Joint Action Conference

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A New Era of Joint Action

Join your peers to address public power’s biggest policy and management challenges at the Joint Action Conference.

Hear from experts, catch up with colleagues and friends, and share your perspectives on the new and evolving challenges facing joint action agencies and public power utilities.

Who should attend

This premier leadership event is designed for CEOs and senior management of joint action agencies and state associations, their board members and commissioners, and public power utilities.

Select conference sessions may be restricted to only APPA member utilities, joint action agencies, and State Associations. See conference program for details.

Program

2026 Program

Sunday, January 11
5 - 6 pm	Welcome Reception (guests welcome)
Monday, January 12
7:30 - 8:30 am	Registration & Breakfast
8:30 - 9:15 am	Keynote: Supporting a Reliable Energy Sector Get the latest update from the Department of Energy on how it views and supports reliability and resource adequacy across the energy sector. Discuss how executive orders and other actions are affecting generating unit retirements and development and where the administration plans to go from here.
9:15 - 9:30 am	Break
9:30 - 10:30 am	Capacity and Load Growth: A View From the Markets Dive into how the RTO-operated electricity markets are tackling the latest priorities, from changing capacity markets to forecasting large load growth and addressing increasing prices. Discuss how efforts in PJM, MISO, SPP and others might affect your operations or expected costs for transmission and the likely impacts to residential customers. Moderator: Patrick Bowland, CEO & General Manager, Michigan Public Power Agency David Patton, President, Potomac Economics
10:30 - 10:45 am	Break
10:45 - 11:45 am	Innovative Approaches to Managing Costs Explore what you can do to mitigate the high capacity prices on the markets. Learn how other joint action agencies are deploying strategies including building new generation, getting more out of existing gas generation, and implementing water heater controls.
11:45 am - 1 pm	Lunch Keynote: Keeping Up With Changes at the EPA and Beyond Get debriefed on the latest environmental regulation changes and how the latest guidance and rules affect what you’re required to do to meet the challenges related to growing load, resource adequacy, and affordability for your member communities. Michael Nasi, Partner, Environmental & Legislative Practice Group, Jackson Walker
1 - 2 pm	What to Know About Data Center Load Take a top-level look at the future of data centers, from what’s actually being built to what demand is expected in the coming years and factors that could affect data center load. Hear from your colleagues dealing with large data centers and discuss how JAAs and your members can work with these large loads without assuming overwhelming financial risk, negatively affecting credit ratings, or undermining grid security. Moderator: Colin Hansen, CEO & General Manager, KPP Energy Dennis M. Pidherny, Managing Director, Public Finance, Fitch Ratings
2 - 2:15 pm	Break
2:15 - 3:15 pm	Options for Future Gas Generation Explore both the potential across new gas generation technologies and the outlook for established generating assets. Discuss what options you can weigh for affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy that supports your service areas while minimizing risk. Share your successes and challenges on natural gas supply, combined cycle and simple cycle gas plants and review the outlook for these technologies. Moderator: Paul Mahlberg, General Manager, Kansas Municipal Energy Agency Tom Freeman, Energy Executive, Gas Turbine Coach, former GE Chief Combustion Turbine and Customer Interface Officer
3:15 - 3:30 pm	Break
3:30 - 4:30 pm	A New Era (and Model) for Joint Action Utilities are dealing with different challenges, threats, and opportunities in how they serve their communities, and joint action agencies are well-positioned to help members with new services and structures. Review how a panel of JAAs have dealt with changes in the industry and how they connect with members to support them in new ways. Discuss the pros and cons of different aspects of the various JAA models, including the benefits and potential vulnerabilities with full requirements contracts and project-based members. Moderator: Jacob Williams, General Manager & CEO, Florida Municipal Power Agency
5 - 6 pm	Reception
Tuesday, January 13
7:30 - 8:30 am	Breakfast
8:30 - 9:30 am	Transmission Outlook Generating assets aren’t the only thing being built — there are also numerous transmission projects in the works. Take a look at the outlook for these projects both across the country and in each region, including the expected economic impact for JAAs, utilities, and individual customers. Review what will be built and how transmission costs are expected to change. Moderator: Mason Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems
9:30 - 9:45 am	Break
9:45 - 10:45 am	Leveraging Power Prepays Gain insight into power prepays, including what they can encompass, when you should consider them, and what else to know to take full advantage of these opportunities for your members. Moderator: Fred Clark, President/CEO, Energy Southeast Michael Gehring, Director of Portfolio Management, The Energy Authority; Chris Lover, Managing Director, PFM Financial Advisors LLC; and Joseph Natoli, Managing Director, Global Banking & Markets, Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Registration

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Registration Fees

2026 Conference Registration Fees

	Before Dec. 15 Early Registration Deadline	After Dec. 15 Early Registration Deadline
Member	$895	$995
Nonmember	$1,790	$1,890

Not yet a member? Join today and save money on your conference registration. Contact Membership@PublicPower.org to learn more.

