Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) and other organizations with similar names (e.g., Public Service Commissions, Department of Public Utilities) regulate the nations’ investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities. Their authority has a direct impact on energy delivery to industrial, commercial, and residential customers, and will ultimately shape hundreds of billions of dollars in energy system investment over the next decade. Given the scale of these decisions, it is essential for PUC Commissioners to be well informed about the energy system, the full suite of advanced energy technologies, and the benefits these technologies provide. Commissioners and their staff come from a variety of backgrounds and face a daunting task in keeping up-to-date with the rapidly changing advanced energy industry. To date, the industry has had limited engagement with PUCs, but Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) aims to fill the void with its PUC Engagement Program.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The goal of the PUC Program is straightforward - to help inform Commissions and the organizations around them about advanced energy topics to enable better decision-making. Based on input from our member companies, partners, and a network of former PUC Commissioners, AEE is prioritizing activities across two primary areas.

PUC PORTAL

As a foundation for the entire PUC Program, AEE is gathering information regarding state Commissions and related entities. PUCs do not operate in a vacuum, but rather as an integral part of a network of organizations engaged in energy regulation. These organizations include legislative committees, state agencies, Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs), as well as stakeholder groups that provide input on PUC decisions. AEE is building an online PUC Portal that details the roles, structures, and connections between these organizations as well as the individuals involved in them. We are deep in the development process, and aim to have a public set of information available this summer.

PUC ADVANCED ENERGY FORUMS

The long-term goal of the PUC Program is to ensure that all Commissioners—both new and sitting—understand the full benefits of advanced energy and the perspective of the advanced energy business community. To that end, AEE is hosting a series of regional PUC Advanced Energy Forums for Commissioners and senior staff. The first forum was held on May 23rd in New England and the next forum will be held in the Midwest this fall. The goal of the PUC Advanced Energy Forums is to provide these individuals with credible information about the characteristics and benefits of rapidly evolving advanced energy technologies and the impact of PUC decisions on advanced energy businesses.

Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about this initiative.