Hot Topic Hotline

FRI’s Hot Topic Hotline webinar series addresses a variety of timely topics identified by members of the FRI Advisory Board. HTH webinars provide a forum for industry, regulatory and consumer perspectives and interaction around the issues addressed.

 

FRI-MIZZOU YouTube channel

Check out our previous Hot Topic Hotline webinars on the FRI-MIZZOU YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe for updates on future postings.

 

  • “Affordable Utilities: What does it mean and what does it look like?,” April 10, 2026
    Moderator: Commissioner Staci Rubin, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
    Panelists: Jenifer Bosco, Managing Director of Energy Advocacy, National Consumer Law Center; Peter Cappers, Staff Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab; Kristine Telford, VP – State Engagement, Edison Electric Institute; Chuck Rea, VP – Regulated Pricing & Affordability, American Water
  • “Monetary Policy, Interest Rates, and Utility Capital Financing,” October 16, 2025
    Moderator: Dr. Michael Sykuta, Executive Director of FRI
    Panelists: Dr. Mark Jensen, VP and Sr. Economics, Federal Research Bank of Atlanta; Nicholas Campanella, Sr. Equity Research Analyst, Barclay’s; Richard “Ricky” Traub, VP and Fixed Income Analyst, Nippon Life Global Investors, Americas
  • “FERC 1920: Opportunities and Challenges,” August 15, 2024
    Moderator: Chair Kim David, Oklahoma Corporation Commission
    Panelists: Karin Hrazfeld, Senior Transmission Counsel to FERC Chair WIllie Phillips; Commissioner Andrew French, Kansas Corporation Commission; Purvi Patel, Senior VP of Strategy and Regulatory, ITC Holdings; David Springe, Executive Director, NASUCA
  • “Dealing with Lead & Copper Service Line Replacements,” April 22, 2024
    Moderator: Karen Stachowski, TN Attorney General Office, Consumer Advocate Division
    Panelists: Commissioner Michael Bange, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities; Chris Crockett, Essential Utilities, Inc.; Matthew Prine, Indiana American Water
  • “Harmonizing Electricity & Natural Gas Systems,” December 13, 2023
    Moderator: Joseph Accardo, Jr., PSEG
    Panelists: Commissioner Pat O’Connell, New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission; Kristin Munsch, ComEd/Exelon; Darryl Lawrence, Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate; Matthew Agen, American Gas Association
  • “Resource Adequacy Planning & Resilience,” October 5, 2023
    Moderator: C. Patrick Woods, ITC Great Plains
    Panelists: Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, North Dakota PSC; Marie Berninger, ConEdison Transmission; Mile Keogh, National Association of Clean Air Agencies; Matthew Rice, CenterPoint Energy
  • “Monetary Policy, Inflation, and Interest Rates: 2023 Update,” July 31, 2023
    Moderator: Dr. Michael Sykuta
    Panelists: Dr. Karlye Dilts Stedman, Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank; Commissioner Kim Drexler, Delaware PSC; Steve Kihm, Wisconsin CUB; Darrin Ives, Evergy
  • “Water and Wastewater System Acquisitions: Issues and Challenges for Protecting and Enhancing Service Without Getting Soaked,” June 22, 2023
    Moderator: Dr. Michael Sykuta
    Panelists: David Veleta, Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission; Christine Maloni Hoover, PA Office of Consumer Advocate; Gary Prettyman, Veolia North America
  • “Inflation, Monetary Policy, and Interest Rates,” December 1, 2022
    Moderator: Dr. Michael Sykuta
    Panelists: Dr. William Emmons, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; Dr. Talina Mathews, Big Rivers Electric Corp.; Ted Thomas, Energize Strategies; David Springe, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
  • “Decarbonizing the Natural Gas System,” July 14, 2022
    Moderator: Dr. Michael Sykuta
    Panelists: Daniel Lapato, American Gas Association; Paul Kjellander, KJELL, LLC; Chris Barbacz, Mississippi PUC; Mark LeBel, Regulatory Assistance Project; Chris Peterson, HeschBlackwell
  • “Prudent and Efficient: A Discussion of Optimal Transmission Planning and Development for 2022 and Beyond” – A 2-Part Series