Group Discounts

Save money on each registration when your organization registers five or more people. The larger your group, the more you save!

Number of registrants	Discount (per person)
1-4	n/a
5-9	$50
10-14	$100
15-24	$150
25+	$200

Your group discount will be automatically applied when you register a group of 5 or more people. Registrations must be submitted on the same order (at the same time) to qualify for the group discount; discounts cannot be retroactively applied to previous orders.

Registration Help

Check out our Registration FAQs for answers to the most common questions and help with all your registration-related issues.

Cancellation, Refund, and Substitution Policy

Registrants who cancel in writing on or before Monday, January 5, 2026, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after January 5 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for the 2026 Joint Action Conference only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel on or before January 5 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund of their registration fee.

Cancellation requests must be made through your my.publicpower portal, or addressed to: Registration@PublicPower.org.

Code of Conduct

Attendees of American Public Power Association meetings agree to abide by the APPA Code of Conduct. If attendees engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct, the Association may take any action it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings with no warning or refund.

Hotel

The 2026 Joint Action Conference will be held at the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.

Scam Alert

Please do NOT make hotel reservations through any third party that may contact you by phone or email. Use only the online reservation links, phone numbers, and discount codes available directly from APPA —in conference brochures and the website at www.PublicPower.org.

Henderson Beach Resort

Experience the timeless romance of Henderson Beach Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast, where Southern charm meets modern luxury. This is a place to create joyful memories and be welcomed home, again and again. Generations have chosen Henderson Beach Resort as a destination to reconnect, discover, and unwind. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and float away into deep relaxation at our exclusive spa. Savor every moment at our five dining experiences, where unforgettable flavors complement the pristine natural beauty that surrounds you.

Henderson Beach Resort Details
Address	Henderson Beach Resort 200 Henderson Resort Way Destin, FL 32541
Main Telephone	(855) 702-3087
Group Rates	Single/Double: $249/night + state and local taxes (7% sales tax + 6% occupancy tax) Rate includes $20 resort fee
Check-in	4 pm
Check-out	11 am
Parking Fee	Valet Parking: $25 per vehicle, per night Day Parking: $15 per vehicle, per night
Guest Room Internet Access	Complimentary standard wireless internet
Reservation Cut-off Date	December 20, 2025
Reservation Telephone	(855) 741-2777
Group Code	“APPA-Joint Action Conference” or “10E9K9”
Online Reservation Link	Reserve your room.

Hotel Reservations & APPA Cancellation Policy

The cut-off date to receive the APPA group rate (plus tax) is December 20, 2025. If rooms remain in the APPA block after the cut-off date, the APPA group rate will be honored. If not, you may be charged a higher rate. The room block may sell out before December 20, so early reservations are encouraged. For individual reservations, please call (855) 741-2777 and identify the group name, APPA-Joint Action Conference, or make your reservation online here. The hotel should receive all reservations no later than December 20.

Canceled reservations that are not resold may become a financial liability for the Association, so please make your reservations thoughtfully. If you require additional assistance with housing, please contact Meeting Services at Meetings@PublicPower.org.

Questions and Assistance

For questions or assistance making your hotel arrangements, contact Meetings@PublicPower.org.

FAQs

Where and when will the Joint Action Conferences be held in the future?

2027 Joint Action Conference
January 10-12, 2027
Rancho Bernardo Inn
San Diego, California

Can I earn educational credits for attending this conference?

Yes, you can earn the following kinds of educational credits for participating in sessions during the conference:

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)

To receive a certificate for your participation, participants must complete the online conference evaluation after the event.

Are meals included?

The following food functions/meals are included in the registration fee:

Sunday - Reception
Monday - Continental Breakfast
Monday - Lunch
Tuesday - Continental Breakfast

What is the conference dress code?

The attire for the conference is business casual. Meeting room temperatures vary, so prepare to dress for cool conditions.

How can I present at the conference?

We welcome your topic and speaker ideas for future conferences and events. To submit your idea for consideration, complete this form. Conference topics are generally determined 6-8 months before the event is held. Ideas will be kept on file for a full year, so if the agenda for the conference has already been determined, your ideas will be considered for the next year’s event, or in case any space opens up in the current year’s program. You will be contacted only if your idea is selected for an upcoming conference.

What is the APPA Code of Conduct for meeting attendees?

Attendees of American Public Power Association meetings agree to abide by the APPA Code of Conduct. If attendees engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct, the Association may take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings, with no warning or refund.