Agenda

During this hands-on workshop, participants will be introduced to NARUC’s Resilience Framework and its value as a resilience planning resource. Then, guided by framework authors and other subject matter experts, participants will work through a process of applying the Framework to their state’s and agency’s needs. This will include facilitated reflection, dialogue, and insight sharing. Participants will leave the workshop having 1) defined the desired goals and objectives for grid resilience initiatives in their jurisdiction and 2) begun applying one or more other Framework components towards achieving those goals and objectives. Breakfast provided! Registration is free, but advance registration is required. View agenda.

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In person meeting for the staff subcommittee on consumers and the public interest. Come to meet up with fellow members in the committee or if you are a commission staffer interested in getting plugged in. Content will be led by what committee members would like to discuss. 

Ensuring safe, reliable natural gas delivery is paramount for state utility regulators and the public. Existing measures like pipeline integrity programs and public awareness initiatives have reduced incidents, yet further protection is needed. This session examines how advanced gas alarm technology can complement current frameworks by adding safeguards against leaks. Data from PHMSA and NTSB show that incidents persist despite best practices. Emerging tech—such as UL 1484-compliant in-home methane detectors per NFPA 715 guidelines—offers proactive risk mitigation for both residential and commercial settings. Global examples, from Japan’s regulatory framework to Con Edison’s deployment in New York, underscore the benefits of integrating gas alarms into utility safety programs via regulatory incentives, pilot programs, and industry collaboration to boost consumer safety, operational reliability and public trust in utility oversight.

In this Session, Illinois Commissioner Stacey Paradis will emcee an all-female panel of nuclear specialists. Illinois has the largest number of nuclear power reactors in operation in the U.S. with 11 nuclear reactors located in six different nuclear power plants. Commissioner Paradis will lead a discussion on the state of nuclear as of July 27 and where it might go in the future. Her panelists have vast experience in the industry and are on the cutting edge of new projects for the future.

In September of 2018, excessive pressure in Columbia Gas of Massachusetts natural gas distribution lines caused explosions and fires in the Merrimack Valley region north of Boston. One person was killed and thousands had to evacuate their homes. Columbia Gas, later acquired by Eversource, managed a complicated emergency response and reconstruction process involving multiple contractors to restore gas service to affected homes and businesses. Since the incident, a round of comprehensive leak surveys and a gas distribution integrity management program (DIMP) have been completed, offering valuable insights into system performance. This session will discuss how the incident unfolded, the immediate and longer-term response, and recommendations for state regulators in overseeing a successful gas distribution system rebuild.

Have you ever been confused about the items on your energy bill? Have you ever had trouble finding information about the customer programs and incentives available to you when looking to replace an appliance or find ways to save money? We might be energy nerds here at NARUC, but we’re also energy customers – and from that perspective, it’s not always easy to find the information we’re looking for. In a period of growing cost pressures and increasing residential electric rates, it’s more important than ever for customers to understand what’s going into their bills and what actions they can take to save money. This panel will explore ways that public utility commissions, utilities, industry, and community partners are working to increase public information-sharing with innovative technologies, public events, and through social media.

Just like the iconic Boston-themed TV show, this is the place where everyone knows your name. [The name badges help!] Meet old friends and make new connections. This prelude to three days of thoughtful discussions, probing questions, and a range of perspectives across the utilities spectrum is the place to be.

(Commission Chairs Only)

(Invitees Only)

Welcome Remarks

Hon. Jamie Van Nostrand
Chairman
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities

Fireside Chat with Hon Mark Christie, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Hon. Tricia Pridemore
NARUC President
(MODERATOR)
Georgia

As demand from data centers and other large load customers increases, states are working to balance reliability and affordability. Utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, and large load customers are exploring new rate structures and tariff designs to address cost allocation, risk mitigation, and resource procurement. States like Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Nevada have recently approved tariffs for new large load customers. This panel will explore the state objectives regulators consider when evaluating tariffs and what tariff design elements support those goals. How have existing large load tariffs addressed costs, risks, and resource procurement, and what changes are needed? What actions can increase transparency and customer protections with rapid load growth? How can regulators meet the needs of new large load customers, including sustainability and clean energy goals? 

