(Invitees Only)

The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) Kickoff will feature state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric company representatives to introduce CCIF’s new topic, ENERGY SECURITY THROUGH RESOURCE ADEQUACY: Resources and Regulation to Reinforce Reliability, Resilience, and Reasonable Rates for Customers.

Separate registration required (no fee but space limited): REGISTER HERE

Networking Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:00 AM (buffet sponsored by Edison Electric Institute)

Program: 8:00 – 9:15 AM (in collaboration with NARUC Staff Subcommittees)

(Separate registration required.)

Click here to register.

Customer bills have been rising across the country, leading to concerns that affordability will continue to decline as investments are needed to accommodate load growth, modernize the grid, improve resilience, and meet a range of state priorities. Public utility commissions are grappling with how to manage these costs and improve affordability for all customers while ensuring safe and reliable service. During this interactive workshop, participants will explore cost drivers in and across states and discuss challenges that commissions face in assessing and controlling costs for customers. Participants will discuss a range of strategies available to better identify, evaluate, and manage these costs.

This is a closed session, for NARUC and NASUCA members only. Due to space constraints, separate, free registration is required in advance.

Affordability is a foundational pillar of utility service. One of the key contributors to affordability are utility line extension programs. These programs, rooted in foundational economic principles of utility regulation, seek to provide low-cost utility service while expanding service offerings to both current and future customers. This program will examine the foundations of line extension programs, and how utilities currently leverage those programs to provide affordable service to consumers.

The Pipeline Safety Trust (PST) is dedicated to advancing pipeline safety through education, advocacy, and partnerships that strengthen collaboration among regulators, industry leaders, and the public. Executive Director Bill Caram will share PST’s vision for a future with zero pipeline incidents and discuss the vital role of constructive engagement between state and federal pipeline safety officials, infrastructure owners and operators, and the communities they impact. 

His presentation will highlight key issues such as federal pipeline safety reauthorization, updates on Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) rulemakings, developments in CO₂ and hydrogen pipelines, customer methane detection and advanced leak detection technologies, transparency in safety data, and other ongoing PST initiatives aimed at fostering safer and more sustainable energy infrastructure. 

What does "no capacity" really mean?

Utilities oftentimes say there is "no capacity" when what they really mean is under worst case scenario modeling a specific feeder may reach it's rated limit for several hours on the hottest days of the year. These "capacity constrained" feeders likely have ample capacity for much of the year, especially during certain hours of the day.

Learn about how utilities, customers, and regulators are developing "Win, Win, Win" solutions to connect loads to the grid faster using interim excess capacity during most of the year while future system upgrades are completed. Flexible interconnection is a fast and low cost way to connect load quickly through increased communication, transparency, and coordination between utilities and customers.

Customer: "Since you have capacity during most of the year, can we connect and use that power during those times of excess capacity?" Utility: "Yes, please sign this flexible interconnection agreement."

1:00 pm        Welcome & Roll Call

1:05 pm         Approval of July 23, 2025 Minutes

1:10 pm         Updates

• Center for Partnerships & Innovation Update 
• NARUC Professional Development  
•      NARUC Rate School
•      Online courses
•      NARUC New Commissioner Regulatory Orientation (NCRO)
• 2025 Summer Internships

1:50 pm         Any Other Business

2:00 pm         Adjourn

For 30 years, the North American Numbering Council (NANC) provided a forum for state commissions, service providers, and other stakeholders to discuss telephone numbering issues and provide input to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding preservation of the North American Numbering Plan.  The discontinuance of the NANC raises questions on how state commissions and other stakeholders can resolve challenges that arise regarding telephone number conservation and provide meaningful input to the FCC on possible solutions.  This roundtable is designed to obtain input from state commissions, industry, and other stakeholders regarding such questions as: 

1. What type of collaborative process, if any, would be beneficial for state commissions, industry, and other stakeholders to have to address number conservation issues?
2. What role should state commissions, industry, and other stakeholders have in numbering conservation going forward?
3. What is the importance of geographic numbers in an IP world?
4. What changes to FCC numbering administration rules are necessary?
5. Are IP numbering rules necessary?

The goal of the Demand Roundtable is to bring together a rotating group of seven Public Utility Commissioners, seven large electricity customers, and seven utility/regional transmission operators to discuss the critical issues surrounding increased energy demand over the next decade. The Roundtables aim for open, transparent discussion to foster dialogue that allows state commissioners to better understand energy demand associated with re-shoring, electrification, and data center growth, and what that will mean for individual states.

