Distribution Marketplace Forum Provides a Venue for LPCs
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Going into the Distribution Marketplace Forum November 3-4 the planning team for the event hoped to achieve several objectives:- Bring together leaders from the Valley’s 155 local power companies...Check
- Increase the awareness and understanding around the changes occurring in the industry...Check
- Create an agenda with meaningful topics that drive conversation...Check
- Lay the foundation for ongoing discussions and planning around this important issue...Check
Keynote speakers for the event included Ken Black, E Source, who shared national and regional perspectives; Ken Moore, mayor of the City of Franklin, TN, who highlighted the city’s long-term sustainability goals; Greg Starheim from the National Rural Utilities Corporative Finance Corporation who shared some details about what utilities outside the Valley are doing to address the changing marketplace as well as how the finance sector is adjusting; and Bill LeBlanc with E Source, who closed out the forum with the appropriate topic ‘Where do we go from here?’.
Black, who shared demographic information on the changing face of utility customers, also talked about the increased competition that TVA and local power companies are facing. "All of these other competing companies are out there," said Black. "They see this $300-$400 billion pie, and they want a piece of this pie."
He went on to state that stronger relationships are key to the industry, calling for TVA and local power companies to increase their investment in education, outreach and awareness.
"The operating model we’ve had all these years is changing," Cindy Herron, vice president for TVA EnergyRight and Renewable Solutions, told the assembled audience. "More people are embracing being energy efficient and we have to make sure that we understand and are prepared for this change. These changes are going to impact LPCs at a much different level than TVA."
"We’ve operated in the traditional industry model our entire careers, and now people have these new technologies that they’re putting in their homes and businesses that we’re not even aware of," said Jay Stowe, president and CEO of Huntsville (AL) Utilities. "We must get outside of the box we’re used to operating in so that we can prepare ourselves and protect our revenues. We cannot afford to get caught looking backward."
Initial survey feedback from attendees indicates the quality of the speakers, opportunities for peer-to-peer interaction and the breakout sessions were popular features at the Forum. A TVA Online Connection page has been set up to allow LPCs a place to continue the collaboration on industry changes that began at the Forum.
Local power companies and TVA will continue to discuss marketplace changes and strategies during a variety of interactions in the weeks and months ahead. We welcome your ideas for how you would like to continue the conversation on the changing marketplace and encourage you to share those ideas with your TVA customer service manager or Teresa Ashworth (tgashworth@tva.gov).
