FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New CCIF Report Focused on Customer-Centered Transition to Clean Energy
SAN DIEGO (July 19, 2022) – The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) today released a new report, The Customer-Centered Clean Energy Transition: Balancing Technology, People & the Planet, during an event collocated with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Summer Policy Summit in San Diego. CCIF is a collaborative that includes members of NARUC, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
CCIF’s latest report is the result of a yearlong effort devoted to exploring issues related to a customer-centered transition to cleaner energy while maintaining reliable and resilient electric service at just and reasonable rates. Developed through open dialogue among state utility regulators, consumer advocates, electric companies, and their respective associations, the eleven consensus principles either acknowledge something significant to the three core groups or call for some type of action with respect to the following five subtopics:
- Evolving Roles in the Customer-Centered Clean Energy Transition
- Meeting Clean Energy Objectives by Seizing Opportunities & Managing Risks
- Facilitating Engagement with Customers & Stakeholders
- Ensuring Customer Equity & Access
- Federal/State Coordination
The report is intended to serve as a foundation for additional dialogue and collaboration among state commissions, consumer advocates, electric companies, and numerous relevant stakeholders in their states and communities—and with federal counterparts as necessary—on the customer-centered clean energy transition. Leaders from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“CCIF participants, including several NARUC member Commissioners and staff, have developed eleven thoughtful principles that provide insight into the opportunities and challenges in making the clean energy transition customer-focused as well,” said NARUC President and Virginia State Corporation Commissioner Judith Williams Jagdmann. “State commissions appreciate the ability to engage with all stakeholders in a way that better prepares us for the complex but important work to achieve our respective clean energy goals.”
“State commissions, consumer advocates, and electric companies are grappling with various degrees of uncertainty about how to most reliably and affordably transition to a cleaner energy future,” said NASUCA President and North Carolina Utilities Commission Public Staff Executive Director Chris Ayers. “While not designed to solve specific regulatory matters, the CCIF collaborative dialogue provides opportunities to learn from others to more effectively identify and manage uncertainties and, thus, better protect the consumers we serve.”
“America’s electric companies are committed to affordability and reliability as we work to get the energy we provide to customers as clean as we can as fast as we can,” said Phil Moeller, EEI Executive Vice President of the Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs. “Continued collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders, including electric companies, regulators, and consumer advocates is essential to ensuring the transition remains customer-centered as we work to achieve our clean energy and emissions reduction goals.”
The principles developed during the CCIF dialogues are not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations.
For more information and to download a copy of the new CCIF report, please visit www.CCIForum.com.
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Contact:
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 615.905.1375
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCIF Releases New Report Highlighting Approaches for Supporting Electricity Customers During COVID-19 and Beyond
WASHINGTON (July 27, 2021) – The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) today released a new report, Supporting Electricity Customers Through Times of Crisis: Being There When It Matters Most, during a virtual event with members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
The report explores a range of approaches that can be taken by states and electric companies to better identify and to better address certain residential and small business electricity customer needs before, during, and after crises, such as the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is intended to serve as a foundation for additional dialogue and collaboration among participating state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric company representatives, as well as consumers, community representatives, public assistance agencies, other government agencies and officials, and stakeholders. Leaders from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, state utility regulators have focused closely on ensuring that utility customers in need are able to access assistance,” said NARUC and Idaho Public Utilities Commission President Paul Kjellander. “The CCIF process afforded a valuable opportunity for us to engage meaningfully with consumer advocates and electric companies from across the country about approaches designed specifically to help electricity customers—whether challenged by a pandemic, other crises, or ongoing economic hardship—today and well into the future.”
“NASUCA members have collaborated throughout the pandemic to identify and address challenges faced by customers. I think customers benefit even more when we expand that effort to collaborate with state regulators and electric company representatives,” said NASUCA President and North Carolina Utilities Commission Public Staff Executive Director Chris Ayers. “Together, we can work on long-term solutions to more efficiently and proactively connect people to resources in a more timely manner.”
“Throughout the global pandemic, electric companies across the country played a critical role in keeping the lights on and providing assistance to their customers,” said Phil Moeller, EEI executive vice president of Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs. “By working collectively with NARUC and NASUCA through CCIF, we remain committed to identifying effective ways to support our customers and to ensuring they receive the safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy they need to power their lives.”
The principles and findings discussed during the CCIF dialogue are not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations.
For more information and to download a copy of the new CCIF report, please visit www.CCIForum.com.