Utilities and regulators face difficult challenges as they navigate the evolving energy landscape and work to strike the right balance between affordability, reliability, and other objectives. In particular, concerns about both customer costs and reliability are increasing. According to the Energy Information Administration, retail electricity prices have increased faster than the rate of inflation over the past three years. From a reliability standpoint, recent federal actions as well as utilities and grid operators have delayed fossil-fuel retirements in response to rapid load growth. This panel will examine how utilities, regulators, and grid operators are addressing affordability and reliability challenges and provide insights on balancing these two objectives.      

The Staff Subcommittee and Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity will hold a closed meeting for its members.

How can established nuclear operators provide operational solutions for small modular reactors, microreactors, and advanced technologies to utilities new to nuclear power? As adopting utilities include nuclear for decarbonization and reliability, discussions will focus on experienced insight about partnerships, training, regulatory support, workforce development, supply chains, and collaboration to address experience gaps.

This fireside chat will focus on embracing change and maintaining momentum, including suppliers and fostering innovation. Change is constant, and success depends on how effectively organizations and partners adapt. This discussion highlights practical ways the utility supplier diversity initiative continues to grow and strengthen partnerships in an evolving environment. Panelists will share experiences on maintaining momentum, supporting diverse suppliers, and fostering innovation that leads to lasting success across the utility sector.

Low-cost electricity has long afforded the United States a competitive economic advantage. In recent years, however, retail electricity prices have risen rapidly in nominal terms. Though this increase in national-average retail electricity prices has largely tracked inflation, some states experienced steep price increases exceeding inflation, whereas many others saw reductions in inflation-adjusted prices. This presentation covers LBNL’s recent research seeking to better understand recent retail electricity pricing trends and the myriad drivers of changes in state-level prices--including distribution investments, extreme weather and wildfires, load growth, wind and solar deployment, natural gas dependence, and more. The relative influence of these factors varies across states and over time, and relationships may change in the future. The research findings underscore the wide variety of price determinants. 

(Commission Chairs Only)

How to Obtain GREAT Post Commission Employment

Welcome and Introductions

Presentation - Costco, Amazon

• Learn which utility programs large customers currently use and what utilities and Commissions can do to help these companies meet their energy and business needs. Energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and meeting renewable energy goals will be on the table, along with novel tariffs and unique cost saving measures.

Roundtable Discussion – Hon. Mike La Rosa, Florida

• Commissioners will share what the current important issues are in their state, the problems their Utilities and Consumers are facing, and what kinds of support and education they would like to receive from the ERE Committee in 2026.

Past ERE Resolution Update – Hon. Stacey Paradis, Illinois

NARUC Center for Partnerships & Innovation (CPI) Update – Jeff Loiter, Technical Director, CPI, NARUC

Welcome and Introductions by Hon. Floyd McKissick, North Carolina  

LIHEAP federal policy update by Katrina Metzler, National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition

• Impact of rising electrcity prices
• Near/long term outlook
• State's role in the changing federal landscape 

NASUCA remarks by Nina Suetake, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates 

• Emerging critical topics  
• Overview of NASUCA

Recent developments thrust the Canada-US energy partnership into the media spotlight. Lost amidst the headlines is a discussion of the issues shaping Canada’s energy sector. Topics include: (1) geopolitical and trade pressures (Buy Canada Act), and (2) regional and political divisions over energy policy, which can impact reliability. An international panel explores these developments and considers how Canada and the United States’ energy systems are different.

Presentation by Hillory Courtney, InfoTech.

Speaker Bio:

With more than twenty years of experience in technology leadership, Hillory Courtney has built a career at the intersection of innovation and public service. In her current role as Senior Executive Counselor at Info-Tech Research Group, she provides grounded, relevant guidance to senior IT leaders and their teams. Her tenure in local government spanned ERP deployment, project and portfolio management, organizational change management, strategic planning, citizen-centric service design, and digital transformation. Hillory excels in managing the human side of technology adoption and believes IT teams are vital strategic partners in the delivery of public services. She is passionate about enabling organizations to optimize operations, embrace innovation, and build resilient, future-ready technology ecosystems.

