2023 Agenda Details
Day One – December 5
Track A
Fundamentals
Sessions designed as an introduction or refresher.
DAY ONE:
Track B
Beyond the Basics
Technical sessions for those wanting to “go deep.”
DAY ONE:
Track C
Hot Topics & More
Trending topics that range from the complex to the controversial.
DAY ONE:
Track D
Cross-Cutting Issues
A broad range of vital issues across multiple sectors.
DAY ONE:
Day Two – December 6
Track A
Fundamentals
Sessions designed as an introduction or refresher.
Track B
Beyond the Basics
Technical sessions for those wanting to “go deep.”
Track C
Powering Rural Communities
The Biden-Harris Administration is investing in increasing energy security and resilience throughout rural America. Join Rural Utility Service Administrator Andrew Berke and other Rural Development, state agency, private capital thought partners for a series of discussions about the changing rural energy landscape and the state/federal programs available to support this transition.
Track D
Oregon Brownfields
A one-day track that will deliver an exceptional learning and networking environment for those working to make contaminated properties economically viable for reuse.
Keynote Speakers
Janine Benner
Director
Oregon Department of Energy
Janine Benner serves as the Director of the Oregon Department of Energy. Janine joined ODOE in 2017 as Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation and was confirmed by the Oregon Senate as ODOE’s director in February 2018. Janine came to ODOE from the U.S. Department of Energy, where she served as Associate Assistant Secretary in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Janine also spent 12 years working for Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), as Energy and Environmental Policy Advisor, Legislative Director, and Deputy Chief of Staff. She grew up in Portland, OR and has a degree in history from Princeton University.
Anthony Barber
Director, Oregon Operations Office
US EPA Region 10
Anthony Barber has been with the US EPA Region 10 for 26 years. For the first 12, he worked in air quality, site remediation, and hazardous materials emergency response. He worked on many interesting projects, such as helping to lead the cleanup of weaponized anthrax in Washington, DC. For the last 16, he has been the EPA’s Oregon Operations Director in Portland, working across the spectrum of EPA’s mission. During those years he has also filled in for long periods as the Washington Operations Director and the Regional Human Resources Officer. Those additional duties continue, as he is currently filling in as the Deputy Director of the Office of the Regional Administrator. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a professional engineer’s license in environmental engineering, among other education and credentials. His duties include managing the overall EPA relationship with the state, tribes, other federal agencies, and local governments in Oregon. He also serves as EPA Region 10’s executive lead on forestry and long-term disaster recovery issues and as Co-Chair of the Regional Science Steering Council. In 2015 and 2016, he served as the Chair of the multi-agency Oregon Federal Executive Board. Before EPA, he worked at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, served for seven years in the U.S. Navy in nuclear engineering, and is a Persian Gulf War Navy combat veteran. He currently serves as the State Chaplain for the Oregon Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He and his wife also own and operate Shared Harvest Farm near Portland, raising and selling vegetables, poultry, eggs, honey, goats, and pigs.
Keynote Session
Environmental Excellence: ESG, CSR, Sustainability, and More
Hear from three of our region’s leading companies as they share their stories of environmental excellence. Presenters include Lacy Ogan, director Of communications & public affairs, Pacific Seafood; David Harvey, director of environment, health and safety, The Greenbrier Companies; and Jocelyn Bridson, director of environment & community impact, Tillamook. Moderated by Fabio Dworschak, special counsel, Miller Nash.
Meet the Regulators
The Washington State Department of Ecology, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will kick off Business & The Environment with the opening keynote panel on Day 1. Hear the latest information in a lively discussion moderated by Laura Kerr, Stoel Rives LLP.
Moderator
Laura Kerr
Partner
Stoel Rives LLP
Panelist
Kristin Ryan
Deputy Director
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Panelist
Heather Bartlett
Deputy Director
Washington Department of Ecology
Panelist
Leah Feldon
Director
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality