Cyber and physical security risks have become core business risks – impacting operations, finances, and public trust. In this panel, public power senior leaders share how they are engaging with the E-ISAC to inform enterprise risk decisions, protect sensitive data, and strengthen organizational resilience. Panelists will discuss how security intelligence and industry collaboration are influencing investment priorities, reducing exposure and cost and helping leadership teams move from reactive response to proactive risk management.

Fleet electrification is transforming the energy landscape, and public power utilities are uniquely positioned to lead this change. Hear about new initiatives as it relates to fleet electrification, including buses, trains, and more. And hear how collaboration and a willingness to rethink traditional approaches can lead to success. This session will explore how utilities, municipal leaders, contractors, EV manufacturers, and funding partners can work together to navigate the challenges and opportunities of electrification.

Gas-fired generation remains a cornerstone of reliability for power producers nationwide—but the market is changing fast. Accelerating load growth, evolving emissions requirements, and shifting capacity and energy market signals are reshaping how gas plants are planned, built, and operated. This session offers a focused look at today’s gas generation landscape and its implications for public power utilities. Hear from an EPC contractor’s perspective on key cost drivers, development timelines, and practical considerations for utilities evaluating gas resources in a rapidly transitioning energy environment.

Data centers can be a great engine for economic growth in some areas, but their development can be detrimental in other communities. With a thoughtful and focused approach public power entities can utilize data centers as a catalyst for investments to reduce system constraints and increase resilience. Get an overview of the current state of the data center industry and how to assess if your customer is credible.

Modernizing operational technology is no longer optional—it’s essential for reliability, efficiency, and customer expectations. This session brings together a panel of utility leaders from small, mid-sized, and large public power utilities to discuss the challenges and opportunities of technology modernization. Panelists will share real-world experiences on topics such as integrating new systems, managing cybersecurity risks, optimizing grid operations, and balancing innovation with budget constraints. Attendees will gain practical insights into planning, prioritizing, and implementing modernization strategies that fit their utility’s size and resources.

Get a practical roadmap for planning, deploying, and operating modern reciprocating engine (RICE) plants for public power. This session highlights why fast start engines provide flexible, dispatchable capacity and support peak reliability, black start capability, and microgrids for critical services. Presenters will compare technology and procurement decisions through a municipal lens, share key commissioning lessons and performance metrics, and show how data driven remote support can improve availability and reduce outages.