Conference Edition | Nov. 26, 2019 Editor's Note "If you had a magic wand and could fix a single market," which market would you pick? former National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) President Nick Wagner asked a diverse panel of energy resource and technology advocates last week.
Greater participation in markets seemed to be the theme with four of the six panelists pointing to ongoing processes at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including Order 841 and the minimum offer price rule "standoff" with the PJM lnterconnection.
The tension between a rapidly evolving power grid and the comparatively slow pace of bureaucratic change was palpable at NARUC this year, though rising pressure to decarbonize the electric sector is spurring regulatory innovation.
Here are some of Utility Dive's takeaways from the week.
Thanks for reading,
 Catherine Morehouse
Associate Editor, Utility Dive
Twitter | E-mail  Overheard at the show "This isn't about one resource keeping the lights on. It's about the controls and the grid that needs to keep the lights on. It's about the regulators here in this room that need to keep the lights on, and the utilities who they regulate." – Kelly Speakes-Backman, CEO of the Energy Storage Association Event coverage Commissioner Brandon Presley from Mississippi envisions every state commissioner feeling comfortable to collaborate with their counterparts at FERC or the FCC. Read More » |
The 1978 law — largely credited with driving the small renewables market — is facing a potential major shift, and though most regulators agree the rule should be changed, they disagree with some of FERC's mechanisms. Read More » |
U.S. utility commissioners agree that traditional fossil fuel generation will be an important aspect of grid reliability over the next decade, according to a NARUC survey. Read More » |
"I hope we can return back to the days when ... FERC used to be able to work as a nonpartisan entity," the sole Democrat FERC commissioner told a crowd of state regulators. Read More » |
 Parting thought Utility regulators have an increasingly complicated job. As more states pursue decarbonization strategies, one issue was addressed more head-on this year than at previous NARUC conferences — climate change. From critical infrastructure to competitive markets, the concern is increasingly shaping regulatory approaches, and will likely continue to be a priority. | 
