Designed for electric utility executives, participants engage in best practice roundtables to address electric distribution system and substation reliability and safety. Members share benchmarking and performance study results spanning safety, workforce management, infrastructure improvements and overall performance excellence. The small size of this program provides a unique environment for collaborative thinking, open discourse and building long-term relationships.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Dan Koch, Puget Sound Energy
- Program Location
- Hyatt Regency Tamaya
- 1300 Tuyuna Trail
Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico 87004 - Who Should Attend
Participation is restricted to senior leaders of WEI energy member companies. This strategic forum is designed for vice presidents, directors of electric operations and general managers responsible for maintaining system reliability.
- Registration Options
Member: $749 USD
Registration prices increase $100 after March 19, 2019. Registration includes all meals and receptions, and all program materials. Guest tickets are available for $150 and allow a personal guest (a spouse or partner who does not work in the energy industry) to accompany a registered attendee at the event. Guest registration includes all meals and receptions, and all program materials.
- General Cancellation Policy
- Due to contractual obligations, cancellations received 15 business days prior to the program will receive a full refund. Cancellations received 6 to 14 business days prior to the event will receive a refund, less a $100 administrative fee. No shows and last minute cancellations, 5 business days prior to the event or less, will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions from your organization for the same event are always welcome.
- Participation Policy
- Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public.
- For more information contact Beverly Jones Woolf, Program Manager at (503) 688-2790.
Agenda
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Registration
Make some time to greet each other and settle into the Eagle Room before the program begins at 1 pm.
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Welcome and Introductions
1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Successes, Current Challenges, and Opportunities Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Dan Koch, Director, Electric Operations, Puget Sound Energy
What challenges and successes are at the forefront of Operations for your company?
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Survey on Recruitment, Incentives, and Compensation
Speaker(s): David Howell, Operations Director, Avista Corp.
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Small Cell (5G and 4G) Installations
Speaker(s): Rod Price, Electric Chief of Operations & Engineering, Eugene Water & Electric Board
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Welcome Dinner
The hotel will shuttle us to dinner at the Prairie Star restaurant.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast will be served in the Wolf A Room.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Southern California Edison’s PSPS, Public Safety Power Shutoff
Speaker(s): Don Daigler, Director of Business Resiliency, Southern California Edison
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wildfire Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Bill Herriott, Assistant Director, Power Transmission and Distribution, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
Potential topics for discussion include; • California wildfire mitigation plans • How do you quantify and assess the risk? • What do you plan to do differently in the future to address the risk? • How do you identify and prioritize emergency jobs?
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Asset Management Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Bill Herriott, Assistant Director, Power Transmission and Distribution, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Bill Herriott, Assistant Director, Power Transmission and Distribution, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Driving and Transportation Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Lanny Sawchuck, Director, Line Field Operations, BC Hydro
Potential topics for discussion include; • Dealing with employee loss of commercial license (legalized marijuana and testing protocols) • Fleet procurement processes (government regulations), timeline, specifications, technology, safety standards • Telematics and change management issues around implementation
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch will be served on the Tamaya Veranda North.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Safety Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Rod Price, Electric Chief of Operations & Engineering, Eugene Water & Electric Board
Potential topics for discussion include; • How companies treat safety incidents • Partnering with unions • Confidentiality or incentives to report • Vehicle accidents – “no discipline” policy
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Training Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Daniel Rizzo, Director, Transmission and Distribution Operations, Seattle City Light, Daniel Rizzo, Director, Transmission and Distribution Operations, Seattle City Light
Potential topics for discussion include; • Training and resources needed for Smart Grid integration and development • Knowledge transfer • Formal front-line field training programs • Training on changes in procedures and standards
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Deeper Dive into Successes, Current Challenges, and Opportunities
Facilitator(s): Dan Koch, Director, Electric Operations, Puget Sound Energy
Revisit specific challenges and opportunities brought forward on Day 1.
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Brainstorm Topics for Fall Meeting
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Reception
Gather on the Tamaya Veranda for a closing reception. No formal dinner plans are arranged.
Hotel + Travel
- Hyatt Regency Tamaya
- 1300 Tuyuna Trail
- Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico 87004
- Phone: (505) 771-1400
Click here to make your reservation now.
- Reservation Instructions
Please contact the hotel directly at (505) 771-6005 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with Western Energy Institute (WEI) to receive a special rate of $189 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until March 19, 2019 or until the WEI room block is full.