Connecticut PURA, NARUC
Michael Caron is President of NARUC and a Commissioner for the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
In discussions with ten Commissioners from every end of the country, PUF's Paul Kjellander in late July asked about what's driving the energy transition in their states, their state's policies, barriers for the transition to overcome, and risks, also the role of consumer-owned energy.
PUF's Paul Kjellander: What do you see as the primary reasons driving the energy transition for utilities in the State of Connecticut?
Commissioner Michael Caron: There's a question of whether this is a transition or is it really an evolution? While it's a subtle distinction, I think it's important.
Transition suggests that this is going to happen, and somebody has an idea how this is going to happen. Evolution is more organic, and it follows the path to least resistance, and that may be based upon technologies. We had our NARUC theme for the past three years of Connecting the Dots, find the least-cost way and the shortest way to the next dot, and make sure that it works for you.
I find it more of an evolution and would prefer that people see the move toward clean energy as an evolution. That it's not necessarily a top-down transition in any way. Those tend to crash and burn ultimately. It's better if you find support, it creates its own momentum, and moves along.