CUB of Wisconsin was happy to host consumer advocates from California to New England at the summer meeting of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates in June.
The event provided advocates from around the country a chance to share insights on emerging issues. The conference featured speakers and panelists discussing everything from data centers and their impact on demand for power in the years ahead, as well as new decisions from federal energy regulators aimed at expanding the interstate “highway system” of high-voltage power lines.
Other panelists talked about important consumer protections needed for utility customers hard hit by extreme weather conditions, such as increasingly hot temperatures affecting customers in states.
CUB has benefited from the insights and innovative ideas provided by fellow members of NASUCA over the years, and this year’s conference provided an opportunity to showcase how CUB has helped other consumer advocate offices in recent years.
Kristy Nieto, who was appointed PSC commissioner in Wisconsin this year by Gov. Tony Evers, welcomed consumer advocates to Madison and praised the role that CUB and other consumer
advocates play in ensuring that utility regulation is fair, utility service is affordable and that consumer protection is top of mind for regulators.
During a reception overlooking Lake Monona at the Monona Terrace Convention Center, CUB experts Corey Singletary and Steve Kihm received service awards for their contributions to the national organization.
Corey, CUB director of regulatory affairs, was honored for his work co-chairing the NASUCA electricity committee and for his willingness to participate as a speaker at trainings and conferences, including the Critical Consumer Issues Forum annual dialogue.
Steve, CUB regulatory strategist-economics and finance, was honored for his years of work educating and advocating for NASUCA member offices as well as leading trainings on finance and return on equity for NASUCA members.
The awards were presented by Michael Moody, NASUCA president and the assistant attorney general in Michigan’s special litigation unit, the office that handles consumer advocate work for Michiganders.
CUB, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, is the only nonprofit group serving on the NASUCA executive committee. Tom Content, CUB executive director, joined the executive committee in 2022 and is currently serving as NASUCA’s vice president.
Learn more about the voice of consumer advocates and hot topics covered at the NASUCA meeting by listening or viewing this episode of the Customers First Coalition’s Electric Wire podcast.
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