Standing Up to Wildfire

Practical Tech and Tactics for Utilities

A Grid Forward Symposium
June 4, 2025

Gathering the Electric Grid Ecosystem to Advance Wildfire Mitigation and Resiliency

Utilities play a central role in mitigating the risks and impacts of wildfires, working alongside regulators, policymakers, technology providers, and other organizations. Join the Grid Forward community to explore the evolving tools, strategies, and policies making a tangible difference for power providers and the communities they serve.

Symposium: Standing Up to Wildfire
June 4, 2025
9AM – 5PM
Amaterra Winery
Portland, OR

Our nation is facing enormous challenges to the reliability and affordability of the electrical grid due to the impacts of wildfire. The risk of wildfires to the grid impacts a utility’s ability to deploy capital that improves its system, to maintain insurance, to understand risk and liability and more. This all creates added pressures on affordability and reliability that directly impact customers. The Standing Up to Wildfire Symposium will bring together the many stakeholders needed to advance solutions for reducing wildfire risks and costs to our utilities and communities.

Commissioner Ann Rendahl
Washington Utilities and Trade Commission

A 360° View of Grid-Focused Wildfire Strategy

Protecting the grid from wildfire risk involves a dedicated set of experts across many organizations: utilities working closely with local, state and federal offices as well as innovative tech solution providers. This event will give all attendees insight into how to work together to make grid infrastucture and communities safer and more resilient.

  • Regulatory structures and policy strategies
  • Modeling, mapping and next-gen visualization
  • Situational awareness and real-time monitoring
  • Vegetation management with enhanced maintenance and inspection
  • Automated controls and grid architecture
  • Data sharing and interoperability
  • First responder engagement and community empowerment
  • Real-world examples of grid hardening and resiliency solutions in the field

Meet Some of our Confirmed Speakers

Eric Blank

Chairman, Colorado Public Utilities Commission

Bryan Hannegan

President and CEO, Holy Cross Energy

Caroline Thomas Jacobs

Director, Office of Energy Infrastucture Safety, California Office of Energy Infrastucture and Safety

Robert S. Kenney

President, Xcel Energy’s Colorado Operating Company

Randy Lyle

Founder and Principal, Wildfire Mitigation Strategies

Riaz Mohammed

Wildfire Regulatory Policy Specialist, Xcel Energy

Ann Renhdahl

Commissioner, Washington Utilites and Transportation Commission

Bob Rowe

Retired CEO, NorthWestern Energy; Venture Partner, The Westly Group; Executive Advisor, Technosylva

The Key Players Working Together

This symposium addresses the critical needs and responsibilities of keeping the power on safely in today’s wildfire reality. It will be a unique opportunity for the whole energy ecosystem to build knowledge and connections.

  • State regulators – NARUC attendees encouraged
  • Utility teams working on wildfire planning, mitigation, management, communications and follow-up
  • Policy makers working to help utilities adapt quickly
  • Technology solution providers
  • Community first responders and organizer

Adjacent to NARUC and Annual Meeting

Grid Forward is holding this symposium immediately following the western NARUC meeting and Grid Forward Annual Members Meeting. This makes it even more valuable for you and your peers to come to Portland.

  • NARUC Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners – June 1-4, Portland Hilton
  • Grid Forward Annual Members Meeting – June 3, 4PM – 7PM, Portland

Our Initial Wildfire Symposium Supporters

Come Join Our Community at Amaterra

The Standing Up to Wildfire Symposium will take place at the Amaterra Winery in the west hills of Portland, just a 10-minute drive from downtown. This spacious facility provides inspiring views, comfortable meeting spaces and an ideal setting for collaboration on advancing wildfire issues.

If your organization would like to sponsor this symposium, please download the prospectus and get in touch with Grid Forward now.