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.

“Dealing with Lead and Copper Service Lines”

April 22, Noon-1:00 pm Central

Replacing lead and copper service lines for water supply is a high priority for human health, but a very expensive proposition for water utilities. Who should pay? How should they pay? What about affordability? What are the real health risks? How should utilities engage with the community? Join us for this Hot Topic Hotline webinar to address the challenges and to hear about programs taking place around the country. This webinar brings together a panel of experts to share their experience and perspectives in dealing with the harmonization challenge.

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

  • “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