People In Power

“One of the things that makes this year’s report so unique is a more detailed look at our nature journey. 2023 is the first year where we provided geospatial mapping to look at areas of biodiversity stress.”

“We constantly take on new challenges and opportunities, including achieving a clean electric grid by 2040, new regulatory models like utility thermal energy networks, and building out of the transmission system to meet the state’s goals.”

“The idea is technology and digitalization should be a deflationary force to enable better value and experience at the same time. We used to think to improve service, costs had to increase. But Amazon and Uber showed that dramatically better service can come with lower costs.”

“When you file an annual rate case, you can’t have a direct conversation with regulators because you have an ongoing case. But when you lay out a two, three, or four-year plan, and have stakeholders engage, everyone knows what’s coming and there’s a level of transparency. Now, you are engaging in strategic discussions with regulators.”

“As we’re moving through this clean energy transition, we have to invest in our distribution system and transmission, so we should explore new ways to communicate and collaborate with our Commissions and have conversations about where we’re going because the world is changing faster than it has in the past.”

“With all the growth in the State of Florida, we have to work hard to build our system and our infrastructure in a proven way, so that we are making sure the investments are sensible, economic, and translate into rates that can be affordable over time.”

"We’ve been vocal at the federal level to develop a permanent funding mechanism for a low-income water assistance program, just like in the electric and gas industry. LIHEAP has been around forever and it’s a meaningful program. We don’t have anything similar on the water side."

PUF brings a look at a General Session that was divided into four panels, with the title, “The Tightrope: Utility CEOs’ Balancing Act.” In those four panels, utility CEOs faced Commissioners and a Consumer Advocate to discuss how they balance new resource investments and grid modernization, while ensuring reliability and reasonable rates. The CEOs grappled with tough questions, including how decisions are made concerning how and when to operationalize new initiatives, and whether communication and engagement levels are adequate.

“Even though there are differences of opinions, I try to establish common goals, with both MACRUC and NARUC. I always stress the importance of a Commissioner’s role to ensure reliable and affordable service. Also, I make sure there are opportunities for dialogue and collaboration.”

“The multi-year rate plans meet a number of objectives for us. We can say upfront, ‘Commission and customer, this is how we plan to invest in the infrastructure over three years, over five years. Hold us accountable.’ That creates certainty, transparency.”