Get a clear overview of recent federal tax credit developments — such as zero‑emission and clean energy incentives — and the practical requirements that come with them, including prevailing wage and apprenticeship rules. Discuss what public power utilities need to know to stay compliant, access available benefits, and avoid common pitfalls with grid modernization projects. Gain a better understanding of how today’s tax policies intersect with infrastructure planning, clean energy investments, and long‑term financial strategy.

How does strong operational discipline lead to exceptional customer experiences? Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations recently earned a Gold Public Power Customer Satisfaction Award, with approval ratings above 95% across key areas like reliability, outage response, communication, and innovation. Using SELCO’s experience as a practical case study, gain insight into the organizational practices and response strategies that drive high satisfaction. Discuss actionable ideas to strengthen outage coordination, improve communication during critical events, and build a culture of accountability and trust.

Get a comparative overview of the small modular reactor and other advanced nuclear technologies in various stages of development and deployment across the globe. Learn about the major types of advanced nuclear technologies, including the advantages and challenges of each design and where they stand in the development pipeline. Discuss how the different technologies can align with your utility’s decarbonization and grid modernization goals and how the evolving regulatory and investment landscape could affect adoption.

Get an update on the latest requirements and process for working with FEMA before, during, and after a disaster. Walk through current rules, documentation and reporting expectations, and best practices for navigating the reimbursement process. Participate in a quick hot wash on lessons from those involved in emergency response in 2025 and gain practical guidance to strengthen preparedness, improve response coordination, and avoid common pitfalls in federal recovery procedures.

There are myriad practical ways to incorporate AI into utility operations, from tools to bolster reliability, improve efficiency, and support customer service. Hear about real-world applications — from demand forecasting and anomaly detection to predictive maintenance, customer service automation, and energy theft detection. Learn what insights utilities have already gained from using AI and advanced analytics for grid modernization, including what precautionary steps and preparation is required before diving in. 

Presentation of National Awards
Recognizing excellence in public power leadership

What’s Ahead for the Global Economy and Energy Markets

Get an update on the evolving regulatory landscape for fusion energy and why and how fusion can be separated from energy technologies relying on nuclear fission. Discuss the key roles fusion centers can play in regional innovation and the opportunities for utilities, municipalities, research institutions, and the industrial sector to engage with fusion commercialization efforts. 

Communicating about rate increases is never easy — especially when complex financial drivers must be explained to elected officials and customers in clear, accessible terms. Share practical strategies for turning technical data into simple, credible narratives that build understanding and trust. Review how other utilities have framed key messages on rates and tailored explanations for governing boards, councils, and customers. Collect tools to make rate conversations more transparent, effective, and less contentious, including how to align communication with financial planning.

Public power utilities are more than providers of reliable electricity — they are catalysts for local economic growth. Explore how public power utilities can leverage infrastructure investments, partnerships, and innovative programs to drive community development, attract businesses, and support workforce readiness. Walk through how utilities can align operational strategies with broader economic goals, ensuring that communities remain competitive and vibrant.

As AI rapidly expands, the policy discussion around its use increasingly overlaps with energy policy, whether in Congress or in regulatory discussions at FERC. Explore how the crossroads of energy and AI affect public power utilities and what trends you need to watch to keep your operations aligned. Learn how load growth considerations, data, and cybersecurity issues are shaping the fast‑moving policy environment and emerging rules.