As New York utility customers seek out the sophisticated products and services that fast-moving technology makes possible, our state has begun a candid public discussion about the future of our electrical system.
That conversation took a step forward Monday when New York Energy Week got off to a successful start at Con Edison’s headquarters in Manhattan.
I had the privilege of participating in an enlightening discussion of the state’s Reforming Energy Vision plan – or REV – with six respected professionals.
REV is the New York State Public Service Commission’s plan to transform the way electricity is distributed and used. PSC Chairwoman Audrey Zibelman was on our panel and brought insights and expertise gained from her service in the public, private and nonprofit electricity sectors.
Con Edison, a “terawatt” sponsor of Energy Week, wants to provide input for the important conversation and deliberation that Chairwoman Zibelman will lead in the coming months.
As the utility that serves the world’s greatest city, we believe we have a unique perspective on creating an electrical system that will best serve customers, strengthen our state’s economy and keep our environment clean.
We have appointed our own Utility of the Future team to evaluate potential opportunities and advocate sound policies. The group has a scope similar to the team we formed that led to restructuring in the late 1990s.
Con Edison was also among the companies and organizations that produced a report called “Creating a 21st Century Electricity System for New York State” as a guide for utilities, policymakers and customers in building New York’s energy future.
It is clear that residential and business customers want more energy management options, including energy efficiency, tools to manage their usage and to more clean energy choices.
Customers want us to make it easy for them to integrate distributed generation and demand side management. With severe storms and heat waves becoming more frequent and destructive, they are looking for highly reliable and resilient service.
The REV proceeding gives Con Edison a chance to build on many of the services we already offer for customers. As I said during our discussion on Monday, we have had energy efficiency initiatives since the 1970s.
More than 200,000 customers have taken advantage of $150 million in energy-efficiency incentives to upgrade equipment and appliances the past five years. These projects have helped keep more than 250,000 tons of carbon out of the atmosphere.
And we have been trying to make it easier for our customers to choose distributed generation and to participate in demand response programs.
We are optimistic that New Yorkers can have even more of the options they want to help them run their households and businesses.
This will require a modernized grid. The next generation of the grid must be highly interactive and able to accommodate two-way flows of electricity as well as the increased load that electric vehicles will bring.
This carefully designed grid will help all customers, regardless of whether they choose to participate in programs. We must encourage those who participate in programs when their participation helps us provide reliable service for everyone.
We need a regulatory system that recognizes the significant value the grid brings. Utilities must be able to recover the costs embedded in the grid in order to have long-term financial health.
Our regulatory system must encourage efficient investment in technologies and allow customers to get the information they need to manage their usage.
Con Edison chose to be a top sponsor of New York Energy Week because we believe it provides an invaluable opportunity for us to have a give and take with top experts about our state’s energy opportunities and challenges.
Other panel topics this week include energy efficiency, solar energy and energy data. They are all important, as we build a system that will be a big part of New York’s future prosperity.
John McAvoy is chairman, president and CEO of Consolidated Edison Inc.
