Conversations with Hawaii PUC Chair Leo Asuncion and the State’s Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick.

“We’re at a place where there’s a lot of focus on the PUC. There is a healthy conversation coming about not being able to have everything and realizing that by relying on your PUC to achieve the balance among these competing priorities, there are going to be disappointments.”

“Our utilities are committed to fostering economic development across the nation, but we need federal policies and regulations that provide the necessary support and flexibility to make it possible.”

Societies can sail in calm waters, that suddenly become unforgiving and then come back later but to a different calm. Which is good advice for all those across the utilities industry feeling rather buffeted by the present winds of change. We are all adjusting and tuning strategies to continue to carry out our central mission to serve the public interest.

Electric rate inflation has come in at one tenth of a percent less than the CPI increase in the last two years. Of course, electric rate inflation two years earlier was a setback for American households. It was 14.3 percent, while the CPI increase was 6.5 percent.

“Timely, cost-effective deployment of new technologies to secure the grid and enhance resilience are also essential because disruptions can be hugely costly.”

“In recent years, PGE has secured and contracted major grant support and tax credits that accelerate the pace of deployment and lower the cost of new technologies and renewable energy projects – savings that are directly passed on to customers.”

“You must manage the company while effectively working with regulators, not just to meet investors’ demands for the quarter, but to also meet the long-term needs of customers.”

Energy was generally more affordable for U.S. households in 2024 than anytime in recent memory, when averaged nationally. Of course, for individual households, energy affordability varies immensely.