People In Power

“Much infrastructure growth and research and development are going to require continued government intervention, whether in the form of funding for research or loan guarantees. The picture, in my mind, has been getting a little clearer over the last few years, but I still don’t see a clear path to either 2030 or 2040.”

“The distribution system needs communication and management systems to provide a greater understanding of what’s happening on the distribution grid as large and small customers are installing more distributed energy resources. With this, utilities can better manage peak demands and ensure reliability.”

“Pennsylvania passed legislation allowing for alternative ratemaking, which allows utilities the option to utilize time-of-use, incentive, multi-year, decoupled, and other distribution rate designs. We haven’t had significant applications of these designs yet, but the tools are in the toolbox.”

“I think about the potential for increased reserve margins for utilities due to extreme weather, the impact of economic development decisions, as well as potential load growth from electrification of the motor vehicle fleet. With all that demand coming onto the grid in the near and long term, it gives me concerns. The grid is going to be challenged.”

“Items like transformers are hard to get. That can slow down the change, including the need to address resource adequacy. It also slows down economic development because new loads need transformers too. That’s the immediate need, it’s equipment.”

“I hope we don’t fail to maintain infrastructure; whether it’s distribution, transmission, generation, and adequate reinvestment to keep up these resources. We have to balance the interests as those are important, but we don’t want to over-engage and overspend needlessly.”

“We’re going to need wide-ranging types of support, perhaps looking at creative partnerships among utilities and other stakeholders for assignment of costs to the cost causers and beneficiaries of service, because sometimes those may not be the direct customers of a regulated utility.”

“For me to say capacity shortages, it’s breathtaking. But we are learning every day that as artificial intelligence is being used across the corporate business spectrum, its processing needs are so much greater than anything we’ve seen.”

“Whether explaining to elected officials or the public, we need to describe what encompasses flicking that light switch on the wall, all the components to ensuring energy reliability, and how Arizona is faring."

Ten Commissioners from varied parts of the nation answered these questions: What are the most important needs for electric power infrastructure? What are your greatest concerns about infrastructure? How should utility regulation adjust to these needs and concerns, if at all? How different will electric power infrastructure be in the year 2040?