Utility grids in the United States are at an inflection point. This brief “Regulatory Agility: Responsive and Adaptable Regulation for a Shifting Energy System” by RMI concludes that State public utilities commissions (PUCs) play a critical role in ensuring the health and economic vitality of families and businesses across the country. However, PUCs face increasingly complex mandates, continued rate increase requests, and a rapidly changing energy system. PUCs must continue to modernize to keep pace with the need to transition to a decarbonized, equitable, and flexible energy system.
Although deeper shifts enabled by changes to legislation, funding, and PUC authority are essential, there are a variety of tools available to PUCs that can help make their decision-making processes faster, more flexible, and adaptable. Regulatory agility will better equip PUCs to act responsively and decisively to more proactively meet state mandates, support constrained staff, and meet the needs of stakeholders. The brief cover PUCs’ purpose, people, and processes as PUCs take on an expanding role while still meeting their historic mandate of ensuring safety, reliability, and affordability.
Access the brief here
