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Johns Hopkins SAIS to host “Lights Out: The Risks of Climate and Natural Disaster Related Disruption to the Electrical Grid,” on Thursday, April 27, 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY
 
“Lights Out: The Risks of Climate and Natural Disaster Related Disruption to the Electrical Grid,” will be hosted by the Energy, Resources and Environment (ERE) Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) on Thursday, April 27, 2017.
 
Natural disasters pose grave threats to the nation’s electrical grids and the ability to deliver reliable electricity to communities. Climate change, expanding populations, and insufficient diversification of sources make the energy future more unpredictable.
 
The Energy, Resources and Environment (ERE)-Swiss Re Practicum Team at Johns Hopkins SAIS will present their preliminary research findings on how the risk is evolving in the Pacific Northwest, including implications for reliability of the system and potential economic disruption.
 
Following the findings from the student practicum team, an expert panel will discuss the steps that various stakeholders in government and the utility and insurance industries are taking to understand the risks and respond to exposures.
 
AGENDA
 
5:00 – 5:15 p.m.
Opening Remarks
Celeste Connors
Associate Practitioner in Residence in the Energy, Resources and Environment Program, Johns Hopkins
 
5:15 – 5:35 p.m.
Presentation
 
2016-2017 ERE-Swiss Re Practicum Team:
Annabella Korbatov
Julia Price-Madison
Yihui Wang
Yi Xu
 
5:35 – 5:40 p.m.
Break
 
5:40 – 6:10 p.m.
Panel Discussion
 
Speakers
David Comis
Energy Program Manager, Maryland Energy Administration
 
Katie Jereza
Director of Infrastructure Resilience, Edison Electric Institute
 
Alex Kaplan
Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, Swiss Re
 
Craig Zamuda, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Energy Policy and System Analysis, U.S. Department of Energy
 
Moderator
Celeste Connors
Associate Practitioner in Residence in the Energy, Resources and Environment Program, Johns Hopkins SAIS
 
6:10 – 6:30 p.m.
Team and Panel Q&A
 
Time and Date
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
A reception will follow the conclusion of the event.
 
Location
Johns Hopkins SAIS
Room 500
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
 
Register
The event is open to the public and media, with registration. A limited number of cameras will be pre-authorized to record the event. Members of the working press can send requests to cover the event to [email protected]. Pre-approved camera setup will only be permitted from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
 
Media Contact
Stacy A. Anderson
Communications Manager
Johns Hopkins SAIS 
202.663.5620 office
202.853.7983 mobile
[email protected]
 
About Johns Hopkins SAIS
 A division of Johns Hopkins University, the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is a global institution that offers students an international perspective on today’s critical issues. For nearly 75 years, Johns Hopkins SAIS has produced great leaders, thinkers, and practitioners of international relations. Public leaders and private sector executives alike seek the counsel of the faculty, whose ideas and research inform and shape policy. Johns Hopkins SAIS offers a global perspective across three campus locations: Bologna, Italy; Nanjing, China; and Washington, D.C. The school’s interdisciplinary curriculum is strongly rooted in the study of international economics, international relations, and regional studies, preparing students to address multifaceted challenges in the world today.
 
For more information, visit sais-jhu.edu or @SAISHopkins
 
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Date: 
Monday, April 24, 2017