This program will bring together senior leaders responsible for wildfire planning and mitigation strategies at WEI member companies for an interactive peer to peer session. We will focus on sharing and discussing best practices around strategies for planning, operations, technology and various other tactics to mitigate and plan for wildfires.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Brian D'Agostino, Director of Fire Science and Climate Adaptation, SDG&E
- Program Location
- San Diego Gas & Electric
- 8326 Century Park Court
San Diego, California 92123 - Who Should Attend
Directors and senior leaders responsible for their energy companies wildfire planning and mitigation strategies.
- Registration Options
Member: $349 USD
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 Kevin Sullivan, Director of Member Engagement at (971) 255-4973.
Agenda
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Registration
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Welcome to SDG&E
Speaker(s): Caroline Winn, Chief Operating Officer, San Diego Gas & Electric Company
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Group Introductions
Attendees are encouraged to share their name, company and role within the organization as well as brief comments on their utilities focus and maturity level towards wildfire mitigation plans and strategy.
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Networking Break
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
The New Normal for the Region
Speaker(s): Brian Chen, Principal Manager - Grid Resiliency & Public Safety, Southern California Edison, Brian D'Agostino, Director, Fire Science and Climate Adaptation, San Diego Gas & Electric Company
SCE and SDG&E begin by setting the stage regarding the recent wildfire activity in California. Their state of the union will address the complexities and challenges faced and will overview all of the activity in the state. They then open it up to hear the new normal from other states and provinces in the room.
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Mitigating Disruptive Risk
Speaker(s): Arun Mani, Principal, Power & Utilities Advisory, KPMG LLP
A presentation and discussion on the impact wildfires pose to utilities and the utilities’ response to disruptive risk. Arun then discusses some of the landscapes in the west and does a facilitated comparison of wildfire resilience plans filed by the various utilities in California. We will discuss the key takeaways, similarities and differences in strategy, and how the plans are put together.
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Wrap Up Day One
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hosted Dinner
We will commute back to the hotel and enjoy a hosted dinner nearby.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast at SDG&E
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Demonstration + Application of SDG&E Technology
Brian shows and discusses how SDG&E uses their systems and technologies to make strategic decisions.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Operational Roundtable
Facilitator(s): JD Podlesnik, Director - Utility Programs, Design, & Construction, Portland General Electric
Specific to wildfire, the group will take a deep dive in to sharing best practices on all topics related to operations. Potential topics include technology application, vegetation management practices, system hardening strategy, etc. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for this interactive session.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Lunch
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Policy Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Joy Mastache, Senior Attorney, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Specific to wildfire, the group continues their roundtable conversations now focused on policy and regulatory topics. We will discuss everything from regulatory activity and proposed decisions and legislation to impact on rates, insurance, etc. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for this interactive session.
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Wrap Up and Planning for Future
2:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Adjourn
Hotel + Travel
- The US Grant Hotel
- 326 Broadway
- San Diego, CA 92101
- Reservation Instructions
Please contact the hotel directly at (866) 837-4270 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with the Western Energy Institute (WEI) Wildfire Planning + Mitigation group to receive a special rate of $245 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until May 17, 2019 or until the WEI room block is full.