Innovation at the Food-Energy-Water Nexus

Join us Tuesday, May 16, for an interdisciplinary workshop, Innovation at the Food-Energy-Water Nexus, drawing from engineering, legal, scientific, and policy spheres to offer a unique perspective on the food-energy-water nexus. The workshop format and accompanying discussions will (1) provoke conversations about overcoming barriers to the implementation of innovative water solutions, (2) stimulate ideas for focused academic research in the nexus, and (3) drive the development of organizational policy and technology roadmaps. The event incorporates sessions on energy use, recovery, and minimization at water and wastewater utilities; on groundwater; on agricultural sustainability and food waste; and on ethical considerations for stakeholders, a topic often absent from similar events. A working lunch and roundtable discussion as well as breakout sessions will invite and encourage broad-based attendee participation. Attendees will also have numerous opportunities to network with experts, researchers, and students. This event is sponsored by a grant from the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Water Equipment and Policy.

An e-mail documenting attendance will be sent to participants who sign in at the registration desk and determine that the workshop satisfies the requirements of Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter A-E 13 (“Continuing Education for Professional Engineers”). Per the Wisconsin Department of Professional Services, the Professional Engineer Section does not pre-approve any courses, activities, or providers for continuing education. It is up to each licensee to become familiar with the rules and statutory requirements and to determine for himself or herself whether or not a particular course or activity meets those requirements. Please note there is no Wisconsin Legal Education (CLE) credit for this program.

May 16, Tentative Agenda and Confirmed Participants

Registration: 8:00 AM
Welcome(s)

• Dr. Jeanne Hossenlopp, Vice President for Research and Innovation and Professor of Chemistry, Marquette University

Session 1: Energy Use, Recovery, and Minimization at Water and Wastewater Utilities

• Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

Session 2: Groundwater's Role in the Nexus

• Dr. Jerad Bales, Executive Director, Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science

Morning Break
Morning Panel Discussion

• Dr. Glen Daigger, Professor, University of Michigan Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Pinakin Desai, Managing Engineer – Energy Conservation, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
• Russ Rasmussen, NR Manager, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Matt Magruder, Environmental Research Manager, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (moderator)

Working Lunch/Breakout Discussions
Session 3: Linking Agriculture and Water

• Dr. Timothy Griffin, Director, Agriculture Food and Environment Program, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University

Session 4: Integrated Ecology and Water Ethics

• Dr. Jame Schaefer, Theology Department, Marquette University

Afternoon Break
Afternoon Panel Discussion

• Sarah Geers, Staff Attorney, Midwest Environmental Advocates
• Michael Keleman, Manager, Environmental Engineering, R&D/Engineering, InSinkErator
• Dr. Paul Block, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Chrissy Wabiszewski, Marquette University Law School student (moderator)

Breakout discussions
Breakout summary and concluding remarks

• Professor David Strifling, Director, Water Law and Policy Initiative, Marquette University Law School

Event ends (3:45 PM)

Registration

There is no cost to attend for persons affiliated with organizational members of the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Water Equipment and Policy, including Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. For all other persons, the registration fee is $50.