Ceres Releases Report Proposing New 21st Century Electric Utility Model Aligned with Clean Energy Goals

As regulators, industry representatives and advocates discuss power sector challenges at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ (NARUC) annual meeting, Ceres today releases a report outlining a pathway to align the electric utility business model with increased clean energy deployment and long-term financial viability amid growing climate change concerns.  The rapid pace of technological change, falling renewable energy prices, increased energy efficiency, and policymaker focus on low-carbon energy and customer choice are increasingly challenging the traditional utility business model – yet as the report lays out, there are win-win solutions.

Commissioned by Ceres and authored by electric utility expert and investment banker Peter Kind, Pathway to a 21st Century Electric Utility Model proposes a vision for accelerating the transition to a reformed electric system that benefits all stakeholders, including customers, competitive third party providers (e.g.. companies deploying rooftop solar), policymakers, utilities and their investors.

“Our current path is not leading us toward a 21st century utility that provides safe, reliable and affordable energy, and meets the needs of customers, society and utility investors.  We need a pathway that incentivizes the right choices for both more efficient use of clean energy and the deployment of capital,” said Peter Kind, executive director of Energy Infrastructure Advocates LLC, who also authored the 2013 Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Paper:  Disruptive Challenges: Financial Implications and Strategic Responses to a Changing Retail Electric Business.




Read more at Ceres Releases Report Proposing New 21st Century Electric Utility Model Aligned with Clean Energy Goals