1. Vote on Resolutions

2. Fireside Chat with FERC Commissioner Lindsay See

3. Wildfire Update from First Vice President Ann Rendahl 

4. Update from GDO Deputy Director David Parsons 

5. GEAR Update from President Pridemore

6. NARUC Center for Partnerships and Innovation (CPI) Update, Margerie Snider

• Welcome by Hon. Stephen DeFrank, Pennsylvania
• Vote on Resolutions
• Update on the Taskforce on Gas-Electric Alignment for Reliability (GEAR) by Hon. Tricia Pridemore, Georgia
• Remarks from Hon. Judy Chang, FERC

Water Committee Business Meeting Agenda:

• Opening Remarks
• Hon. Michael Bange, New Jersey
• National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) Update
• Robert Powelson, President and CEO, NAWC
• Leak Detection Programs
• Malay Patel, Manager, Echologics
• Wildfire Partnerships between Water Utilities and Universities
• Erik Porse, PhD, Director, California Institute for Water Resources, Cooperative Extension Specialist, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Advanced Metering Rollout
• John Tang, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations, San Jose Water
• State Commissioner Issue Roundtable

Presentation by Salesforce and DorgerSoft.  10:30 am to noon.

• Deena Tearney and Terry Boedecker, Salesforce: implemented system for Hawaii (40 min)
• Scot Dorger, DorgerSoft: implemented system for Louisiana and Mississippi (40 min)

Welcome

Hon. Brian Rybarik, Washington

President's Remarks

Officer Elections

In Memoriam

Regulation Without Borders: Regulatory Leadership Across Jurisdictional Lines

Many utilities operate across state lines, triggering the need to juggle multiple jurisdictional prerogatives. The possibility of increased merger and acquisition activity may increase this phenomenon. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with regulation across jurisdictional borders, with a focus on providing regulators and utilities practical advice on improving efficiency and customer outcomes.

From Silos to Synergy: The GEAR Task Force

In 2023, NARUC Pres. Fedorchak established the Gas - Electric Alignment for Reliability Taskforce. GEAR is comprised of a representative from each portion of the gas generation for electricity value chain and 7 state commissioners. After two years, and hundreds of hours of meetings and negotiations, GEAR has wrapped their work. Learn how it all happened from every GEAR member and get details on their report premiering at the 2025 NARUC Annual Meeting.

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Invitees Only)

(Commissioners Only)

Beyond the Docket: Protecting Regulators and Public Discourse in an Era of Heightened Conflict

The job of utility regulator involves balancing stakeholder interests while ensuring safe and reliable essential utility services. It is a public role, in which sound decision-making includes gathering feedback from the public and interested parties. The proceedings overseen by regulators are also increasingly contentious, with issues like climate change policy, permitting and siting, and utility costs receiving significant attention. Given recent events, regulators and their staff are increasingly cognizant of physical security threats, particularly during public hearings. These forums may involve heightened emotions and disruptive behavior, with the threat of targeted harassment, intimidation, and violence extending to regulators and staff in their workplaces and personal lives. This Commissioner-only session will explore the topic of commission security at the intersection of regulatory oversight and public engagement. 

Remarks from Redmond: Microsoft's Energy Outlook

Bobby Hollis, Vice President of Energy, Microsoft

Public Purpose, Private Pressures: Navigating Demand Growth in the Not-for-Profit Utility Sector

This session will focus on demand growth in the electricity sector. Attendees will first hear from Microsoft, followed by a panel of experts from not-for-profit utilities.

Not-for-profit utilities are facing demand growth pressures that are similar to investor owned utilities, yet they have a distinct business model for financing these large-scale investments. This session will discuss how the nation's public power and cooperative utilities are addressing the need for more electricity to power the nation's increasing demand.

Where Have All the Workers Gone? The Future of Workforce Development in the Utility Sector

There is a looming talent gap in utility sector. This is not just a problem for utilities because there is evidence that there is a connection between operator quality and utility performance. Panelists will discuss their most pressing workforce challenges related to hiring, employee retention, salary, and benefits. Panelists will share successful workforce programs and partnerships, insights into attracting and retaining the next generation of utility professionals, and skills needed for the future of the industry.

As BEAD funds are distributed to the states and construction of broadband infrastructure ramps up, pole attachments become a key issue in ensuring that end users get access to broadband on an expedited basis. Both telecom providers and electricity companies must work together to ensure that broadband infrastructure is deployed in a timely manner. The FCC’s Fifth Report And Order, Fourth Further Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking, And Orders On Reconsideration seeks to promote fast and efficient deployment and ensure that “access to the vital infrastructure of utility poles [is] “swift, predictable, safe, and affordable, [and]to ensure that broadband providers can continue to enter new markets and deploy facilities that support high-speed broadband.” Pole owners and “attachers” agree that changes are needed to meet this goal, but differ on requirements and processes. This panel follows up on July’s discussion of the best way to ensure that issues with pole attachments do not impede the swift installation and deployment of broadband across the nation.

