NARUC Task Force releases two publications to help PUCs improve energy system resilience in face of emergencies

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Emergency Preparedness, Recovery, and Resiliency Task Force released two publications this week that include recommended actions to public utility commissions to improve energy systems resilience during disruptive events.

Disruptive events refer to major issues — emergencies, disasters, or even pandemics, like COVID-19. The ongoing pandemic dominated one of the resources: the final report on COVID-19 Lessons Learned from the Ongoing Response to the COVID-19 Crisis. A separate report, called the “Federal Funding Opportunities Guidebook,” provided eight priority federal funding opportunities and important takeaways for state utility regulators concerning those opportunities and their requirements.

“This guidebook provides state regulators with a foundational understanding of the various federal funding opportunities available to states in the event of a major disaster,” Brandon Presley, chair of the FFOCS Subcommittee and Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, said. “Additionally, there are several federal assistance programs that allow for investments to enhance energy resilience in our states. It is critical that state public utility commissioners be aware of these types of federal funding outlets and encourage their states to pursue investments that ensure reliable and efficient essential utility services.”

The guidebook is meant as a reference for NARUC members to encourage fellow state agencies and regulated utilities to pursue available federal funding during disaster response and hazard mitigation efforts. Meanwhile, the report on COVID-19 was meant for state commissions, offering key lessons learned throughout the pandemic, be it from the workforce, changes in business practices, impacts on low- to moderate-income customers, regulatory responses, utility financial responses to COVID-19, and more.

Both were released at NARUC’s 133rd Annual Meeting and Education Conference in Louisville.