utility Property
Sean Ronan, Senior Scientist, Geosyntec Consultants
11-11:45 a.m.: Environmental Compliance Process
Bill Norris, Environmental Compliance Manager, Idaho Power Company
11:45 a.m. - Noon: Morning Wrap-Up and Discussion
Noon-1 p.m: Lunch provided by NWPPA
1-1:45 p.m.: Real-world Spill Response Coordination
Tyson Hurst, General Manager, GrayMar Environmental Services, LLC
2-2:45p.m.: Crisis Communications
Melissa Greenwood, Manager of Communications, Ravalli Electric Co-Op
2:45-3 p.m.: Transition to Utility-Only Roundtable Session
3-4 p.m.: Utility-only Roundtable Discussion
Moderator: Matt Stevie, Chair Environmental Task Force
4-5:30 p.m.: Networking reception
*Agenda is subject to change
Schedule:
Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Time. The meeting will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The meeting will be followed by a hosted networking reception.
Location:
Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown
200 S. Pattee St.
Missoula, MT 59802
Room rate: $219
Contact Holiday Inn Reservations at 406-721-8550 and ask for the NWPPA discount to receive the group rate. Ask for the NWPPA discount to receive the group rate.
Alaska Airlines Discount Code: We are excited to partner with Alaska Airlines to offer a discount on your travel to this event when you book through www.alaskaair.com. Please contact Melissa at melissa@nwppa.org to receive the exclusive code.
Fees:
Utility Member Early Bird (ends 8/1/2026): $190
Utility Member Standard: $290
Associate Member Early Bird (ends 8/1/2026): $285
Associate Member Standard: $385
Non-Member Early Bird (ends 8/1/2026): $380
Non-Member Standard: $480
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 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 registration@nwppa.org or (360) 254-0109.
Continuing Hours:
This meeting qualifies for 6 continuing hours. Certificates are issued upon full completion of the meeting.