Osiene-Riggs Highlights Utility Broadband in National Energy Conference
UTC President and CEO Sheryl Osiene-Riggs discussed the multiple ways in which electric utilities can empower broadband deployment in a presentation last week.
Speaking during the U.S. Energy Association’s annual State of the Energy Industry event on Jan. 28, Ms. Osiene-Riggs also thanked energy and utility crews across the country for working to keep the lights on and water flowing during such challenging circumstances.
She pledged UTC’s support to work with the other energy organizations represented at the USEA event to ensure that utility crews are among the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues at this conference to support any and all efforts aimed at ensuring that energy and utility workers are among the first to get the COVID-19 vaccines,” she said. “I know this is a top priority for everyone listening, so please know that UTC is with you as well.”
Regarding broadband, Ms. Osiene-Riggs highlighted utility efforts across the country to help connect all Americans to the internet. She noted that all utility types, from public power and electric cooperatives to investor-owned utilities (IOUs), can play a role.
She noted specific programs in Virginia, West Virginia, and elsewhere in which IOUs have established middle-mile programs to help smaller entities bring broadband services to unserved areas.
“Because utilities are investing in grid modernization technologies such as fiber and other communications infrastructure, hundreds of all kinds are also leveraging these investments to provide broadband services,” she said.
USEA is a Washington-based advocacy association representing energy providers of all kinds. Their State of the Energy Industry event is one of the first major energy conferences of the year and is highly attended by policymakers, regulators, and media.
Please contact the UTC Public Policy Team with any questions.
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