Regulation & Policy

The goal of achieving a carbon-free power sector by utility companies by varied dates is coming fast. Renewed interest in energy is resulting in new legislation at the federal and state levels. How will the industry respond and what are the implications? This panel took on that changing regulatory landscape.

“We have the opportunity to invest in our communities and transform our infrastructure and energy system to meet the demands of the twenty-first century.”

“We like to talk at NERC about the internet of threats, because it feels like every one of these devices creates an access point and a vulnerability in a world of increasing cyber warfare.”

“One of the successes of our Board is we’ve gotten to the point where government regularly consults us with respect to proposed legislative or regulatory changes because they want before they introduce it to know what we think problems might be.”

This panel examined regulatory innovation practices from several states and lessons learned.

Jurisdiction and State Clean Energy Goals: This panel explored jurisdictional issues.

“As we transition to more renewables, we have to recognize the need for dispatchable resources to maintain reliability. If those are largely gas, then we need more pipelines.”

“The state’s greenhouse gas policies are going to be coming more into effect soon in terms of their impact to the gas grid.”

“The Transportation Division enforces the regulations of the PSC pertaining to the safety, rates, and service of passenger-for-hire transportation companies, operating in intrastate commerce.”

“We’ve recently allowed multi-year rate plans. Now we’re also focusing on the forecasting methods the utilities use because forecasting’s become a major component of the multi-year rate plan.”