ICC Commissioner Oliva added to NARUC task force on emergency preparedness

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) gained a new member for its Presidential Task Force on Emergency Preparedness, Recovery and Resiliency last week, with the appointment of Illinois Commerce Commissioner (ICC) Sadzi Martha Oliva.

Oliva was appointed to the role by NARUC president Brandon Presley. In that role she and fellow task force members will focus on conducting research and education efforts on federal funding meant to support recovery efforts; aid member preparations for events that could disrupt critical infrastructure in multiple regions for long periods — also known as Black Sky events; build consensus on construction standards for Federal Emergency Management Agency recovery efforts; and teach best practices and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These are very challenging times, and energy consumers across our nation need assurance that critical utility services will be available or quickly restored when a catastrophe strikes,” Oliva said. “It benefits us all to share information and best practices on coping with emergencies and developing plans to build a more resilient energy infrastructure. I am proud to have been chosen to serve on this important task force.”

The ICC was among those organizations to move quickly at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing moratoriums on both utility disconnections and late payment fees. Even after those moratoriums expire, updates approved by that commission will see greater protections for consumers driven by more flexible credit and collection practices.

NARUC’s latest task force was formed earlier this month. It held its first meeting last week.