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Contact:
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 615.905.1375
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCIF Releases New Report Featuring Consensus Principles on Energy Grid Resilience
WASHINGTON, DC (July 16, 2020) – The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) today released a new report, “Planning for the Electric System of the Future: The Path to a More Resilient Energy Grid.” The report was released at a virtual event during which participants shared their insights and takeaways from CCIF’s year-long dialogue on the important topic of energy grid resilience. CCIF is a collaborative that includes members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), who work together to develop solutions to meet customer needs.
CCIF’s latest report features 12 consensus principles on energy grid resilience developed by participants from the state commissioner, consumer advocate, and electric company communities. The report is intended to serve as a foundation for additional dialogue and collaboration among these three core groups, as well as consumers, community representatives, other government agencies and officials, emergency response personnel, and other stakeholders. Leaders from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“During times of crisis, such as the country’s present battle against COVID-19, consumers should be able to count on those of us who are expected to ensure that the energy grid is resilient against other catastrophic events that could disrupt critical electric and gas services,” said NARUC President and Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley. “The CCIF process provided an excellent opportunity for state commissioners to work with consumer advocates and energy company representatives from across the nation to make progress on these important issues.”
“As evident by our participation in the latest CCIF series, consumer advocates actively engage on energy grid resilience issues on behalf of the consumers we represent,” added NASUCA President and West Virginia Consumer Advocate Division Director Jackie Roberts. “While acknowledging that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, consumer advocates—and consumers—stand to benefit from efforts like CCIF that facilitate the sharing and constructive debate of processes and strategies to address resilience.”
“CCIF’s work supports participants in evaluating prudent investments in resilience and in identifying valuable approaches and resources for proactive and coordinated resilience planning, implementation, and performance assessment going forward,” said Phil Moeller, EEI Executive Vice President, Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs. “Now more than ever, we know that electricity and the energy grid are indispensable in our society, and ensuring that we can continue to provide consumers with a reliable and resilient supply of electricity is a responsibility that we all share.”
Through this and other efforts focused on energy grid resilience, state commissions, consumer advocates, and electric companies are preparing to tackle challenges presented by an evolving energy mix, a changing climate, and extreme weather events. The latest report builds on the consensus principles and other information on resilience from CCIF’s 2018 report, “Security & Resilience at the Distribution Level: Integrating Technologies at the Grid Edge,” and it serves as a useful framework for additional stakeholder discussion in other venues across the country.
While sharing valuable perspectives from the CCIF dialogue, the principles and other featured information within the report are not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations.
For more information and a copy of the new CCIF report, please visit www.CCIForum.com.
Contact:
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 615.905.1375
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCIF Releases New Report Featuring Consensus Principles on Electric Transportation
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (July 23, 2019) – The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) today released a new report, “Driving a Customer-Focused Energy Future: Examining Policies for Delivering Smart Mobility and Other Customer Solutions,” focused on the increasingly relevant topic of electric transportation. The report was released at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Summer Policy Summit in Indianapolis, Ind. CCIF is a collaborative that includes members of NARUC, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) who work together to develop solutions to meet customer needs.
CCIF’s latest report features 14 consensus principles on electric transportation developed by participants from the state commissioner, consumer advocate, and electric company communities, and it captures other perspectives and takeaways from CCIF’s year-long dialogue. The report is meant to serve as a foundation for additional dialogue and collaboration among these three core communities, as well as customers, third-party service providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. In addition, CCIF anticipates that the work on electric transportation will prove instructive for other customer-driven solutions, such as energy storage and microgrids. Leaders from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“The CCIF process provided an opportunity for state regulators to learn from each other, consumer advocates, and electric company representatives—as well as from commercial customers, smart community officials, electric research experts, and transit company leaders—on electric transportation, a timely topic in the regulatory arena,” said NARUC President Nick Wagner, who is an Iowa Utilities Board Member. “As customers of all sizes adopt EV technologies, state commissions serve the public interest by ensuring continued electric system reliability, engaging with stakeholders, and addressing proposals regarding EV charging infrastructure, rate design, and customer education.”
“Consumer advocates recognize the importance of engagement on electric transportation issues,” added NASUCA President and Iowa Consumer Advocate Mark Schuling. “We support customers having opportunities to participate in, and benefit from, electric transportation, provided that they are adequately protected from potential risks, costs are minimized, and rates remain affordable.”
“During the CCIF dialogues, we heard first-hand from different types of customers and customer representatives about the value of electric company engagement and assistance on electric transportation matters, particularly in the areas of charging infrastructure deployment and customer awareness and education,” said Phil Moeller, executive vice president of the Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). “Our members received the message loud and clear, and they are committed to delivering the energy solutions that their customers want.”