Federal Emergency Orders in Energy Emergencies

This session will examine existing federal statutes and tools available to address widespread, multi-state, grid or fuel emergencies with specific case studies of their benefits and limitations. Recently, U.S. DOE has issued a request for information about approaches that could accelerate speed to power and has invoked emergency authority of the Secretary of Energy to keep open plants that were otherwise closing—in some cases in spite of opposition from the affected state. In other cases, there are potential gaps in authority and unclear procedures to address issues like widespread fuel emergencies resulting from cyber or physical attacks affecting the grid. This panel will review these challenges from the perspective of state commissions seeking to protect the consumers they serve.

Presention by Hillory Courtney, InfoTech

Speaker Bio:

With more than twenty years of experience in technology leadership, Hillory Courtney has built a career at the intersection of innovation and public service. In her current role as Senior Executive Counselor at Info-Tech Research Group, she provides grounded, relevant guidance to senior IT leaders and their teams. Her tenure in local government spanned ERP deployment, project and portfolio management, organizational change management, strategic planning, citizen-centric service design, and digital transformation. Hillory excels in managing the human side of technology adoption and believes IT teams are vital strategic partners in the delivery of public services. She is passionate about enabling organizations to optimize operations, embrace innovation, and build resilient, future-ready technology ecosystems.

Fireside Chat on Data Centers

State of the Gas Utility Industry

NARUC 2025-2026 President's Remarks

Save the Pipes! Tips and Tricks for Successful Asset Management

Threats to utility assets come from all directions – weather events, cyber criminals, aging pipes. Utility asset management is essential to ensuring the longevity of infrastructure and the safety and reliability of service. Recognizing the importance of adequate asset management, some state utility commissions have begun to implement policies to ensure that all utilities, regardless of ownership structure, are effectively managing their infrastructure. This panel will share ideas for how to manage utility assets proactively and effectively to the benefit of the customer.

Promoting Consumer Protections for Gas Supply Choice Customers in Regulatory Frameworks

Gas supply choice programs are widely leveraged by consumers across the country. A concern for many consumers and stakeholders alike are the protections offered to consumers that participate in these programs. In certain jurisdictions, such as Georgia’s retail natural gas market, there exists a robust regulatory framework that promotes consumer choice, market competition, and innovation. This program will further dive into regulatory frameworks for gas supply choice programs, and how those frameworks protect customers both today and in the future.

Managing Interconnection Complexity: Proven State Strategies to Accelerate DER Adoption

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are essential to the energy transition, yet interconnection is increasingly complex – balancing federal and state rules, rising load demand, rapid DER adoption, and aging grid infrastructure. Efficiently managing this process is critical to keeping costs affordable, ensuring reliability, and meeting clean energy goals. This session shares practical, regulator-relevant solutions from across the U.S.: New York’s cost-sharing and hosting capacity maps; Maine’s IOU Grid Plans; Massachusetts’ fixed cost limits and faster timelines; Ohio’s HB 15 to accelerate behind-the-meter generation; and Hawaii’s partnership with Enphase to clear solar backlogs using smart inverters and high-resolution grid data. Attendees will gain actionable insights to adapt these proven approaches to their own states, accelerating DER deployment while maintaining reliability and affordability.

Hot Rocks! Turning Up the Heat with Next-Gen Geothermal

Next-gen geothermal systems and superhot rock drilling can access heat nearly anywhere, offering up to 90-300 GW of potential capacity by 2050. Geologic studies show that 36 states have at least moderate next-gen geothermal potential at 7 km deep, and all 48 contiguous states meet that threshold at 10 km. With existing strong federal incentives, bipartisan support, and new technologies reducing cost and risk, 1+ GW of new geothermal capacity could come online by 2028. Still, next-gen geothermal faces steep hurdles: high upfront capital needs, long and unpredictable permitting, limited procurement pathways, and minimal regulatory guidance. What regulatory and permitting reforms are needed to accommodate deep-drilled geothermal in planning proceedings, interconnection queues, and procurement planning? What new financing and ownership models can help share risk and attract investment? And how can regulators weigh the resilience and land-use benefits of geothermal alongside its risks and costs?

