In which we mark the end of Season 2 in our now annual tradition of debating the major industry trends of the past year. Listen closely as we explain how a Trump-era addition to the Federal Power Act is having unintended consequences, why 2021 may end up being the high-water mark for RTO/ISO participation and what happens to Pennsylvania’s currently most-famous Bens: Simmons and Roethlisberger. Happy holidays and see you next year!
In which we reminisce with current PA Public Utility Commission Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille and two former chairs -- John Quain and Jim Cawley -- about Pennsylvania's Electric Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1996, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next month. Aside from the benefits of the act, which ushered in customer choice and competition amongst generation suppliers while deconstructing vertically-integrated utility monopolies, we also dig into downsides of its legacy, including default service and utility-consolidated billing that continue to provide an ongoing advantage to incumbent suppliers, and the debates on both sides. Relive from the people who were there all the trepidation and intrigue of the those heady days and one very long night in Harrisburg in the late-fall of 1996!
In which we discuss state and federal energy regulation with Paul Kjellander, president of both the Idaho PUC and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Beyond cooperative federalism and the interface between FERC and state commissions, we dive into the problems with joining CAISO, what the future of the power grid will look like, generator-interconnection advice, the national political pastime of bashing the federal government, NARUC’s upcoming annual meeting in Louisville, Rory’s resemblance to folk-grass musician Tyler Childers, arcana of ancient Roman calendars, predictions for the winner NARUC-president Jeopardy, how energy professionals can best engage with utility commissioners and why Idaho is called the Gem State and the marketing ploy behind Boise State University’s blue football field.
