Where are the Smart States?
Cities Seem to be Getting All the Limelight
Fiber to traffic lights will be as important as fiber to the home. States can do much to accelerate communications infrastructure for the necessary connectivity.
The States
Ohio PUC: John Williams
Service Monitoring and Enforcement
“We act as a window into the PUCO; folks can call here if they’re having problems communicating with their utility company or resolving a dispute.”
Ohio PUC: Tammy Turkenton
Director, Rates and Analysis Department
“In a distribution rate case, it wouldn’t be unusual for 15 to 20 people to work on a particular case.”
Ohio PUC: Kristina Schaefer
Chief, Grid Modernization and Security
“A big part of PowerForward is setting a holistic policy for grid modernization, so that potential benefits aren’t being left on the table.”
Ohio PUC, Hisham Choueiki
Federal Energy Advocate
“The biggest challenge is explaining highly technical matters to policy/decision makers.”
Ohio PUC: Bethany Allen
Chief Commission Aide
“I present a thorough review to the chairman that highlights decision points, provides recommendations.”
Ohio PUC: Tom Johnson
Commissioner
“We know that when a manufacturer or industry is looking at a location, they’re considering what the energy rates are.”
Ohio PUC: Larry Friedeman
Commissioner
“With PowerForward, it was an opportunity to put a bit of a fingerprint on the energy industry.”
Ohio PUC: Dan Conway
Commissioner
“We want to provide a more efficient, robust, and opportunity-rich infrastructure here, particularly on the electricity side.”
Ohio PUC: Beth Trombold
Vice-Chair
“The main purpose of PowerForward is to put together guidelines to move the state in the same direction as opposed to a lot of different directions.”