In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the transparency and accountability of utility companies regarding energy losses and their impact on ratepayers. Attorney Will emphasized the need for clear reporting on energy losses, stating that consumers deserve to know what they are paying for, especially when it comes to energy that is not delivered. He pointed out that while losses are an inherent cost of doing business, the current scorecard system lacks sufficient transparency compared to other utilities that track losses in gas and water.
The conversation highlighted a distinction between metrics and scorecards, with some participants advocating for a scorecard that includes targets to measure performance over time. Attorney Will argued that understanding trends in energy losses is crucial, particularly as electrification increases, which may lead to higher losses. He expressed a desire for the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) to be involved in discussions about how these losses are managed and reported.
Participants debated whether the inclusion of targets in the scorecard would drive better performance or simply serve as a point of comparison. Some argued that targets could imply a goal, while others maintained that they should merely provide context for understanding data trends. The meeting also touched on the potential for comparing utility performance against peer companies to gain a clearer picture of operational efficiency.
As the meeting progressed, the need for clarity in the definitions and implications of scorecards and metrics became apparent. Participants called for a more structured approach to setting targets and measuring performance, suggesting that this could lead to improved outcomes for consumers and better resource allocation by utility companies. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenge of balancing operational realities with the expectations of ratepayers for transparency and accountability in utility services.