Over the last decade, there has been a push to establish OT asset visibility. But what if this focus is leading us the wrong way? What exactly are we trying to accomplish and why?

This session will touch on how OT network visibility is necessary but not on its own sufficient for meaningful risk reduction. The session will also include an interactive “choose your own adventure” style scenario where the audience collectively walks through an electric incident response to illustrate key themes.
 

Explore how public power utilities are responding to a challenging insurance market while strengthening financial resilience. This session highlights rising costs, limited coverage, and increased industry complexity driven by infrastructure growth and electrification. Speakers will share practical strategies to improve risk communication with underwriters, address coverage gaps through contract structuring, and apply effective risk transfer approaches. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to reduce exposure, enhance preparedness, and support stronger long-term financial decision making.

With technological advancement and AMI, utilities have more data to understand customer behavior, develop new rates, and evaluate the effectiveness of those rates in achieving utility goals. Find out how utilities are using rate strategies like time-of-use and residential demand to better support their communities and the utility’s long-term financial stability.

Strong organizational culture requires intentional leadership, employee development, and meaningful engagement. Discover how one public power utility strengthened its workplace culture through leadership coaching, employee leadership academies, real-time feedback, and transparent compensation practices. Gain practical ideas on how investing in culture can improve recruitment and retention while creating a more connected and engaged workforce.

Hear directly from representatives from the rating agencies on how they are analyzing public power and the electric utility industry. Discuss how the suite of economic and regulatory changes over the past year and technological advances expected in the future can affect your utility’s bond ratings.

As tax policy and incentive programs continue to evolve, project economics and compliance expectations are feeling the effects. Review which of the latest developments are most relevant to public power and what policy changes mean for finance leaders, including common execution risks and areas where organizations are focusing on documentation and governance.

According to the Electric Power Research Institute, data centers could consume 9%-17% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030 — more than double current use. Dive into these projections and discuss what the rising electricity demand can mean for affordability across the U.S. Learn what policies and rate structures across public power are helping to protect existing customers and mitigate risk as development presses on.

Labor and employment issues continue to evolve, creating new challenges for public power utilities and HR leaders. This session provides an update on the most pressing hot topics impacting the workplace today—from changing regulations and case law to workforce expectations, negotiations, and compliance considerations. Attendees will gain practical insights and real-world perspectives to help navigate emerging labor trends, manage risk, and support a stable and productive workforce in the public power sector. 

Get a clear, practical overview of the current interest rate environment and what it means for public finances. Gain insight into how and why interest rates change, how Federal Reserve policy influences the market, and what those shifts mean for managing both bond proceeds and general operating cash. Discuss common treasury considerations including liquidity needs, compliance and arbitrage, as well as investment options and best practices for responsibly managing public funds.

AI is quickly becoming a strategic priority for public power utilities, but many efforts stall because organizations focus on how to use certain tools before addressing their data, governance, and organizational readiness. Evaluate the questions leaders need to ask to assess whether their utility is truly prepared to invest in AI. Explore a practical AI readiness framework, evaluate real-world use cases, and discuss how to develop a structured approach to prioritizing initiatives that deliver measurable value.