We talked with NARUC President, Commissioner Rob Powelson
Commissioner Powelson was installed as the 128th president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners in November 2016. He serves as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission. He was Chairman of the Pennsylvania PUC from 2011 to 2015. As NARUC president, Powelson's duties include providing general oversight of the Association; serving as NARUC's primary voice; and representing NARUC before Congress, the courts and administrative agencies. His theme for this coming year is Infrastructure, Innovation, and Investment: Driving the Future of Regulation. This PUF interview took place before the February 2017 NARUC meeting in Washington, D.C.
PUF's Steve Mitnick: Commissioner, it must be exciting to be taking the reins of NARUC. What are your top priorities
or initiatives?
Commissioner Rob Powelson: I have an agenda that addresses infrastructure and innovation both in front of and behind the meter. I've also rolled out the concept of investment.
We talk about investment in the workforce, and the human capital aspect of the utility world. I think the infrastructure piece is one that dovetails with the President's desire to see a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill.
When we talk about infrastructure investment, most people talk in terms of the intermodal investment. That includes roads, bridges, ports, networks, and rail systems.