What's Ahead with Commission Chairs
State Regulators
The series continues with conversations with Washington Chair Brian Rybarik and Michigan Chair Dan Scripps.
The States
DC PSC: Karimah Bilal
Consumer Outreach Officer
“I ensure that consumers understand the importance of their voice in decisions that affect their utilities. It still surprises me every day how much we’re able to help and how grateful people are once they have the information they need.”
DC PSC: Poorani Ramachandran
OTRA Director
The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia’s annual theme is Purpose, Progress and People as it is guiding new approaches to regulation, community engagement, employee culture, and technology. It is a mission-driven, diverse workforce aimed at modernizing everything energy related in the District.
DC PSC: Kellie Didigu
Strategic Communications Director
“When I started, we were talking about advanced metering infrastructure and piloting smart meters. Now, we’re talking about virtual power plants and microgrids. Watching that transformation and helping communicate it in a way people can grasp has been exciting.”
DC PSC: Paul Martinez
Deputy Executive Director
“A lot of Commissions have a system for docketing and the name we came up with is eDocket. This is an internal system that streamlines and automates all of our case-related tasks. It’s a workflow, with built-in notifications, collaboration tools, and much more.”
DC PSC: Dionne Joemah
General Counsel
“As we pursue the mission of the PSC to ensure safe and reliable utility services at reasonable rates, we take into account the political and legislative considerations, as well as precedent. Our goal is to ensure an order is appellate proof as best we can.”
DC PSC: Ted Trabue
Commissioner
“The city council passed emergency legislation to say whoever the next nominee is with the Commission must have some level of expertise in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and utilities. I told the mayor I’d be willing to serve.”
DC PSC: Emile Thompson
Chair
“What is the purpose? Reliable, affordable, and sustainable. Why are we doing it? We’re doing it for the people in the District of Columbia. To what end? To move the District’s goals forward. That’s progress.”
A Day at the District of Columbia PSC
Unique conversations
Conversations with Chair Emile Thompson, Commissioner Ted Trabue, General Counsel Dionne Joemah, Deputy Executive Director Paul Martinez, Strategic Communications Director Kellie Didigu, OTRA Director Poorani Ramachandran, and Consumer Outreach Officer Karimah Bilal.
Model for Regulators to Address H.R. 1 Impacts
D.C. Commission Order Eyes Interconnections
“H.R. 1 terminated several key energy tax credits for residential and commercial taxpayers. These changes accelerated the construction and utility interconnection timeline requirements for projects seeking to leverage those federal tax credits.”