Conference Program - American Public Power Association

APPAis offering eight
intensive seminars each
day on Saturday, June 21,
and Sunday, June 22, for
utility policymakers and
executives. Maximize the
value of your National
Conference experience
by also attending these
pre-conference seminars.
2008 Pre-Conference Seminars
Saturday, June 21
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Power Supply 101:
For Those New to Our Industry
Recommended CEUs .7/PDHs 6.5
Power supply and delivery are highly
technical and complex issues. It is
important for public power employees
to have a fundamental understanding
of the components of an
electric system and how they impact
the utility’s budget and enduse
consumers. Attendees will
receive a nontechnical overview of
how the electric system provides reliable
service to customers, from the
basics of generation to transmission
and distribution to customers’
homes and businesses.
Tim Gelvin, Managing Director,
Gelvin & Associates, Inc.,
Leawood, Kan.
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Energy and Climate Policy:
A Primer on the Complex
Issues Involved
Recommended CEUs .7/PDHs 6.5
Energy and climate change are in
the forefront of most media and political
discussions. Policymakers
today are confronted with demands
of guiding their organizations
through conflicting and often opposing
sets of pressures, priorities
and constituencies. The instructor
will speak directly to these needs by
providing a framework to understand
and appreciate more fully the
local and national issues, including a
range of perspectives associated
with often-conflicting points of view.
Wallace Barron, President, Barron
& Associates, Alpharetta, Ga.
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Electric Utility Economics
and the Role of Public Power
Recommended CEUs .7/PDHs 6.5
Local government ownership and
operation of nonprofit businesses
has a long history in the United
States. This course’s speaker explains
the economic rationale for
public businesses and for public
power in particular. Discussions of
basic economic principles and the
economic history and motivations
for public power provide the context
for more detailed exploration of economic
challenges facing public
power today, as well as historical
and conceptual bases for addressing
these challenges.
John Kelly, Director, Economics &
Research, American Public Power
Association, Washington, D.C.
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Understanding the Board’s
Fiduciary Responsibilities
Recommended CEUs .7/PDHs 6.5
Publicly owned utility operations are
transparent and open to public
scrutiny. Recent scandals among
both for-profit and nonprofit organizations
have brought increased
scrutiny to all organizations, thrusting
nonprofit board members further
into the spotlight. Given the growing
interest in nonprofit governance and
activities, it’s a good idea for board
members to reexamine their roles
and responsibilities. Attendees will
examine the fiduciary responsibilities
of board members and identify important
actions that boards can take
to ensure their operations comply
with legal requirements.
Julie Schwingel, Partner, Virchow,
Krause & Company, LLC,
Madison, Wis.