engagement

The GT Power Hour: Episode 29 (The Politics of Energy Generation, w. FERC Cmmsr. Mark Christie)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 29 (The Politics of Energy Generation, w. FERC Cmmsr. Mark Christie)

In which we receive several history lessons from FERC Commissioner Mark Christie on what has caused capacity markets to (so far) fail to live up to their full promise and threatens to tear regional markets apart, as well as what choices states have. From there, we consider the impact to the industry of the shale-gas revolution, get to the bottom of the tension regarding the minimum offer-price rule (MOPR), make a plea for Robert Caro to finish his LBJ biography series and the Steelers to draft Heisman-finalist Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett to replace Roethlisberger, reminisce about the heroes of the golden age of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball and the antiheroes of the current Golden Age of Television, pay tribute to former Virginia SCC Judge Preston Shannon, discuss new year’s resolutions and Glen’s apparent love of coffee, plus much more.

The GT Power Hour: Episode 27 ("Exciting, challenging, but a little scary": How one long night in Harrisburg changed Pennsylvania's electricity future)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 27 ("Exciting, challenging, but a little scary": How one long night in Harrisburg changed Pennsylvania's electricity future)

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!

The GT Power Hour: Episode 26 (How to Engage with Regulatory Commissioners, the Right Way)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 26 (How to Engage with Regulatory Commissioners, the Right Way)

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.