WCPSC Annual Meeting
Moderator Brad Johnson is Vice Chair of the Montana Public Service Commission. Marybel Batjer is President of the California Public Utilities Commission. Jordan White is VP of Strategic Engagement and Deputy General Counsel for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council. Kristine Raper is a Commissioner at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. Lea Marquez Peterson is Chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission.
The Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners 2021 Online Annual Meeting met June 7 to 8 in cyberspace, grappling with tough subjects as regulation advances in the face of a pandemic, weather events, and the road to decarbonization.
Extreme weather related events have affected utilities and this panel took an in-depth look at what that means. Questions were raised, including whether prevailing resource planning methods adequately consider these weather extremes. Are regulators and utilities prepared to respond to system impacts, such as widespread outages and restoration plans from weather extremes? Listen in to these excerpts.
Moderator and Vice Chair, Montana Public Service Commission, Brad Johnson: This is probably one of the last all virtual events that we're going to experience with NARUC and the regional conferences. We will try and make it one of the best for last as we move ahead with this two-day program.
Topic number one is extreme weather events, wildfires, freezes, and outages. This past summer was challenging with regard to weather related events. California has the dubious honor of having been in the news for some of the most extreme events and reactions to those events. Marybel, talk about the root causes for rotating outages, and what you've done to prepare for a different outcome.