Experts from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) — the only U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory dedicated to fossil energy research — will offer research input when the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) holds its Winter Policy Summit in the Nation’s Capital today through Wednesday to consider potential policy initiatives.

NETL Director Brian Anderson, Ph.D., said participation in external events like the NARUC Winter Summit is important for the Laboratory because it offers the opportunity to provide important data and research results to individuals who can use that information to develop policy in the energy arena.

“NETL is privileged to be a part of this event because the Summit draws national experts and policymakers to a forum that upholds the tenets of serving the public interest with safe, reliable, and affordable service,” Anderson said. “NARUC members and their staffs are focused on learning and sharing best practices, ensuring that the important role of state regulators is understood and appreciated on the national stage, and advancing key resolutions that will influence policy. NETL has much to offer in support of that mission.”

NETL has a productive history with NARUC. For example, in December 2018, NARUC released a report that examined the state of national carbon issues called “Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Technology and Policy Status and Opportunities.” The report was developed by NARUC’s Center for Partnerships & Innovation with key contributions from NETL researchers.

The goal of the report, which is part of the NARUC/DOE Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilization Partnership, was to advise state regulators on current CCUS policies and technologies along with actions that could bring about more CCUS projects and to improve state regulators' knowledge of CCUS, particularly as it applies to the energy industry.

NETL’s Tom Sarkus of the Laboratory’s Industrial Partnerships group, and Venkat Venkataraman of the Advanced Energy Systems team, who both assisted with the NARUC report, will lead the NETL delegation at this week’s NARUC Winter Summit.

Tim Fout of NETL’s Energy Process Analysis team, and Anthony Zinn of the Lab’s Advanced Technology Integration and Demonstration team, will be presenters during the NARUC Staff Subcommittee on Clean Coal and Carbon Management. Fout will brief NARUC on the levelized cost of electricity for bituminous coal-fired power plants including CCUS. Zinn will present a coal beneficiation research and development program overview.

DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy will be a special exhibitor at the Summit.

Founded in 1889, NARUC is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing state public service commissions that regulate utilities that provide services related to energy, telecommunications, power, water and transportation.

NARUC's members come from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Most state commissioners are appointed to their positions by their governor or legislature, while commissioners in 14 states are elected.

The mission of the organization is to serve in the public interest by improving the quality and effectiveness of public utility regulation. NARUC members ensure the establishment and maintenance of utility services at rates and conditions that are fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory for all consumers.

NETL’s mission is to discover, integrate, and mature technology solutions to enhance the nation’s energy foundation and protect the environment for future generations.