We’re Facing a New Paradigm
Steve Mitnick has authored five books on the economics, history, and people of the utilities industries. While in the consulting practice leadership of McKinsey & Co. and Marsh & McLennan, he advised utility leaders. He led a transmission development company and was a New York Governor’s chief energy advisor. Mitnick was an expert witness appearing before utility regulatory commissions of six states, D.C., FERC, and in Canada, and taught microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics at Georgetown University.
Outside, it’s been a scorcher.
Inside, the mood’s been so sour.
I’ve been taking the temperature.
And our industry is pretty dour.
Many of you have told me, “Sir,
This isn’t what we would prefer.
We liked things as they were.
These changes, cannot we defer?”
But changes shall surely occur.
Indeed, just around the next corner.
In this year’s first quarter,
As the climate became warmer.
For instance, it got even harder
To order
From an importer
A needed transformer.
The backlogs were
Not getting any shorter.
Now that it’s summertime,
We’re facing a new paradigm.
Some say it’s high time.
Others say it’s hardly fine.
If you look hard, you’ll find.
We’re clearly behind.
We’re facing a steep incline.
It’s going to be a tough climb.
A big-time climb,
A timeline in real time.
Though hardly by design.
We’ve no choice but to shine.
To define, design, refine, realign.
It’s my opinion, but not only mine.
The upshot is,
This is our spot.
So, let’s give it a shot.
To give everything we’ve got,
Looking for every kilowatt.
We’ll scour for power.
For every on-peak and per-hour.
Seeing our industry’s rigor,
I could not be any prouder.
My shtick,
I’ll lay it on think,
And make this quick.
As Exec Editor Mitnick,
Not to be impolitic.
This all may seem easy.
But know, it’s no picnic.
So how perfect is it?
We’re at NARUC’s Summer Summit.
I’m excited I must admit.
The regulatory community
Is totally legit.
A truly great outfit.