Site Visits Hosted by NARUC
Kiera Zitelman is a Technical Director for the Center for the NARUC Center for Partnerships & Innovation, where she manages cooperative agreements with the U.S. Department of Energy on nuclear energy, coal-fired power, natural gas distribution, and microgrids. She develops technical assistance for state Commissions across these topical areas, developing webinars, briefing papers, trainings, workshops, tours, and other resources.
Taylor Fitzgerald is a Communications Coordinator for the NARUC Center for Partnerships & Innovation, where she develops and executes outreach strategies to enhance the visibility of essential resources, training, and other activities that assist state Commissions contending with complex current and emerging issues.
Public Utility Commissioners are frequently responsible for addressing complex issues that require technical understanding of a wide variety of current and emerging utility technologies and planning processes. Maintaining a working knowledge of key utility topics helps Commissioners ensure that their regulations are well-informed and effective for both utilities and stakeholders, such as the communities that rely on utility services.
Hands-on experiences offer an impactful vehicle for Commissioners to expand their understanding of cutting-edge technologies and methods shaping the utility sector. These opportunities include visits to energy research and production sites, where participants can learn directly from on-the-ground experts and operators.
The National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC) Center for Partnerships & Innovation (CPI) works to support PUCs’ knowledge of important energy topics by hosting multiple site visits every year to a range of locations. Sites and technologies are selected by NARUC in consultation with state members and funders.
NARUC Staff work with in-state Commissioners and Commission Staff, utilities, research organizations, and other stakeholders to develop detailed agendas that help members develop their understanding during tours.