Frontlines

Why Innovation?

Also, What, Who, Where, When?

Why is innovation all the rage? Yes, continual improvement always makes sense. But the dramatic changes being talked about, are they that urgent? Let's recognize how much customers vary in their electricity wants and needs, within service territories, between territories, and between states.

Byline:

Steve Mitnick

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To 2016's Authors, Interviewees Who Impacted the Debate

PUF 2016 Index of Articles, Interviews and Columns

From Paul Afonso to Audrey Zibelman, In 2016, 190 chief execs, commissioners and experts debated competition, cyber, climate change and more in PUF.

Byline:

By Steve Mitnick

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In Only the Second Period of Low Real Rates and Bills

How Should We Manage and Regulate Now?

Electric bills this March were just a tick off the pace of the all-time low. In this unique period, how should we regulate utilities? Should we correct course? Should we allow greater growth of non-fuel costs to – let’s say – buy some more reliability?

Byline:

Steve Mitnick

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Hiding Electricity's Complexity

Should We Lift the Curtain?

Almost nobody realizes the most advanced technology helps us manage grids, operate plants, integrate renewables, route flows, limit peak demand, and restore service after storms. Should we lift the curtain covering the network’s complexity?

Byline:

Steve Mitnick

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The Way We Live, and Renewables

When and Where DG Penetration is Miniscule, What Then?

As fast-growing as it is, rooftop solar will remain a rarity among large proportions of the American public. Which presents a real problem to utilities and utility regulators. Perhaps this is why utility-scale has such appeal.

Byline:

Steve Mitnick

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Top 20, and Why Financial Strength Matters

The Return for Customers of the Return for Shareholders

The Top 20 ranking is limited to investor-owned electric utilities and combination electric and gas utilities with 2015 revenues of at least $1 billion.

Byline:

Steve Mitnick

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Legacy and Generations

We’ll Soon Hand You the Baton

The pasts and futures of automobiles and electricity are remarkably similar. They first inspired a generation. That generation’s grandchildren associate these venerable industries with environmental despoilment and technological obsolescence.

Byline:

Steve Mitnick

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