“We started in 2003 with the simple idea that modern materials – in this case carbon fiber and smart conductor designs – would enable electric utilities to move much more power down their existing rights-of-way and put off the need to add significant new transmission corridors.”

Public Utilities Fortnightly’s Annual State of State Regulation Luncheon was a big hit during the NARUC Winter Policy Summit with thought leaders on energy and utility regulation speaking words of wisdom punctuated by bouts of humor.

“The energy transition looks different in every state. You have to bring everyone to the table in every state, and every location, and understand the timetable and cost associated with it.”

There was much discussion, education, and camaraderie at the NARUC Winter Policy Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C. in late February.

“We must continue to invest in training, resources, and infrastructure to ensure we’re prepared to meet whatever challenge may come our way. Collaboration and communication between regional mutual assistance groups and other stakeholders will be key to our success.”

“We want to have a frank conversation about the importance of money to how we are going to meet this unprecedented load growth for our country, as well as how we’re going to manage the energy transition.”

State regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders convened to address critical issues shaping the future of utility regulation at the NARUC Winter Policy Summit 2025 on February 23-26 in Washington, D.C.

“Here at NARUC, what it says is that there’re a lot of levers in this society that are moving in favor of nuclear energy. It’s the carbon-free nature of it, the data centers now asking for it, and states like Illinois and California that are reopening or changing the moratorium in the case of Illinois on nuclear.”

“We need to go beyond spent fuel. With growing interest in SMRs, microreactors, and nuclear batteries, this change lets NARUC expand considerations regarding nuclear.”

The newly named Subcommittee on Nuclear Energy, formerly the Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues-Waste Disposal, still will discuss nuclear waste, but encompass a broader deliberation on all matters nuclear, as it is deemed one of the solutions to the energy transition. The new name clarifies also the direction the nation is heading concerning nuclear, with the restart of once-shuttered nuclear plants such as Three Mile Island, and the advent of Small Modular Reactors.