Driven by rapidly advancing technologies and evolving customer expectations for electric transportation, state commissions, consumer advocates, and electric companies are identifying and embracing customer-focused opportunities. The latest CCIF report is a testament to this focus on customers, and it serves as a useful framework for additional discussions of electric transportation and the related opportunities and challenges for both electric customers and the electric system.
While sharing valuable perspectives from the CCIF dialogue, the principles and other featured information within the report are not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations.
For more information and a copy of the new CCIF report, please visit www.CCIForum.com.
Contact:
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 615.905.1375
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCIF Releases New Report Focused on Smart Communities & the Value of Collaboration with State Regulators, Consumer Advocates, and Energy Companies
SAN DIEGO – July 18, 2017 – The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) today released a new report, “Connecting Communities: Smart Cities, Enabling Technologies, and the Grid,” focused on the increasing prominence of “smart communities” and what they mean for state utility regulators, consumer advocates, and energy companies. The report was released at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Summer Policy Summit in San Diego. CCIF is a collaborative that includes members of NARUC, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
This new report is the result of a yearlong effort, and it clarifies the “smart community” concept as any neighborhood, town, village, city, county, or state that is using digital technology and innovation to solve problems and benefit all citizens. It also explores the driving social forces behind smart communities. It goes on to delineate the many ways community leaders are already working with state utility regulators, consumer advocates, and energy companies to execute smart community projects, including energy-efficiency upgrades, resiliency planning, advanced metering infrastructure, weatherization, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Finally, it recognizes the need for ongoing dialogue, the potential for partnership, and a number of other opportunities and challenges with respect to smart communities.
Through open dialogue with approximately 75 state utility regulators, consumer advocates, energy companies, community leaders, and other smart community experts, this report notably highlights areas of particular relevance to CCIF’s three core groups and identifies their potential roles with respect to smart initiatives. Leaders from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“There is great potential to collaborate, advise, and partner with smart communities in ways that could result in long-term benefits for all customers,” said John W. Betkoski, III, NARUC First Vice President and Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Vice Chair. “Across the board, these projects are aimed at making communities more connected, data-driven, inclusive, mobile, sustainable, resilient and, ultimately, more livable.”
“Cities and counties operate on limited budgets, yet they’re tasked with being public service providers responsible for maintaining and improving the social, financial, and environmental well-being of their communities,” added NASUCA President and Montana Consumer Counsel Bob Nelson. “Smart community projects open the door to innovative solutions that promise to address these objectives in a way that meets the needs of communities and utility customers.”
“Smart communities leverage data and smarter energy infrastructure to create a better quality of life for citizens,” said Phil Moeller, Executive Vice President at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). “The synergies taking place between smart communities and energy companies are critical to making things like charging stations for electric vehicles and more energy efficient buildings and homes a reality.”
The report also highlights specific cities with ongoing smart community initiatives and projects including:
- Columbus, Ohio
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- San Diego, California
- Spokane, Washington
The report serves as a useful framework for additional exploration of the topic, particularly with respect to smart communities’ impact on relevant sectors of the electric power industry, their customers, and the regulatory and policy arenas.
While reflecting summit discussion among participating state utility regulators, consumer advocates, energy companies, and smart community experts, the CCIF report is not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations.
Launched in 2010, CCIF engages state commissioners, consumer advocates, and energy companies to work together to develop solutions to meet customer needs.
For more information and a copy of the new CCIF report, please visit www.CCIForum.com.
Contact:
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 615.905.1375
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCIF Releases New Report Providing Consumer-Focused Principles
Nashville, TN (July 26, 2016) – The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) today released a new report, “Consumer Solutions: Meeting Consumer Needs on all Levels,” focused on meeting consumers’ diverse energy expectations while addressing challenging but important regulatory and public policy issues. The report was released at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) 2016 Summer Committee Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee. CCIF is a collaborative that includes members of NARUC, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
The principles were developed through a series of dialogues among state commissioners, consumer advocates and energy companies. In addition to these major stakeholders, commercial customers participated in discussions to share their priority issues and related regulatory challenges and opportunities.
As reflected in this new report, these discussions shed light on specific energy needs of commercial customers and underlying corporate objectives regarding sustainability, efficiency, cost, etc. Although they had little or no prior interaction with regulators and consumer advocates, commercial customers engaged in candid and productive dialogue with CCIF participants about challenges that must be considered in the process of addressing their needs. These principles take this valuable input into account to set the stage for sustainable progress in the energy space as well as widespread consumer access and satisfaction.