SSIS Discussion:

• Brady Cox: Docketing/Document/Case Management System
• AI readiness at Commissions
• Nationwide Commission IT communication channels
• Data Exchange Process with Utilities
• Telework for IT or Commission Staff

Shovels in the Ground for New Nuclear

Future Proofing the Grid: Overcoming Inverter-Based Resource Reliability Challenges

States play an enormously consequential role driving clean energy policies and as a result, renewable inverter-based resources (IBRs) comprise an increasing share of bulk power system. However, recent ERO Enterprise assessments identified significant reliability gaps associated with IBRs, primarily wind and solar assets, which threaten grid security. In response, FERC issued Order 901 to address these reliability challenges and recently approved new NERC rules that require bulk power system connected IBRs to comply with existing NERC Reliability Standards.

State commissions are responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and affordability of electricity service for customers within their state. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, national electricity demand is forecasted to increase by 15.8% by 2029, raising new concerns about resource adequacy to ensure a reliable system. In this session, regional leaders will explain how they establish and maintain resource adequacy in a variety of regulatory settings. Speakers will share how they engage with state regulators that oversee utility planning.

Legal Ethics Session: Views from the Bench

All attorneys are bound to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct for the states in which they are admitted to practice law. These rules set standards for professional behavior before all legal tribunals including state public service commissions. This panel will outline issues that they have personally encountered and how they or the affected person handled the situation and/or hypothetical scenarios that an attorney may face while practicing before a commission. Panelists will discuss the ethics of these scenarios as they relate to the duty of candor. Panelists will also address civility and professionalism among the members of the bar appearing before our commissions.

SSIS Discussion:

• Brady Cox: Docketing/Document/Case Management System
• AI readiness at Commissions
• Nationwide Commission IT communication channels
• Data Exchange Process with Utilities
• Telework for IT or Commission Staff

(Invitees Only)

The Federal-State Current Issues Collaborative convenes FERC and NARUC Commissioners to discuss current issues facing the nation. This forum brings together regulators and stakeholders at the intersection of federal and state energy policy, addressing key challenges such as infrastructure permitting and coordination between retail and wholesale markets. Join us at the NARUC 2025 Annual Meeting for its public session on November 12 in Seattle. For more information and the full agenda, visit the FERC’s Federal-State Current Issues Collaborative page.

More information about the Collaborative here

How Much Water Does AI Drink?

Energy demand has been the focus around data centers and AI — but data centers also require significant water resources. Water quality and quantity keep many regulators up at night even before AI moves into the neighborhood. Panelists will share various options for minimizing water use in data center operations. The resulting conversation will help regulators, utilities and others find ways to include both water and energy resources in the discussion and decision making around data center growth. Recent reports on data center water use will be highlighted.

After BEAD, What's Next for Broadband?

By the end of this year, the U.S. will be on a path towards universal broadband availability. With that issue solved, what's next for the broadband sector and what role should states play in this new environment? Numerous issues still remain to be addressed, notably boosting broadband adoption rates, addressing affordability concerns, and equipping more users with core digital literacy skills. Should states play a lead role on these issues? What about pursuing formal regulation of broadband and other advanced services? The FCC has all but abandoned the regulation of these services, leaving an opening for states to pick up the slack. Is state regulation of these services necessary? This panel will explore where states stand post-BEAD and where they might go.

Prensentation by Michael Cruz, Microsoft

Remarks by US Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT)- (virtual)

Blazing Trails: Policy and Technology Innovation in Wildfire Resilience and Response

Wildfires are no longer a distant risk—they’re here and they’re reshaping how every utility and community must prepare and respond. From Maui to the Texas Panhandle to Long Island, the consequences can be devastating. In response, NARUC’s members, utilities and others have focused over the last year to develop a workbook for states focused on Managing Wildfire Risk in the Electric Utility Sector, sharing the efforts of states, utilities and others to mitigate and reduce the risk to utilities, customers and communities. Drawing from industry leaders and wildfire resilience experts, this panel will highlight innovations in regulatory policies, strategies and technologies, including through the use of AI, to support cost effective wildfire risk assessment, mitigation planning, grid hardening and community resilience while balancing safety, affordability, and reliability.

The audience will learn: How utilities and regulators analyze wildfire risks and develop mitigation plans and strategies to enhance wildfire resilience and balance grid reliability with wildfire safety and customer affordability. How innovative technology deployment and collaboration between utilities and state and local entities is enhancing wildfire preparedness. How regulators and policymakers are managing financial risks and improving wildfire preparedness and resilience.