Laura Briefer is the director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities.  Today she joins Mahesh Lunani of Aquasight to talk about her unique role in the water community as it relates to her appointment, droughts in the West, collaboration, and leadership.

Unlike many of her colleagues, Laura's job is appointed by the Mayor, and she's been in the role through three administrations.  There are unique opportunities that come with that, as well as some challenges.   She also explains her role on the Public Utilities Advisory Committee.

Briefer's department is 150 years old - she talks about the need to replace infrastructure, as well as the balance between using the institutional knowledge in her workforce and adjusting for future needs and challenges.

Climate change is a threat everywhere, but this is especially true in the Western United States, where they are already seeing the effects of drought, wildfire, and more.  Laura talks about some of the unique challenges they face in Salt Lake City, but also how their residents have made a big difference in conservation efforts.  And SLCPU is partnering with the University of Utah to study climate change and what strategies can be employed.

Finally, Mahesh and Laura talk about her strategies and tactics for ESG, guided by a member of her team who has a PhD in environmental equity projects and environmental  justice projects.

More Information:

Laura's Bio: https://www.nacwa.org/about-us/board-of-directors/laura-briefer

Laura's co-written article The lost narrative: Ecosystem service narratives and the missing Wasatch watershed conservation story    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212041615300462

Salt Lake City Public Utilities Website: https://www.slc.gov/utilities/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/