Reliance on natural gas as a fuel source for electric generation continues to grow. Expectations for the new Trump administration are that federal policies will favor natural gas production and energy usage. NERC continues to develop new reliability standards that address interdependencies between the gas and electric sectors, including cold weather preparedness standards and a new energy assurance standard for energy constrained generators. Is it time to establish reliability rules for natural gas infrastructure that acknowledge the reality of the co-dependence between the natural gas system and bulk power system? What opportunities exist to better coordinate between these two sectors? And how might state regulators play a critical role in ensuring ongoing fuel supply as part of their state energy security plans and prevent major grid outages?

Since 2023, residential electricity rate increases have outpaced inflation, leaving many Americans struggling to afford utility bills. In the past year, one third of American households reported foregoing other necessary expenditures in order to pay their energy bills. This panel will address a number of facets of affordability. First, how can regulators and utilities ensure they are leveraging low-cost resources and optimizing past investments to minimize rate increases? How can regulators promote efficient utility spending and reduce customer exposure to fuel price volatility? Second, how can regulators manage cost increases driven by actions needed to meet state and regional energy goals and policies? Third, how can regulators expand access to solutions that help customers save money and ensure that they can consistently pay for utility service? What role do energy efficiency programs, discounted rates, percentage of income payment plans, and associated customer safeguards play in affordability, and what are the challenges related to customer outreach and enrollment? Fourth, what are the unique affordability challenges in rural service territories and how can regulators and utilities ensure that rural customers do not bear a disproportionate burden from the changing energy landscape.

Utility resource adequacy planning has become increasingly complex in the face of growing uncertainty in load forecasts, continued cost reductions in alternative generation technologies, and state and federal energy policy objectives that have become moving targets. This panel will review analytical methods used to value the various grid attributes that different resources can provide and compare them to regulators’ decision-making requirements. To what extent are long-standing metrics like Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and Reserve Planning Margin (RPM) still useful, and how might newer, more holistic approaches facilitate the exploration of various investments while considering factors like reliability, cost, risk, and emissions? The session will present one or more case-studies and provide attendees with ample opportunity to ask questions of practitioners.

Energy efficiency (EE) and demand response (DR) provide critical, cost-effective, and fuel-neutral strategies to address growing peak demand, reliability challenges, and economic pressures facing state energy systems. This session will examine how regulatory commissions can effectively integrate EE and DR across electricity and natural gas systems, enhancing grid resilience and reducing overall system costs. Panelists will offer concrete examples from states, utilities, and federal initiatives that successfully break down barriers between electric and gas efficiency programs, modernize demand-side management approaches, and utilize flexible load strategies to deliver direct benefits to consumers. Participants will leave with practical policy frameworks to better coordinate programs, boost customer engagement, and strengthen resilience across all energy systems.

Safe drinking water is essential to protect public health, and in this role, water utilities are working diligently to comply with federal PFAS regulations before the deadline. As utilities design and install PFAS remediation technology, operators have encountered challenges and barriers, which have resulted in innovative solutions and lessons learned.  This session will present the challenges, successes, and best practices learned from water utilities with experience designing and implementing full-scale PFAS treatment facilities.  Panelists will also discuss the legal challenges to the federal PFAS drinking water regulations and what that means for the future, as well as litigation by water utilities against the polluters of these chemicals.

In many parts of the country, Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) play a critical role in electric delivery, reliability, resource adequacy, and generation investment. But challenges loom. NERC’s 2025-2029 Risk Assessment places six of the seven RTO/ISO regions in either the “high” or “elevated” risk categories. In addition, with both power demands and costs rising, RTOs find themselves under increasing political and public pressure from elected officials, advocacy groups, and regional stakeholders. This panel will explore the landscape surrounding RTOs and the competing policy demands thrust upon them. Our expert panel will discuss the forces at play and what it means for the nation’s RTOs.

(Commissioner Emeritus Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Commissioners Only)

Changes in federal energy policy and regulation are creating a complex environment for long-term resource planning by utilities, energy stakeholders, and public utility commissions. This panel explores multiple viewpoints on the evolving regulatory framework, its potential trajectory, implications for the broader energy market, and strategies utilities are employing to manage planning risks and uncertainties. 

Rate of return ratemaking, or “traditional ratemaking,” has been a mainstay of state public utility regulation for at least a half a century. It has allowed utilities to remain financially healthy and invest in needed capital, while at the same time ensuring safe drinking water at reasonable rates for customers. Yet, over the decades, the water sector has experienced new challenges and innovations that have required the traditional ratemaking model to evolve.  This panel will discuss innovative approaches to ratemaking from across the country that have proven successful to address challenges, like PFAS, cybersecurity, extreme weather, and infrastructure investment, in a way that will help prepare utilities and support customers for the future.

