Utility University

Implementing projects that incorporate sustainable components can benefit your utility from a cost-savings perspective, while also enabling your utility to be a responsible environmental steward. Watch this webinar to learn strategies for funding projects strategically and providing investors and funders with more information about the benefits of your improvement projects (e.g., what they accomplish and populations served). This session also shares tools for thinking about and pursuing various types of funding—bonds, tax credits, and grants—to maximize your resources for project implementation.

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Is your utility workforce ready for the future? Are you prepared for the wave of retirements and talent gaps? Watch this webinar to learn about strategic workforce succession planning tailored for public sector utilities. You’ll dive into the nuts and bolts of identifying and developing your future leaders. Expect expert insights, practical examples and a touch of fun as you explore how to kick-start and implement effective succession plans that align with your organizational goals and ensure seamless service delivery. By the end of this session, you’ll have the know-how to keep your leadership pipeline flowing smoothly and your utility running like a well-oiled machine. 

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving, and it can feel like your organization is on the defense keeping up with the latest cyber risks, regulations and emerging trends. As we’re seeing in recent headlines, even the most established organizations are subject to cybersecurity attacks. While sophisticated hacking is a valid threat, it’s rarely the root cause of a data breach. To mitigate risk, you must understand your organization’s unique vulnerabilities, cybersecurity processes and controls.  

Baker Tilly’s cybersecurity specialists have spent that past year collecting and observing key trends shaping the cybersecurity environment. Now is a good time to review your organization’s controls and assess what improvements can be made to protect your information and the value of your organization. Watch this insightful webinar for a full breakdown of what organizations need to know about trending risks and how to mitigate them. 

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AI continues to grow in popularity and importance, driving productivity and collaboration across teams, departments, systems and organizations. AI can propel organizations by extracting data, identifying relationships, detecting anomalies and offering higher levels of automation to enhance your existing workforce. While this technology is providing unparalleled efficiencies, there are steps that must be taken prior to implementing AI to ensure your organization is reaping all the benefits this technology can offer.

Watch this informative webinar to learn about opportunities AI can provide public sector utilities and how your organization can prepare for success. You’ll walk through the process of how to get started on your AI journey by undergoing an AI readiness assessment and developing a governance framework to empower your organization for a future of responsible and effective AI adoption.

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Over the past several years, the United States has allocated funding for infrastructure and clean energy projects at never-before-seen levels. 

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is halfway through its five-year program to infuse $1.2 trillion into improving U.S. infrastructure. Find out how IIJA funding has rolled out compared to what was initially expected. Utilities and other public sector organizations can still apply for some of the funding opportunities so it's important to be aware of the latest guidance and requirements. 

Meanwhile, a significant milestone approaches for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), through which tax-exempt organizations can obtain tax credit funding through direct payments for qualifying clean energy or efficiency projects. Construction for any projects seeking IRA clean energy tax credits must begin before December 31, 2024 to be eligible for the existing investment and production tax credits (before the new “Technology-Neutral” tax credits come into effect). Watch this webinar and dive into tax credit expiration dates, begin construction rules for the IRA, and actions to take now to protect tax credit value.

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Watch this insightful webinar to learn about recently issued Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements no. 100, 101, 102 and 103 and what to consider as you prepare to implement these standards at your utility. 

• GASB statement no. 100, accounting changes and error corrections (effective for periods ending June 30, 2024 and after)
• GASB statement no. 101, compensated absences (effective for periods ending December 31, 2024 and after)
• GASB statement no. 102, certain risk disclosures (effective for periods ending June 30, 2025 and after)
• GASB statement no. 103, financial reporting model improvements (effective for periods ending June 30, 2026 and after) 

The session will also share an overview of current projects on the GASB board’s agenda, giving you insight into potential future changes in reporting for governmental utilities.  

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