This year’s report places a special emphasis on flexibility, while reinforcing and building upon earlier principles in the areas of system planning and integration of consumer resources, and consumer protection and education. Energy companies are advised to evaluate new cost-effective technologies and to pursue opportunities to meet consumer needs. Additionally, state legislators and commissioners are encouraged to consider increasing flexibility for energy companies to pursue these opportunities in order to better serve consumers, both in front of and behind the meter, provided that non-participating customers are protected.
While offering guidance and assistance, the CCIF principles are not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations. Leaders from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“Consumers more than ever are making clear that they have unique needs and preferences for energy services. Regulators and everyone in the industry has a responsibility to listen to them,” said NARUC President and Montana Public Service Commissioner, Travis Kavulla. “I’m happy to say there is broad consensus that the industry should accommodate customer preferences, even while ensuring that other customers have the choice to receive, and utilities the obligation to provide, a more basic service at just and reasonable rates.”
“The CCIF principles take into account feedback from consumers and other major stakeholders in the energy industry in order to provide guidance regarding the difficult task of meeting more customized customer needs while avoiding potential cost shifts to other consumers. In addition, the report addresses the continued importance of consumer education and protection and reinforces the overarching goal of reliable and affordable access to energy resources,” said NASUCA President and Montana Consumer Counsel, Bob Nelson.
“The electric power industry is undergoing a major transformation and we are working on innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs and expectations of our customers,” said David Owens, EEI executive vice president of business operations and regulatory affairs. “The CCIF principles represent an important collaborative effort aimed at driving the innovation and change needed to unlock the energy grid’s full potential in order to deliver value to all of our customers.”
Launched in 2010, CCIF engages state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric companies to develop mutually agreeable solutions to energy challenges.
For a copy of the new CCIF principles, please visit www.CCIForum.com.
Contact:
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 615.905.1375
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCIF Releases New Principles on the Evolving Distribution System
New York, NY (July 13, 2015) – Energy sector stakeholders increasingly are focused on policy and regulatory issues related to the evolving electric distribution system. The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) has focused on these critical issues over the past nine months and today released a new report, “The Evolving Distribution System: Helping Consumers Navigate Access to Products, Services and Technologies.” The report was released at the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC) 2015 Summer Committee Meetings in New York. CCIF is a collaborative that includes members of NARUC, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
The new report features 20 consensus principles intended to inform and better equip regulators, consumer advocates, utilities, third-party providers, consumers and other stakeholders as the distribution system changes to meet changing needs. The principles were developed through a series of discussions among approximately 65 state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric utility leaders. Topics discussed included new and evolving products, services and technologies in the electricity sector, issues related to distribution system planning and operations, as well as an increased need for consumer and lawmaker education in response to the changing grid.
While offering guidance and assistance, the CCIF principles are not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations. Leaders from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“Coast to coast, state regulators and stakeholders are working on issues regarding anticipated changes to the electric distribution system,” said NARUC President and Florida Public Service Commissioner Lisa Edgar. “CCIF provides an opportunity for state commissioners, consumer advocates, and utility representatives to share information about these complex issues. These dialogues have provided a set of principles for state leaders to consider as we all prepare for additional changes ahead.”
NASUCA President and Montana Consumer Counsel Bob Nelson added, “As the distribution system evolves and enables consumers to be more actively engaged, consumer advocates will be expected to represent increasingly diverse consumer subsets – some who would like advanced functionalities and information, some only interested in basic electric service at an affordable rate, and some reflecting all points in between. Although each jurisdiction must address the specifics about how to serve the public interest in this challenging but exciting time, the CCIF principles offer a solid foundation upon which to build, particularly as they relate to ever more critical consumer education and protection issues.”
EEI Executive Vice President of Business Operations & Regulatory Affairs David Owens commented, “The discussions facilitated by CCIF are critical to the transformation of the electric power industry and the grid. Consumers, utilities, and regulators all must have a voice in shaping the future of the grid as innovative new technologies continue to be deployed and integrated.”
Launched in 2010, CCIF engages state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric companies to develop mutually agreeable solutions to energy challenges.
For more information and a copy of the new CCIF principles, please visit www.CCIForum.com.
