Best Practices in Eminent Domain and Condemnation
Although eminent domain practice has been fairly predictable for decades, the condemnation cases for pipeline companies have seen the greatest upheaval in recent years as to what to expect. From state right-of-entry cases, to immediate access, opposition groups to pipeline projects are increasingly using the courts in their efforts – no more so than by using political pressure to have governmentally-owned properties decline to negotiate for land rights, In a recent decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal court ruled against PennEast Pipeline as to the condemnation of state-owned property by a privately-owned pipeline. This case was the third in a series of federal court decisions in three (3) of the eleven (11) federal circuits to rule similarly in the past few years, beginning largely with a federal case out of Texas, then-viewed as an outlier due to its odd facts. The Third Circuit was “not insensitive” to the disruption that its opinion would have to nearly 80 years of case law in giving its ruling. As such, pipeline companies need to shift focus on route selection, outreach, land rights acquisition, and legal strategy to focus on publicly-owned properties as high risk on project risk registers.
Best Practices to Increase Customer Growth & Retention in Your Market
In this session you will hear from speakers regarding different programs they are utilizing to grow and retain customers in their areas. The programs will cover growth and retention utilizing various outlets such as: conversions, rebates, contractor incentives, retail relations, appliance purchases, developer relations, and trade ally relations.
Control System Commissioning Best Practices
Roundtable discussion on mechanisms utilized when commissioning control system projects in a high performance, time-constrained, and budget-limited environment. What are effective best practices to ensure a quality project turnover, while satisfying all stakeholders?
Awkward Conversations Regarding Inclusion & Diversity
Lump in your throat. Clammy hands. Pit in your stomach. If you’ve experienced these very real and natural responses when a diversity topic is raised at work, know that you're not alone. Conversations about D&I can be awkward, uncomfortable, or downright scary. After spending time with your session hosts in Beyond the Awkward, you will walk away with tools and strategies that can assist you in becoming comfortable having constructive conversations about D&I. If you're interested in learning to become comfortable with discomfort, this session is for you.
Air Initiatives within the Beltway
Presentation will focus on recent policy initiatives and federal regulatory changes and provide insight on what is on the horizon from "The Hill" with respect to the natural gas industry.
Training & Operational Adaptations for the COVID Era and Future Applications
A panel discussion on how companies confronted and handled the challenges of COVID-19 as it impacted Training and Operational functions. Three companies will provide their experiences, best practices and innovative changes over the past 5-months
5 Myths of Customer Experience Debunked
You've heard it before, “What’s the difference between customer service and customer experience?” To improve the customer experience, all you need is technology. The increased focus on customer experience has given way to best practices but also a few myths and misconceptions. Join this highly interactive session to look at some of these misconceptions and gain more clarity!
Meter Station Control Sizing & Selection
The energy environment is rapidly changing with push to reduce emissions reductions, tighter system controls with a reduction in MAOP excursions. These changes in policy are driven efforts to improve meter station control and sizing practices of regulators and control valves. This roundtable will explore all of the issues surrounding the installation and design best practices for regulators and control valves within meter stations and regulator stations.
Taking a Stand: How Companies Have Been Thrust Into Current Events
Join James Shackelford, accredited in public relations and president and CEO of SomaComm, an integrated digital communications and public relations agency, to learn how to take a stand on social issues. James has extensive experience in reputation management, communications and marketing having represented a wide variety of NGOs, corporations, and initiatives throughout the United States and the UK. He has supported brands that include Salesforce, Westinghouse, Microsoft, Be The Match, UNICEF, and Sam’s Club and has earned national media coverage in outlets that include Good Morning America, ABC News, NBC Nightly News, FOX News Channel, People Magazine, The New York Times, and USA Today. A frequent speaker on the topics of diversity, inclusion, equality, and unconscious bias both inside the profession and broadly across brand communications and marketing campaigns, James served as Chair of the Public Relations Society of America’s National Diversity and Inclusion Committee in 2018. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Irving Schools Foundation and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and is the President of PRSA Dallas (the Public Relations Society of America.) He is a member of the Dallas Arboretum Corporate Advisory Board and the National Press Club of Washington. Specialties: corporate development, strategy, corporate communications, reputation and crisis management, product marketing, public affairs, digital and social content marketing.
Proactive Communications Through Advanced Technology
Information is power and your customers love to get notified to feel empowered. Systems are available to you to facilitate proactive communication between your company and customers. We will explore how Southern Company Gas and Atmos Energy harness this capability to meet and exceed current and future customer expectations.
Alarm Management Criteria in the ICS Environment (Roundtable)
The session will be a roundtable discussion. On every topic the facilitator will present basic information and ask open questions so that all participants are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the audience.
API RP 1173: How Far Along Are We?
For pipeline operators, pipeline safety is essential and a commitment to safety implementation is vital. API RP 1173 (Pipeline Safety Management Systems) provides a guiding structure to manage activities with safety in mind while understanding how activities connect. Let's talk about what this means for pipeline operators and hear from those that are developing a safety management system based on API RP 1173.
Gas Forecasting Roundtable on COVID-19 Impacts
Gas Forecasters were tasked with determining the impact of COVID-19 on their market demand. This workshop will detail how some member companies approached the problem and what they found.
COVID-19 Lessons Learned: Current & Future Perspectives
For all-natural gas distribution and transmission companies Operator Qualification is paramount to conduct business safely on a daily basis. The basis for that qualification is a quality training, controlled hands-on instruction, coupled with on-the-job training and coaching in the field. This presentation discusses the importance of safely providing quality training and continued instruction in the new COVID -19 environment.
Creative Payment Solutions in Unique Times
Providing payment options with automation, flexibility, and easier ways to pay during the new normal.
Formal ICS Structure: Integrating ICS Into Your Existing Emergency Response
Forecasting the Unknown? - Curtailments (Operation System Impacts & Types of Controls)
Craig Smith will present the concepts behind system transient modeling using weather forecasts to predict hourly flows using linear regressions. The transient modeling will attempt to quantify the system’s ability to handle interruptible power plants’ gas flows. In addition, transient modeling will look at the operational impacts of storage fields that cannot supply their prescribed deliverability.
First Responder Expectations
A Fireside Chat: A digital Series for Small Businesses- Providing COVID-19 Strategies and Beyond
In the midst of the current climate, supply chains have been disrupted, resources are limited and it’s important for businesses to be resilient. This fireside chat will uncover strategies for diverse small businesses to adapt to the current landscape with experts, leaders and small business leaders and owners.
Establishing a Mobile Workforce
The natural gas industry is turning to mobile GIS to improve field operations. This session will showcase different avenues companies are taking to bring GIS to the field including discussion on hardware and software options, sample workflows, and how to measure success.