National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

A lively panel discussion dedicated to the question of whether a change in regulatory structure is needed to power a new clean energy economy helped kick off the National Electricity Forum, an annual confab co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, an association representing state utility regulators. Regulators, environmentalists, policy influencers and other panelists roundly pointed to market competition as the answer.

To inspire innovation in the electricity industry and jumpstart a clean energy economy, “We need to start turning the conversation around to markets,” declared Jon Wellinghoff, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Following the Senate’s confirmation last week of former Iowa utility regulator John Norris to a seat on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), we were encouraged to hear him say he would “work toward ensuring open and fair energy markets in which consumers, retailers and wholesalers can have confidence.” His prepared statement further noted challenges ahead including “minimizing the impact changes will have on consumers, ensuring adequate investment in upgrading and building new infrastructure and meeting our nation’s goals for reducing CO2 emissions.”