In 2023, natural gas represented 36% of primary energy consumption in the US and fueled 43% of our nation's electricity production. The natural gas system of pipelines and storage can provide approximately 8 weeks of natural gas energy use in the U.S. Today many policy makers are beginning to understand the critical nature of natural gas as an energy source and the importance of the infrastructure that delivers it. This session will help uncover the key issues/processes and technologies surrounding ensuring that natural gas continues to be a cost effective and reliable energy source well into the future and discuss critical infrastructure and resiliency needs.

Safe and reliable water service cannot exist without well-maintained infrastructure.  Often out of sight and out of mind, the plants that treat and the pipes that deliver our drinking water are the unsung heroes of the water sector.  However, investing in this essential infrastructure is expensive and many small water utilities struggle to make the needed investments in their systems.  This panel will discuss the importance of continuing to update and repair water infrastructure, particularly in today’s world where distrust in tap water is at it’s highest.  Speakers will share success stories from remediating struggling systems, as well as best practices that help utilities prepare for the future and have the resources to ensure their systems continue to be safe and reliable.

Transmission investment is accelerating across the U.S., driven by aging infrastructure, rising electricity demand, and the need to connect new generation resources. As billions of dollars flow into the grid, it is critical to ensure every transmission dollar is spent prudently. Yet the tools proposed to achieve this — from Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) to enhanced transmission planning oversight, transmission incentives, and Order No. 1920 planning processes — each introduce their own complexities, trade-offs, and cost implications. 

How can state regulators navigate this evolving landscape to ensure that transmission investments deliver maximum benefits at the lowest possible cost? This session will explore practical steps that state, regional, and federal entities can take to strengthen regulatory oversight, promote efficient planning, and build a more affordable and reliable grid. 

As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather increases, the costs of maintaining reliable utility infrastructure also increase. Regulators are tasked with ensuring that the distribution grid withstands natural disasters and man-made disruptions and determining the balance between cost and the diminishing returns to reliability investments. This panel will explore how integrated resilience planning identifies the proactive actions utilities can take to increase resilience, along with their expected results and costs, and then focus on two specific factors that resilience plans might include: demand-side management (DSM) and inverter-based resources (IBR). First, this panel will explore how energy efficiency programs—across both electric and gas systems—can be better integrated with system planning to reduce total system costs, enable flexible load, enhance grid resilience, and avoid overbuilding infrastructure. Second, this panel will discuss the potential for significant reliability gaps associated with renewable inverter-based resources (IBRs), primarily wind and solar assets, which could threaten grid security. Information on the reliability of renewable assets, how new FERC Orders and NERC regulations may impact both reliability and the cost of renewable development in their state, and how IBRs can support, rather than compromise, reliability.

This session brings together former utility regulators to reflect on their experiences, sharing invaluable lessons learned throughout their careers. The discussion will explore key insights that could have shaped their approach if they had known them earlier, offering guidance to those currently navigating the complexities of regulatory roles. Panelists will delve into the challenges and rewards of transitioning from private to public sector work, shedding light on the differences in decision-making processes, stakeholder engagement, and the balance between public interest and business needs. The role of ethics in regulatory decision-making will also be a central theme, with panelists examining how personal values, transparency, and integrity influenced their work. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of dilemmas faced by regulators, the importance of accountability, and how their decisions shape the future of public services and the communities they serve. This session aims to provide both practical advice and thought-provoking reflections for anyone involved in the regulatory or public sector space.

Join us for an engaging and insightful panel discussion featuring a group of experts who are navigating the fast-paced, ever-evolving policy landscape in Washington, D.C.  With the Administration and the 119th Congress now at the half-year mark, our panelists – executives from some of the nation’s leading trade associations – will share their views on the national policy and regulatory landscape as it stands just prior to the August recess.  As the nation’s capital continues to be a hotbed of Congressional, legal, and regulatory activity, this panel will dive deep into the latest developments and pressing issues that matter most to NARUC members.

Members of the NARUC Task Force on Natural Gas Resource Planning will share draft roadmaps outlining potential planning processes for natural gas distribution utilities from the perspective of state utility commissions. All commissioners and commission staff are invited to join and offer feedback about possible improvements and share their own examples. Registration is free, but advance registration is required.