A Discussion on the Tolerability of Critical Infrastructure Risks

Professor Paul Slovic 
University of Oregon

Dr. Desmond Hartford
BC Hydro

Honorable Kathleen M. Banke 
California Court of Appeals, First Appellate District, Division One

Mr. Patrick Regan 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
Principal Engineer, Risk-Informed Decision-Making

Critical infrastructure systems (dams, levees, water supply systems, gas transmission systems, nuclear and non-nuclear power facilities, etc.) provide significant societal benefits that must be traded off with the costs (social, economic and environment) and the residual risk of potential system failures and even catastrophes (San Bruno Gas Pipeline Explosion, Levee Failures during Hurricane Katrina, etc.). The symposium speakers will discuss the range of issues (technical, regulatory, legal and societal) that are necessarily a part of the dialogue to address the tolerability and management of critical infrastructure risks. Following the formal presentations, there will be an open discussion and the speakers will answer questions from the audience.