Contact:
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 615.905.1375
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Consumer-Focused Principles on Distributed Generation Released by CCIF
Dallas, TX (July 13, 2014) – Distributed generation (DG) and related regulatory and consumer issues are at the forefront of the energy policy debate. With this in mind, the Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) today announced its latest report, “DG: A Balanced Path Forward: Providing Customer Choice While Ensuring Reliability,” containing an updated set of consensus principles on DG that builds upon its 2013 work on this important topic. The more comprehensive principles will inform and better equip policymakers, regulators, consumer advocates, utilities, and other stakeholders for the integration of distributed technologies in a safe, fair, cost-effective, and reliable manner. CCIF is a collaborative that includes members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). The report was released ahead of NARUC’s Summer Committee Meetings in Dallas, Texas.
The updated principles were developed through a series of collaborative discussions over the past year between more than 100 leaders from the state commissioner, consumer advocate, and electric utility communities. The 34 consensus principles address the following four areas:
- Financial and Regulatory Issues
- Market Development and Deployment Issues
- Consumer Issues
- Safety, Reliability and System Planning Issues
While offering guidance and assistance, the CCIF principles on DG are not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations. Leaders from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“Distributed generation continues to be an extremely important topic that is transforming the way we think about electricity,” said Colette D. Honorable, NARUC President and Chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission. “State commissioners are proud to be a part of this important dialogue that considers consumer, utility, and other stakeholder interests, with an eye towards objectively helping address the benefits and challenges that are associated with DG. The latest CCIF report is a testament to the work of several knowledgeable and dedicated state commissioners, consumer advocates, and utility representatives who came to the table for meaningful discussions on these complex energy topics and were able to reach consensus on a number of key issues.”
Bob Nelson, NASUCA President and Montana Consumer Counsel, added, “As consumer advocates, we are cognizant of the potential benefits and very real impacts that DG has on households and businesses in all our states, which is why we appreciate the opportunity to discuss these issues with both state regulators and utility industry representatives. CCIF recognizes that any discussion related to DG must bring the consumer voice to bear. These principles provide a solid foundation upon which to construct good public policy when it comes to DG and protecting American consumers.”
EEI Executive Vice President of Business Operations David Owens commented, “The quality of the principles released today clearly demonstrates the incredible value of the collaborative discussions among all stakeholders through the CCIF process. The growth of DG is an important topic for consumers, utilities and regulators to continue to discuss, and these principles provide a critical foundation to continue the dialogue surrounding DG policies. CCIF has led this positive discussion to protect electricity customers, and we look forward to continuing to participate in the process for the foreseeable future.”
Launched in 2010, CCIF engages state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric companies to develop mutually agreeable solutions to energy challenges. For more information and a copy of the new CCIF principles, please visit www.CCIForum.com.
Contact:
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 337.656.8518
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCIF Releases Principles on Distributed Energy Resources
San Francisco, CA (Tuesday, June 11, 2013)—The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) today released a set of broad principles on distributed energy resources (DER) to serve as a framework for policymakers and other stakeholders to consider when evaluating issues related to the potential benefits and challenges of these new technologies in providing safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound service to electric consumers. CCIF is a collaborative that includes representatives from the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
Through CCIF’s unique, collaborative process, approximately 100 leaders from the state commissioner, consumer advocate, and electric utility communities participated in a series of interactive dialogues and developed 21 consensus principles in the following four areas:
- Financial and Regulatory Issues
- Market Development and Deployment Issues
- Consumer Issues
- Safety, Reliability and System Planning Issues
Representatives from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the latest CCIF initiative.
“DER is a timely topic that is extremely important for the electric power industry and all consumers – whether they invest in these technologies directly or not,” said Philip B. Jones, NARUC President and Washington Utilities and Transportation Commissioner. “CCIF has afforded the opportunity for state regulators to explore these issues and their potential implications with our colleagues representing both consumer and utility interests. As a result, I expect the principles developed to be a valuable resource not only to those of us who participated in the dialogue, but also to stakeholders across the board.”
Paula Carmody, NASUCA President and Maryland People’s Counsel, added that, “Consumer advocates welcome our involvement in a dialogue with state regulators and utility representatives on issues that have real-world implications for consumers. CCIF recognizes that consumer issues are at the forefront in energy policy debates, and in the discussions on DER in particular. Our input as consumer representatives is valued in this process, and the results of this dialogue can be useful as we work through DER-related issues at the state and national levels. Once again, the CCIF process has shown that state regulators, consumer advocates and electric utilities can find some common ground as we all try to develop a framework to address complex energy issues that may affect every household and business in our respective states.”
