Statehouse to Substation
Rachel Bryant is the Executive Editor of Public Utilities Fortnightly.
I used to spend a lot of time thinking about the upper basin during my days as a regional attorney for WAPA. Managing the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) Management Center meant I was always on the lookout for water level fluctuations at our hydroelectric facilities. Whether it is agricultural viability or recreation at Lake Powell, the water tells a story of regional stability.
On a much smaller scale, my kids just want to know if lakes will be high enough for them to go for a swim this summer. This experience makes me very aware of the stakes as we navigate this historic dry spell. I find myself especially grateful for my utility, Xcel Energy, and the teams across the country working so hard for wildfire resilience.
This issue brings together three different groups of leaders to look at the hurdles we are all facing from a few different angles. We start with the operator view by spending a day at Xcel Energy’s new T3 headquarters in Denver. Xcel Energy — Colorado President Robert Kenney explained their culture of “living in the and.” That is the work of providing clean, reliable energy while keeping customer bills fair. They are even using AI-powered cameras to spot smoke before the human eye can.