The Western Utilities Financial Forum, formerly known as the NW Utilities Financial Forum, is a place for senior accounting and finance leaders from around western North America to gather and share best practices related to working in the energy industry. Our leaders play a pivotal role in the strategic direction and growth of their utilities and this forum provides a unique opportunity to come together in an exclusive peer to peer environment to address challenges and explore best practices in all issues related to accounting and financial management.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Veronica Wittig, Accounting Officer, Bonneville Power Administration
- Program Location
- Hilton Portland Downtown
- 921 SW 6th Ave Portland, OR 97204
- Who Should Attend
- Chief Financial Officers
- Controllers
- Senior leaders in accounting and finance
- Registration Options
Member: $399 USD
Regular: $499 USDRegistration provides access to all Western Utilities Financial Forum agenda items and meeting materials. Registration includes a networking reception on Tuesday evening as well as catered breakfast, lunch, light snacks, and beverages at the meeting.
- 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. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
- For more information contact Amy Nye, Program Manager at (971) 303-2119.
Agenda
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Join us for a WEI hosted networking reception within walking distance from the Hilton. Enjoy a taco bar, drinks, bowling, and more!
Punch Bowl Social
340 SW Morrison Street
3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97204
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Registration + Networking Breakfast
Arrive early to register and network with peers over breakfast.
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome + Industry Address
Facilitator(s): Veronica Wittig, Accounting Officer, Bonneville Power Administration
Speaker(s): John Hairston, Administrator and CEO, Bonneville Power Administration
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Networking Break
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Roundtable Breakout Sessions
This time is designated for attendees to get to know their peers through introductions and roundtable discussion. Come prepared to discuss “top of mind” issues and challenges that you and your team are currently experiencing. There will be three sessions to choose from based on your role at your utility:
- Chief Financial Officers
- Controllers
- Finance + Accounting Managers
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Networking Lunch
A catered lunch will be provided onsite.
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
GASB/FASB Updates
Speaker(s): Jonathan Steinberg, Manager, PwC
This interactive session will give attendees the opportunity to interact with peers and gain deeper insight into current accounting and reporting hot topics in the industry. This session will cover items relevant to companies in the Power & Utilities sector, including the FASBs projects on sustainability linked financing and regulatory credits, investments in tax credit structures and current areas of focus for the SEC, in addition to an overview of upcoming GASB Standards.
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Networking Break
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
CFO Panel
Moderator(s): Jeffrey Miller, Principal | Strategy and Transactions, EY
Panelist(s): Marcus Harris, Acting Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Bonneville Power Administration, Kelly Boyd, CFO / CRO, Chelan County PUD, Brian Buckham, Chief Financial Officer, Idaho Power Company
Hear from a dynamic panel of CFOs on the current challenges and opportunities in finance and the energy industry.
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Multi-Year Rate Plans
Speaker(s): Kyle McNamara, Director, Power & Utility Consulting, KPMG LLP, Ken Wiegand, Director, Infrastructure & Projects Advisory, KPMG LLP
As utilities increasingly look to fund large investments in grid modernization, renewables integration, and responses to catastrophic events, more and more states are looking at adopting forward-looking, multi-year rate plans (MYRP). Regulators see forward-looking MYRP test years as an efficient way to set rates and avoid a continuous stream of rate cases to fund these initiatives, and the investment community sees them favorably as they reduce regulatory lag. Forward-looking ratemaking demands a higher level of forecasting accuracy and better visibility and insights into portfolio and pipeline management. We will discuss key areas to consider as utilities evolve their planning operating models to meet MYRP requirements in this changing regulatory environment.
Hotel + Travel
- Hilton Portland Downtown
- 921 SW 6th Ave
- Portland, Oregon 97204
- Phone: (503) 226-1611
Click here to make your reservation now.
- Reservation Instructions
Please contact the hotel directly at (503) 226-1611 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with Western Energy Institute (WEI) to receive a special rate of $225 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until August 10, 2022 or until the WEI room block is full.
Onsite Safety + Health Info
It is WEI’s policy that anyone attending a WEI-hosted program be vaccinated for COVID-19. This policy does allow for a negative COVID-19 test to be submitted in lieu of vaccination if the attendee is unable to receive the vaccine and if permitted by local host cities or venues. This policy applies to all WEI staff, as well as attendees, guests, speakers, and exhibitors.
Fully vaccinated is defined by the United States or Canadian governments. WEI accepts the following as proof of vaccination: (1) a CDC or Provincial-issued vaccination card, (2) a photo of a CDC or Provincial-issued vaccination card (front and back); (3) a document of vaccination from a licensed healthcare provider; or (4) a digital vaccine record issued by the State or Province in which the attendee resides.
Proof of a negative COVID-19 test means a printed document or image on a phone from a test provider, laboratory, or government agency-approved at-home test method that shows a negative result of a PCR or antigen COVID-19 test within 72 hours before first entry.
Attendees must show a picture or document with vaccine status or a negative test result upon arrival at the program. Attendees without the required proof will be denied entry. No refunds will be given if any attendee is denied entry due to vaccine and/or testing requirements.
Please refer to WEI’s Safety + Health Code of Conduct for other important considerations.