Is the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) a Tool or an Impediment? with Jeff Ackerman, Former Chair, CO PUC

When: November 19, 6pm

Where: Virtual

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• Should a utility be required to provide a basic amount of electricity to low-income customers at cost?
• Is the high level of financial return allowed to an investor-owned utility justified by its low level of business risk?
• How might consumers and the environment benefit from an update and clarification from the legislature of the definition of “public interest” that guides the PUC?
• How much influence do ordinary non-expert citizens have at the PUC?  What is helpful for the commissioners to hear? How should one prepare?

Learn the answers to these questions and more from Jeff Ackermann, who has been in the service of Colorado energy consumers for over four decades. Mr. Ackermann is best known for his tenure (2017-2020) as chair of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission when he presided over the transition away from fossil-fuel dominant electric resource planning and toward new planning efforts concerning the distribution system and vehicle charging. He also presided over major later portions of the Boulder Municipalization proceedings. Prior to his service as chair, also served at the PUC as an advisor and chief policy advisor to the commissioners (2007-2013).

Mr. Ackermann now works part-time at the Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) at Colorado State University, advising state legislators, utility commissioners and governor’s offices on clean energy policy. He is also a senior fellow at Gridworks and board chairman at the Alliance for Collective Action.