Serving the public interest is at the heart of public power, making ethics and integrity essential to effective leadership and governance. As utilities face increasing scrutiny, technological change, cybersecurity risks, and evolving stakeholder expectations, ethical decision-making has never been more important. This closing session will explore real-world ethical challenges facing public power leaders, including transparency, conflicts of interest, artificial intelligence, procurement, data privacy, regulatory compliance, and board governance.

Join a candid discussion with general counsel from public power utilities and joint action agencies as they share the legal, regulatory, and business challenges demanding their attention today. From cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to reliability, environmental compliance, workforce issues, data centers, litigation risks, and evolving federal and state policies, panelists will discuss the issues creating the greatest uncertainty—and the greatest opportunity—for public power.

Seize the final networking opportunity of the conference as you gather with your peers at this informal continental breakfast. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to foster connections that will endure after the conference ends.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to everyday business use, creating new opportunities—and new legal, regulatory, and ethical challenges. From data privacy and cybersecurity to bias, transparency, and accountability, public power utilities must establish clear governance frameworks that enable innovation while managing risk. This session will explore emerging AI regulations, ethical considerations, board and management responsibilities, and practical steps utilities can take to develop policies for the responsible use of AI.

Get an update on the rapidly evolving world of global business and international trade, including how tariffs and regulations have shifted regulatory compliance requirements and procurement procedures. Review a run-down of how various tariff developments and compliance demands over the past year are affecting the global trade landscape and utility procurement overall. Learn guidance for how lawyers and clients can adapt and effectively ensure procedures align with the latest regulations.

Pole attachments continue to be a significant legal, regulatory, and operational issue for public power utilities as demand for broadband deployment, fiber expansion, wireless infrastructure, and grid modernization accelerates. This session will examine current developments in pole attachment law and policy, including attachment agreements, rate methodologies, make-ready requirements, pole replacement costs, access disputes, safety and reliability concerns, and evolving federal and state regulatory initiatives.

Fuel up for another day with a powerful boost of caffeine and meaningful connections at this informal continental breakfast and seize the opportunity to ignite valuable conversations with sponsors and your fellow attendees.