Wildfire Webinar Series

April 24, 2025 | 2pm EST | Session 1 – Understanding Wildfire Risk

Wildfires are growing in intensity and frequency across many regions of the United States, posing significant risks to communities, energy systems, and both natural and built environments. This webinar will explore the key drivers behind increasing wildfire threats, regional variations in risk, and the methodologies utilities use to assess and mitigate these dangers.

Attendees will gain insight into how utilities analyze wildfire risks, incorporating historical data, climate projections, and evolving state regulations into their mitigation strategies. The session will also highlight current utility practices and future planning efforts to enhance wildfire resilience.

Moderator: Riaz Mohammed – Wildfire Regulatory Policy Specialist, Xcel Energy
Speaker: Cody O’Neil – VP Operations, Holy Cross Energy

May 1, 2025 | 2pm EST | Session 2 – Assessing Risk and Developing Wildfire Mitigation Plans

As wildfire risks continue to grow, utilities face the challenge of protecting communities while maintaining a reliable power supply. This webinar will explore how utilities translate risk assessments into actionable wildfire mitigation plans, balancing grid reliability with wildfire safety.

Attendees will gain insight into the core components of these plans, the complexities of integrating mitigation measures into overall grid management, and the evolving strategies utilities use to address these challenges. Industry experts will share lessons learned—what’s working, what isn’t—and how collaboration with state and local entities is enhancing wildfire preparedness. The session will also highlight how effective planning is reducing wildfire threats and strengthening grid resilience.

Moderator: Jared Leader – Senior Director of Research & Industry Strategy, SEPA
Speaker: Andrew Dressel – Vice President, Charles River Associates
Speaker: Rahul Dubey – Chief Technology Officer, Rhizome
Speaker: Anne Sherwood – Vice President of Wildfire Mitigation, Xcel Energy

May 8, 2025 | 2pm EST | Session 3 – Technologies that Mitigate, Monitor, and Evaluate Wildfire Risk

As wildfires increase in frequency and intensity, utility companies are adopting innovative technologies to mitigate, track, and address these threats. This webinar will explore the latest tools and advancements helping utilities stay ahead of wildfire risks.

Attendees will learn how utilities use intelligent systems for fault detection, leverage satellite imagery for real-time monitoring, and deploy smart technologies to manage potential fire hazards. We’ll also examine the challenges of implementing these technologies, how utilities assess their effectiveness, and the collaborative efforts driving wildfire resilience.

Gain insights into how these technologies are transforming wildfire risk management and enhancing grid safety.

Speaker: Tony Phipps – Industry Solutions, Hitachi Energy
Speaker: Arvind Satyam – Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, PanoAI

May 15, 2025 | 2pm EST | Session 4 – Regulatory, Financial, and Community Considerations in Wildfire Mitigation

Wildfire risks extend beyond safety concerns—they also present significant financial challenges for utilities and communities. This webinar will explore how wildfire liability impacts utility investment in grid hardening and clean energy initiatives.

Attendees will gain insights into the financial hurdles utilities face, including capital access, insurance challenges, and how regulatory policies influence wildfire risk management. We’ll also address critical questions about the funding of community-wide fire prevention efforts and successful wildfire mitigation programs.

Discover how utilities, regulators, and insurers are collaborating to manage financial risks and improve wildfire preparedness and resilience.

Moderator: Emily Fisher – Chief Strategy Officer, SEPA

May 22, 2025 | 2pm EST | Session 5 – Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS): Lessons Learned from the Field

Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are a critical tool for preventing wildfires, but they also present significant challenges for both utilities and customers. This webinar will dive into the best practices for developing and executing effective PSPS events.

Attendees will learn how utilities determine when and where to shut off power, the key components of a robust PSPS plan, and how technologies like microgrids and localized grid enhancements can help reduce the need for power shutoffs. We will also discuss strategies to minimize customer impact, improve communication before, during, and after power shutoffs, and ensure a smoother customer experience.

Hear directly from utilities and gain real-world insights into managing wildfire risk while keeping communities safe and resilient.

Moderator: Jared Leader – Senior Director of Research & Industry Strategy, SEPA
Speaker: Renata Bakousseva – Microgrid Strategy Implementation, PG&E
Speaker: Kristin McLoughlin – Wildfire Program Manager, PNM/TXNM
Speaker: Kurt Tsue – Director of Community Affairs, Hawaiian Electric
Speaker: Henry Lee – Regional SysOps Director, Hawaiian Electric
Speaker: Raj Roy – Vice President, Southern California Edison