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Fortnightly Magazine - February 2026

The Work We Share

Connection, collaboration, regulation

I keep thinking about how often people say our industry struggles to tell its own story. Utility regulation is more complex and more consequential than ever, and when we get deep into the details, it’s easy to forget that there are real people behind every decision. And more often than not, we’re all working toward the same broader outcomes.
Byline: 

Rachel Bryant

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A Day at the District of Columbia PSC

Unique conversations

Conversations with Chair Emile Thompson, Commissioner Ted Trabue, General Counsel Dionne Joemah, Deputy Executive Director Paul Martinez, Strategic Communications Director Kellie Didigu, OTRA Director Poorani Ramachandran, and Consumer Outreach Officer Karimah Bilal.
Byline: 

PUF

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DC PSC: Emile Thompson

Chair

“What is the purpose? Reliable, affordable, and sustainable. Why are we doing it? We’re doing it for the people in the District of Columbia. To what end? To move the District’s goals forward. That’s progress.”
Byline: 

Emile Thompson

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DC PSC: Ted Trabue

Commissioner

“The city council passed emergency legislation to say whoever the next nominee is with the Commission must have some level of expertise in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and utilities. I told the mayor I’d be willing to serve.”
Byline: 

Ted Trabue

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DC PSC: Dionne Joemah

General Counsel

“As we pursue the mission of the PSC to ensure safe and reliable utility services at reasonable rates, we take into account the political and legislative considerations, as well as precedent. Our goal is to ensure an order is appellate proof as best we can.”
Byline: 

Dionne Joemah

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DC PSC: Paul Martinez

Deputy Executive Director

“A lot of Commissions have a system for docketing and the name we came up with is eDocket. This is an internal system that streamlines and automates all of our case-related tasks. It’s a workflow, with built-in notifications, collaboration tools, and much more.”
Byline: 

Paul Martinez

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DC PSC: Kellie Didigu

Strategic Communications Director

“When I started, we were talking about advanced metering infrastructure and piloting smart meters. Now, we’re talking about virtual power plants and microgrids. Watching that transformation and helping communicate it in a way people can grasp has been exciting.”
Byline: 

Kellie Didigu

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DC PSC: Poorani Ramachandran

OTRA Director

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia’s annual theme is Purpose, Progress and People as it is guiding new approaches to regulation, community engagement, employee culture, and technology. It is a mission-driven, diverse workforce aimed at modernizing everything energy related in the District.

Byline: 

Poorani Ramachandran

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DC PSC: Karimah Bilal

Consumer Outreach Officer

“I ensure that consumers understand the importance of their voice in decisions that affect their utilities. It still surprises me every day how much we’re able to help and how grateful people are once they have the information they need.”
Byline: 

Karimah Bilal

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Setting the Agenda for Utility Regulation in 2026

NARUC Committees

PUF’s Paul Kjellander discussed what regulators will find at NARUC in February with President Ann Rendahl and the Chairs of four Committees: Committee on Water with New Jersey Commissioner Michael Bange, Committee on Gas with Pennsylvania Chair Steve DeFrank, Committee on Electricity with Idaho Chair John Hammond, and Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment with Florida Commissioner Mike La Rosa.
Byline: 

PUF

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