MORRISTOWN, NJ | May 28-29, 2025

NJUA's 2025 Annual Conference Agenda

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025

MODERATED BY TOM BERGERON (BINJE) AND BRIAN THOMPSON (FORMER NBC NEWS)

9:00 – 9:15 am

Welcome/Introduction
Melissa Orsen, SJI & Rich Henning, NJUA
9:15 – 10:00 am

Working Together to Prepare for Summer '25
Hyperfocus in the energy industry on supply and demand as well as affordability (Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President, NJBPU; Stu Bressler, PJM; Brian Lipman, NJ Ratepayer Advocate; Amber Perry, Exelon; Joseph Accardo, PSEG; Abigail Philips, JCP&L)
10:00 – 10:30 am

What is coming down the pipe?

Responding to new State and Federal regulations focused on PFAS, microplastics, Legionella, and disinfectant byproducts requires whole new levels of water purification. What comes next and how do we prepare water customers? (Michael Bange, NJBPU; Mark McDonough, NJ American; Alan Weland, Veolia; Greg Sorenson, Middlesex Water; Dennis Hart, NJ Chemistry Council)
11:00 – 11:30 am

It is Not Your Grandma’s Telephone Company

There is a digital transformation in the works that is driving telecom companies to build partnerships and collaborative networks the likes of which have never before been seen. This creates huge opportunities to build partnerships and collaborative networks to deliver next-gen connectivity solutions. (Valarry Ballard, Director of Broadband, BPU; Peter Saharko, Verizon; Orlando Cruz, Passaic County Commissioner; Ashley Travers, Fiber Broadband Association)
11:30 – Noon

Taking Safety to the Next Level

Achieving great health and safety results takes hard work, but the benefits can be tremendous. Issues such as good governance structures, well-defined “wins” for all involved, and dedicated continuous improvement processes are just a few of the keys to achieving outstanding health and safety success between utilities and their contractor partners. (Vincent Santaite, Montana Construction; Lisa Chowansky, HC Contractors; Natalie Chesko, Aqua New Jersey; Martin Downs, JFC; Kyle England, UTCA)
2:30 – 3:15 pm

New Jersey: America’s Future Hub for AI?

All will agree: Artificial Intelligence is the economic disruptor of a generation. Utilities are the lynchpin. How can New Jersey utilities prepare for and benefit from the AI wave? (Zenon Christodoulou, NJBPU; Eric Miller, Governor’s Office of Clean Energy and the Green Economy; Dan Kennedy, NAIOP; John DaCosta, Google; Ed Gray, PSEG)
3:15 – 3:45 pm

Natural Gas Will Play a Strong Role in Our Energy Future

One fuel source is gaining significant momentum as we seek cleaner, smarter, and more affordable energy solutions. With continued investment in technologies like carbon capture and hydrogen, the natural gas industry is becoming cleaner, faster, and more efficient. (Alana Daly, NGA; Dan Lapato, AGA; Pat Migliaccio, NJNG; Dominick DiRocco, SJI)
4:15 – 4:45 pm

Point/Counterpoint: 2025 Legislative Session

Senator Anthony Bucco; Senator John McKeon

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025

MODERATED BY TOM BERGERON (BINJE) AND BRIAN THOMPSON (FORMER NBC NEWS)

9:00 – 9:15 am

Welcome/Introduction
Melissa Orsen, Chairwoman & Rich Henning, President & CEO
9:15 – 10:00 am

Are We Ready for Another Sandy

Moderated by STEVE ADUBATO, PhD, Anchor, "State of Affairs" on PBS

A hard look at Superstorm Sandy’s effect on our infrastructure and a robust discussion of our capability to meet the next climate disaster. (Chris Christie, Former Governor; Kim Hanemann, PSE&G; Rick Mroz, former BPU President)
10:00 – 10:30 am

Workforce 2.0: New Faces are Crucial for Utility Work

2025 is fast becoming a true inflection point for power and utility companies and their contractors. Workforce attraction and development is crucial for success in this evolving landscape. How should New Jersey Utilities adapt? (Doreene Bennett, NJ American; Stephanie Staub, NJ Consortium of Community Colleges; Mike Makarski, Elec825; Kyle England, UTCA; Robert Shimko, IBEW).
11:00 – 11:30 am

Embracing the New Customer Landscape

The utility industry is entering a new era, defined not just by the infrastructure that keeps cellphones working, the lights on, gas cooking and water running but also by the intelligence, empathy, and transparency that power the customer journey. (Marian Abdou, NJBPU; Georgetta Parisi, Veolia; Marissa Travaline, New Jersey Natural Gas; Jonathan Knauer, Connectder)
11:30 – Noon

Are Utilities in NJ an Attractive Investment

The utilities sector is a vital component of any economy, providing essential services such as telecom, electricity, gas, and water to households and businesses. However, the sector is heavily regulated, with governments imposing strict rules and guidelines to ensure that these services are delivered safely, efficiently, and at a reasonable cost. In recent years, there have been significant federal and state regulatory changes in the utilities sector, which have had a profound impact on the profitability of utility companies? (Heike Doerr, S&P Global; Kevin Simmons, Principal, Utilities and Renewables Leader, Deloitte & Touche LLP; Gary Albertson, Bernhard Capital)