Unique conversations
Dick Garlish is the President of Rocky Mountain Power. Paul Kjellander is PUF Senior Advisor and former Idaho PUC Chair.
Financial liability can be massive with wildfires and must be considered in an era of increased electric demand that also emphasizes affordability. As these big issues surrounding wildfires are raging, PUF spoke with four leaders on this important topic: Puget Sound Energy CEO Mary Kipp, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Chair Leo Asuncion, Pacific Power President Ryan Flynn, and Rocky Mountain Power President Dick Garlish.
PUF's Paul Kjellander: What do you see as the drivers and focus that have centralized around wildfire?
Dick Garlish: Utilities are under a lot of stress. Contributing factors include federal and state regulations, along with rate pressures and unprecedented customer demand — for example, the needs of AI data centers. This all puts upward pressure on rates, while challenging the reliable delivery of service.
When you throw in the threat of wildfire and its increasing volume, density, and intensity, it's staggering. All of wildfire's complex factors together are driving our challenges, from financial, regulatory, and operational perspectives. This is impacting customers in terms of rates and the quality and reliability of service.