CUB’s 7th Annual Policy Conference Explores Utility Regulation 2.0
Posted on June 16, 2017 by Samuel Pastrick
Tags, Conference & Events
Utilities are in a tough spot in 2017. Traditional utility regulation encourages investment in large long-term assets like power plants. But many people, including regulators and customers, believe that the future will be built around energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, and flexibility.
Each October CUB brings together utility/energy stakeholders from around the state and the region to discuss the issues most impacting Oregon’s energy sector. The 2017 Policy Conference, to be held on Friday, October 13, 2017 at the Downtown Portland Hilton, is no exception as we seek to take on the challenge of Utility Regulation 2.0: Empowering What’s Possible.
It is perhaps an understatement to say that the utility business model of today is balancing precariously on a precipice. The question is: Do we give it a quick shove, send it tumbling into the ravine of history, and start over? Do we pull it back from the edge and apply regulatory first aid? Do we leave it alone and see what happens? Can we maintain traditional regulation but get different results, or do we need a change in the regulatory approach?
Bob Jenks, CUB’s Executive Director, will kick off the morning by giving his perspective on these questions. Then, CEOs from utilities that serve Oregon will join Bob for a facilitated conversation, aptly named, A View from the Top. In its third year on the conference agenda, we welcome Stefan Bird from Pacific Power, David Anderson from NW Natural, Elliot Mainzer from BPA, and Darrel Anderson from Idaho Power.
We are pleased to have Energy NewsData’s Clearing Up as our Media sponsor again this year and look forward to having Publisher & Editor-In-Chief, Mark Ohrenschall, join us as a moderator for one of our panels. As in the past, we will offer three breakout sessions that maximize audience participation. Topics may include: energy and environmental justice; micro solutions, distribution level planning, and industrial green access tariffs, among others.
Whatever the actual panels involve, our vision is to ask hard questions, and to create dialogue around relevant issues. So mark your calendars and plan to join us for this important conversation about utility business models, regulation, and what (if anything) needs to change.
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09/05/22 | 0 Comments | CUB’s 7th Annual Policy Conference Explores Utility Regulation 2.0