The FCBA State and Local Practice Committee will sponsor a CLE on Thursday, September 18, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET entitled Earth, Wind, and Fire: Utility Disaster Response and Preparedness. The program will be held virtually via the Zoom platform.
The FCBA will apply for 2.0 hours of MCLE credit from the VA Bar. This program has not yet been approved.
Click here to register.
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If you have any issues, please contact Elina Gross at elina@fcba.org.
AGENDA
As climate change has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, public utility commissions across the country have made disaster preparedness and resiliency a top priority. And on top of their own network resiliency and emergency response preparations, the communications industry – which relies on access to utility infrastructure – has had to coordinate with electric utilities and other stakeholders to ensure that there is ample information sharing before and during significant weather events. Anticipatory power shutoffs by electric utilities have added another dimension to an already complex set of response plans.
Featuring expert panelists from state utility commissions across the country and practitioners from both the communications and electric industries, this CLE will examine the challenges faced in disaster preparedness and recovery and the steps state utility commissions and industry have taken to help keep customers informed and connected in the face of severe weather events.
2:00 – 2:05 p.m. Welcome and Introductions
2:05 – 3:00 p.m. Addressing Resiliency at State Utility Commissions
State commissioners and staff will discuss the particular challenges commonly faced by their state and what their commission requires in terms of disaster preparedness. Topics will include recent real-life case studies, jurisdictional issues, the evolution of state regulations in the area, and the commission’s role as a facilitator for cross-sector communications.
Speakers:
Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner
Commissioner Colin Yost, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
Additional speakers to be announced.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Industry Discussion of Resiliency
This panel will explore current issues relevant to industry as it pertains to disaster preparedness and recovery. Topics will include network hardening, the impact of public safety power shutoff events, electric-communications industry information sharing, consumer communications, and issues faced in getting networks back online during and after a weather event.
Speakers:
Jessica Epley, Vice President of Government Affairs, Ziply Fiber
Tim Lewis, Senior Manager, IT – TSO – Field Communication Services, NextEra Energy
Additional speakers to be announced.