Five Tips for Utility Regulators: Staying on Course through the COVID-19 Storm

This guide by RMI provides five strategic tips for utility regulators to maintain progress on long-term climate and energy goals during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the use of virtual technology and the prioritization of decarbonization efforts.

• Utility regulators should avoid postponing key proceedings to unspecified dates, as delays in reducing emissions and reforming business models would have "lasting consequences" given the urgency of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Instead, commissions should maintain "steady, unswerving progress" by transparently revising timelines or altering processes.
• Adopting video-conferencing for hearings and workshops is an "eminently workable solution" to maintain stakeholder engagement. Virtual events can increase inclusivity by reducing costs related to "travel, lodging, and meals," though regulators must ensure those without broadband can participate via telephone and receive materials beforehand.
• Effective remote meetings require specific adaptations rather than simply importing in-person formats. Recommendations include balancing participation with structure, breaking long sessions into shorter ones to accommodate domestic responsibilities, building in social interaction through icebreakers, and implementing security measures like password-protecting materials to "protect your online space."
• Regulators should prioritize proceedings essential for meeting emissions-reduction targets, specifically those involving "beneficial electrification, coal-asset retirement, and resource planning." High priority should also be given to projects in the clean energy and energy efficiency sectors to stimulate economic recovery and prevent "additional business closures and employee layoffs."
• The pandemic serves as a turning point to address structural vulnerabilities in utility systems. Regulators are encouraged to consider "revenue decoupling and other performance-based regulation tools" to handle potential surges in rate case applications resulting from reduced electricity sales.

APA

RMI (2020). Five Tips for Utility Regulators: Staying on Course through the COVID-19 Storm. https://rmi.org/resources/five-tips-for-regulators-staying-on-course-through-the-covid-19-storm/

Chicago

RMI. Five Tips for Utility Regulators: Staying on Course through the COVID-19 Storm. 2020. https://rmi.org/resources/five-tips-for-regulators-staying-on-course-through-the-covid-19-storm/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Five Tips for Utility Regulators: Staying on Course through the COVID-19 Storm |date=20 May 2020 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/five-tips-for-regulators-staying-on-course-through-the-covid-19-storm/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2020five, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Five Tips for Utility Regulators: Staying on Course through the COVID-19 Storm}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2020}, month = may, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/five-tips-for-regulators-staying-on-course-through-the-covid-19-storm/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }