With Great Power Bringing organized markets to the Wild West
Jul 22, 2025
Carrie Simpson, Vice President of Markets at Southwest Power Pool, brings a wealth of experience from her early days at Enron to her current role optimizing utilities for better service. She discusses the transition from turmoil in power trading to the innovative Markets+ initiative, designed to enhance collaboration among Western utilities. Carrie delves into why these markets are now critical and the challenges ahead for integrating new practices. Her insights on building a more organized energy landscape are both enlightening and forward-thinking.
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Carrie's Enron Internship Story
- Carrie Simpson started as a college intern at Enron's power trading floor, fascinated but confused by the fast-paced energy trading world.
- After Enron's collapse six months into her career, she felt disillusioned and left the industry temporarily.
Teaching About Enron Collapse
- After leaving Enron, Carrie became a high school teacher, incorporating lessons about Enron into her curriculum to engage students.
- She used her real-world experience to teach government and economics, making complex energy topics accessible to teenagers.
Returning to Energy Industry
- Carrie reentered the energy industry in 2007 at a utility in Oklahoma after growing dissatisfied with teaching pay.
- She transitioned to a resource planning role and learned about regulated utilities and state regulation.