LPPC’s Post-Election Forum Convenes Policymakers and Public Power Leaders to Address Rapidly Growing Demand for Electricity
Infrastructure financing, practical plans for clean energy, and permitting reform top the agenda
Washington, DC (December 17, 2024) – Leaders of America’s largest public power utilities gathered in Washington, DC, for LPPC’s Post-Election Forum to advance policy to meet rapidly growing demand for electricity. Lawmakers and thought leaders, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), Rep. Ferguson (GA-3), and Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50), joined LPPC to share their perspectives.
“LPPC is ready to work with the new Trump administration and Congress to supply American communities with reliable and affordable electric power,” said Tom Falcone, President-Elect of LPPC, to members attending the organization’s Post-Election Forum. “Utilities power America’s economic progress. To be world leaders in AI, advanced manufacturing, and electrification, our country needs significant investments in electric infrastructure. According to NERC, large portions of the country are already at high or elevated risk of electricity shortfalls within five years. Without urgent action in Washington, demand for electricity will continue outpacing supply, threatening jobs and investment. Lawmakers and regulators must urgently address issues such as permitting reform and the EPA’s power plant rule.”
Discussions at the event emphasized that LPPC’s top three policy priorities are vital to meeting rapidly growing electric demand and powering America’s economic growth:
- Affordable financing allows public power utilities to build the infrastructure our communities need. Maintaining access to tax-exempt financing and elective pay tax credits and updating private use regulations mean more investment, lower electric rates, and more of the energy our electric customers use to create jobs.
- Revising EPA’s Power Plant CO2 Rule to achieve practical plans for clean energy, reliability, and affordability. With rapidly growing demand, our country is struggling to build electric infrastructure fast enough. The rule’s timelines make compliance impractical given its reliance on nascent technology and supply chains. With more flexibility, we can meet the energy needs of our communities and reduce carbon emissions.
- Reform federal and state licensing and permitting to meet America’s growing energy needs. Streamlining permitting and licensing speeds up projects, reduces cost, and allows electric utilities to supply the energy our customers use to grow their businesses and power our communities.
“Now is a pivotal time for utilities,” said Javier Fernandez, Vice Chair of LPPC and CEO and President of Omaha Public Power District in Nebraska. “Between load growth, commitments to decarbonization, aging infrastructure, and changing climate conditions, utilities are working extra hard to keep the lights on. To meet America’s growing power demand, we need regulatory certainty built on a sustainable, long-term framework.”
“Florida’s unique geography places constraints on our generation mix,” said Vickie Cavey, CEO of JEA. “As we’re about to invest in new generation assets, limits on load factors and regulatory requirements on untested technology creates uncertainty for our customers and the communities we serve. We’re optimistic for regulatory opportunities on the horizon.”
“LPPC’s Post-Election Forum was important because it brought together the largest public power utilities from across the country to discuss the challenges we’re all facing related to energy demand and growth,” said Rudy D. Garza, President & CEO of CPS Energy. “Politics drives policy, and we’re thankful to the elected officials who will be working with us to serve our communities with reliable, affordable power now and into the future.”
LPPC is the voice of large public power in Washington, DC. LPPC’s 29 members are among the nation's largest not-for-profit public power utilities, owned by and accountable to the communities they serve. From rural towns in Nebraska and Oklahoma to major cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles, many of the nation’s growing communities count on LPPC members for a steady supply of reliable and affordable energy. Together, LPPC members provide power to over 30.5 million Americans in 22 states and Puerto Rico and own more than 80,000 megawatts of generation capacity and over 40,000 circuit miles of high-voltage transmission lines.