EEI Executive Vice President of Business Operations David Owens praised CCIF’s collaborative process saying, “The value of collaboration is evident in the quality product shared today. While our three communities face a number of challenges related to the growth of DER, the principles provide an objective framework for addressing them. Certainly, the dialogue on these issues will continue and will afford opportunities for broader participation, but CCIF has guided public policy in a positive direction, potentially benefitting electric consumers for years to come.”
Launched in 2010, CCIF engages state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric companies to develop mutually agreeable solutions to energy challenges. While offering guidance and assistance, the CCIF principles on DER are not intended to override any individual or collective policies or positions developed by NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations.
The principles were released today during EEI’s annual convention in San Francisco.
For a copy of the new CCIF principles, “Policy Considerations Related to Distributed Energy Resources,” please visit www.CCIForum.com.
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 337.656.8518
— CCIF —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENew Report Outlines Principles for Protecting Consumers, Advancing Grid Modernization
WASHINGTON (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)—The Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF), with representatives from the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and Edison Electric Institute (EEI), today issued a new report that outlines broad principles for addressing the consumer impact of modernizing the nation’s electrical grid.
The CCIF report, “Grid Modernization Issues with a Focus on Consumers,” identifies 30 principles for enabling increased investment in cost-effective grid modernization efforts, while protecting consumer interests. Seventy-four esteemed participants from the state commissioner, consumer advocate, and electric utility communities developed the consensus-based principles through a series of interactive dialogues held across the country. The issue areas and the broad focus of the principles are listed below:
- Consideration of Grid Modernization Investments—The benefits, costs, and risks of modernizing the grid to consumers and society as a whole should be thoroughly analyzed.
- Consumer Protections—Consumers should be provided timely delivery of energy usage and price data, and appropriate consumer safeguards should be retained or enhanced, particularly with respect to low-income or at-risk customers, new variable rate and service programs, remote disconnections, and pre-paid services.
- Privacy & Security—Energy information access and disclosure requirements as appropriate for consumers, utilities and their contractors, and other third parties should be addressed.
- Consumer Education & Communication—Consumers should receive accurate and complete communication of the benefits, as well as the costs and risks, of grid modernization.
- Federal-State Relations—While collaboration can be beneficial, states must retain their full regulatory authority over retail pricing and customer service matters, and federal initiatives should be informed by, but not pre-empt, state regulatory processes.
Representatives from each of the major participating organizations commented on the significance of the CCIF initiative.
“Consumer issues are at the forefront of the grid modernization effort,” said Tony Clark, NARUC President and North Dakota Public Service Commission Chairman. “And to gain a better understanding of their interests and concerns, as well as those of electric utilities, the CCIF has proven to be invaluable. The candid dialogues with utility and consumer representatives on issues of importance to their constituents back home also have added depth and perspective to the ongoing discussions NARUC continues to hold with a wide variety of federal agencies on grid modernization technologies and policy. The resulting CCIF report will be a valuable resource to NARUC Commissioners everywhere as they make the best possible decisions for consumers in modernizing the electrical grid.”
Mary J. Healey, NASUCA President and Connecticut Consumer Counsel, added that, “This collaborative process has been both unique and important. The composition and operation of the CCIF reflect the need for widespread, sustained collaboration in developing the nation’s electrical grid. Giving the consumer point-of-view equal weight in all the grid-modernization discussions will return dividends not only to the consumer, but also to electric utilities and society as a whole.”
And David K. Owens, EEI Executive Vice President of Business Operations, said, “Given the number of public and private sector initiatives aimed at addressing the issues surrounding grid modernization, the CCIF and its report bring another point of view that is both timely and valuable. Through a collaborative process, we were able to reach consensus on how to address several of the consumer issues that have been a challenge in moving grid modernization forward. In acting on our principles, state utility regulators, consumer advocates, and electric utilities will be able to create a path forward that both protects consumer interests and encourages cost-effective grid modernization investment.”
Launched in 2010 by a few key state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric utility representatives, the Critical Consumer Issues Forum brings state commissioners, consumer advocates, and utility service providers together to address consumer-related energy policy issues through highly interactive discourse and debate. While offering guidance and assistance, the CCIF grid modernization principles are not intended to override any individual or collective policies or positions developed by NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations.
For a copy of the new CCIF report, “Grid Modernization Issues with a Focus on Consumers,” please visit www.CriticalConsumerIssuesForum.com.
Katrina McMurrian, Executive Director
Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF)
Phone: 337.656.8518
— CCIF —