Improving Water Infrastructure

       
        October 22, 8:00 am

Join local, national and international water leaders! The public sector in the US is increasingly turning towards PPPs as a tool to deliver much needed infrastructure projects. With the passage of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), the time is ripe to explore the current needs and how to boost the US capacity for P3s in this sector. This conference will bring together the public and private sectors for a conversation on: The policy actions required to strengthen the legislative and regulatory frameworks The role of new technologies The design features of "bankable projects"  What can we share? Spain ranks 3rd in the world in desalination capacity and 1st in Europe in reclaimed water. Spanish companies such as Abengoa Water, Acciona Water, FCC Aqualia, and Ferrovial Cintra have applied their expertise in international projects, and will contribute their insights.

AGENDA

8:00 a.m.                   Participant Registration

8:30 - 8:45 a.m.        Welcome Remarks

                                    Maria Jesus Fernandez, Trade Commissioner of Spain
                                    Jose Moran, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

 8:45 - 9:15 a.m.       Opening Address: Innovative Approaches to Respond to Growing Water Challenges  

                                   - Wayne Klozt, President, Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors, City of Houston
                                   - Mark Ellison, Manager of Strategic Water Initiatives, Office of Governor Rick Perry
                                   - Isaac Martin-Barbero, Director General, ICEX Spain Trade and Investment

9:15 - 10:15 a.m.      Panel I:  "The Role of Legislation and Regulation to Facilitate Investment in Water                                               Infrastructure"

Moderator                  Christopher Gasson, Publisher, Global Water Intelligence

Speakers:               - Stephen Goldsmith, former Deputy Mayor, City of New York
                                  - Tim Merriweather, Executive Director, Texas Infrastructure Council 
                                  - Ricardo Bosch, Head of N.A. Business Development, Cintra
                                  - Michael Smith, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.    Coffee Break

10:30 - 11:30 p.m.    Panel II: "New Financing Models: How to Facilitate More Public-Private Partnerships"

Moderator:                 Jose Moran, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

Speakers:               - Carlos Cosin, President, Abengoa Water
                                  - Kevin Patteson, Executive Administrator, Texas Water Development Board
                                  - Naoll Mary, Concessions Director, FCC Aqualia
                                  - Kathy Shandling, Executive Director, IPWA

11:30 -12:30 p.m.     Panel III: "Improving the Quality of Water and Wastewater Services: Learning                                                      from Experience"                   

Moderator                  Ben Grumbles, President, US Water Alliance

Speakers:               - Ed Pawlowski, Mayor of Allentown, PA
                                  - Kelley Neumann, VP Strategic Resources, San Antonio Water System
                                  - Jose Maria Ortega, Development Director, Acciona Water
                                  - David Hackett, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

12:30 - 12:45 p.m.   Transition to Lunch

12:45 - 1:45 p.m.      Business Luncheon

                                    “State of affairs in Texas and how the Act affects Texas” 
                                    Phil Stephenson, Texas State Representative

                                    "The Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act: Helping States meet                                                                         their resources challenges" 
                                    Gregory A. Ballard, Mayor of Indianapolis, Mayors Water Council Co-Chair

1:45 - 2:00 p.m.        Concluding Remarks

                                    Stephen Costello, City of Houston Council Member

 Know our panelists

Greg Ballard Ricardo Bosch Carlos Cosin Stephen Costello Mark Ellison   Maria Jesus Fernandez Christopher Gasson Stephen Goldsmith Ben Grumbles David Hackett Wayne Klotz Isaac Martin-Barbero Naoll Mary Tim Merriweather Jose Moran   Jose Maria Ortega Kevin Patteson Ed Pawlowski Kathy Shandling Michael Smith    Phil Stephenson Kelley Neumann