Volts This new organization wants to remake PUCs for the energy transition
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Sep 11, 2024 
Charles Hua, an energy analyst launching PowerLines, discusses the hidden power of Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) in shaping energy policy. He highlights the urgent need for reform to enhance public oversight and engagement in utility regulation. The conversation covers challenges like underfunding, the necessity of performance-based regulation, and empowering community voices, especially from low-income and environmental justice groups. Ultimately, Hua aims to structure PUCs to better align with modern energy demands and consumer interests.
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PUCs Wield Outsized, Underseen Power
- Public utility commissions (PUCs) control rates, investments, and project siting for utilities and thus shape the entire energy transition.
- These ~200 commissioners oversee over $200 billion in annual utility spending, yet few people know who they are or what they do.
Regulators Face Structural Capacity Limits
- The PUC job is technically hard, under-resourced, and suffers high turnover, leaving little institutional memory.
- Commissioners average four to five years, so many leave before mastering the role or building public support for bold choices.
Silence Lets Utilities Set The Terms
- Low public attention removes accountability and lets utilities dominate PUC outcomes by default.
- Sunlight and broader civic engagement are necessary to shift incentives toward the public interest.