Award-winning journalist to deliver keynote speech at Hawaii Energy Conference: Maui Now

Author and Wall Street Journal reporter Katherine Brandt will be keynote speaker at the 11th meeting.^th According to an announcement, the Hawaii Energy Conference will be held at the Maui Arts and Culture Center in May.

Brandt will share his research and insights into the California wildfires and the collapse of Pacific Gas & Electric. Sponsored by the Maui Economic Development Commission, the conference will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, case studies, and an exhibit space exploring the theme “Rethinking Resilience” at MACC May 22-23.

Brandt is the author of “.California on fire: The collapse of Pacific Gas and Power and what it means for America’s power grid” Her coverage of PG&E, in close collaboration with two colleagues, was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting and won the Gerald Loeb Award, the highest honor in business journalism. The series won her the 2019 Thomas L. Stokes Award for her energy and environmental writing, as well as a silver Barrett & Steele Award through the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism.

“We believe the people of Hawaii really want to know how the wildfires caused PG&E’s bankruptcy to see if there are any lessons that apply to Hawaii. ” said Doug McLeod, a founding member of the conference’s program committee. .

As the frequency and severity of extreme weather events increases, the panel will discuss cutting-edge solutions to increase resilience in the face of a rapidly changing climate. Distributed energy resources such as solar power combined with batteries are important tools to strengthen energy resilience in this volatile operating environment.

“Prioritizing energy resiliency in our homes, businesses, communities and industry is the key to maintaining reliable and accessible energy supplies while limiting the vulnerability of our systems to increasing natural disasters.” ,” said Jonathan Cohn, founding member of the conference program committee. City of Boulder Chief Sustainability and Resiliency Officer. “Resilient energy systems can also improve health, comfort, affordability, and accessibility.”

Attendees will hear from experts on topics such as whether biofuels can truly support resilience while reducing carbon emissions and how historically marginalized and disadvantaged communities can be prioritized in resilience plans. Masu. The program will also provide updates from Congress and discuss the pros and cons of undergrounding and insulating power lines.

The conference is supported by the Maui County Economic Development Authority and brings together experts and thought leaders to connect and explore the latest advances shaping the energy landscape around the world. The conference is expected to draw participants from Hawaii, the continental United States, Asia-Pacific and beyond to discuss risk management, grid stability, and adaptive solutions that ensure reliable and resilient energy supplies. It is.

For more information, please visit www.hawaienergyconference.com. Registration is open until March 31st and early bird discount rates are available.