 To ramp up for the next decade of energy efficiency momentum and to help NEEA continue to be a nimble organization to respond to changes in the market rapidly, NEEA recently revamped its governance structure. Craig Smith, assistant general manager, Customer and Corporate Services at Snohomish County PUD in Everett, Washington was elected as the new chairman of the board of directors.
We chatted with Craig about about his priorities and to get his perspective of what value NEEA brings to the region and to northwest utilities.
Smith joined the Snohomish PUD in 1998 and has more than 25 years of related experience in the electric industry. Among his previous employers are the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Michigan Public Service Commission and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. He is married with two grown daughters.
As board chairman what are your priorities?
With Margie Gardner’s announcement that she is leaving NEEA, obviously one of the most pressing priorities will be working with the board to select a new leader for the organization. NEEA has been blessed with Margie’s outstanding leadership for the past 10 years, so finding a new leader of her caliber will be a significant challenge.
Second, it’s important that we deliver on the commitments and value we promised our funders in the 2005-2009 business plan. Thanks to the diligence of the previous board and the great work of NEEA staff we are on track to achieve our 2009 goals, but we need to make sure that we stay on track, and also look for opportunities to seed savings for the next business plan cycle.
Third, with the myriad of energy and environmental issues facing our industry and the region, we are challenged to think and act more strategically. So, one of the top priorities will be developing a new strategic plan for NEEA.
Finally, as we move forward with our new governance model, it’s important that we monitor its progress closely, and modify it, if necessary. The previous board took courageous steps to look inward and craft this. It’s incumbent upon us to ensure that we give this area a lot of attention and make sure we’re being effective. We need to demonstrate that we are adhering to NEEA’s long standing principles of inclusion, stewardship of ratepayer resources and transparency of operations.
What does the change in governing structure, mean for utilities?
I want to acknowledge all of the hard work the previous board did to create this structure. Utility partners will see the board focus more on strategic issues. Our goal is to nimbly guide the organization’s policies and strategies in a rapidly changing environment. We are also establishing expert committees that we hope will engage our utility partners, state and local program implementers, and other subject matter experts to advise NEEA on technical matters and programmatic direction. With the new expert committee structure we hope to maintain the breadth of utility and regional stakeholder participation. By having more senior level leadership represented on the board of directors, we are also increasing the organizational commitment and support for NEEA’s efforts.
How would you describe NEEA to someone who had never heard of the organization?
NEEA is a broad-based coalition of energy efficiency interests that works collaboratively to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency practices, products and services. Our efforts result in sustainable energy savings, and perhaps more importantly, fundamental changes in the market’s receptiveness to energy efficiency.
What benefits does NEEA bring to its partners and to the region?
NEEA is effective at aggregating the market influence of utilities across the region. When we aggregate our markets, the region has more clout with market participants. We’ve seen that in many initiatives, most recently with the compact florescent bulb. For individual utilities, we’re able to accomplish much more through NEEA than we could on our own. Through NEEA, utility partners not only achieve more bang for the buck, we are also able to mitigate risks by pooling our resources to advance new technologies and practices.
How can NEEA serve such a diverse group with varying goals and expectations, while keeping its eye on its regional goals?
That is a challenge faced by any alliance, whether it is a trade association, business alliance, or coalition -- to maintain the commonality of purpose. The challenge for the NEEA board is to come to consensus around a set of priorities that address the strategic issues facing all of us, as well as reflect the diversity of the region. Then we need to put in place the metrics that ensure that NEEA achieves quantifiable benefits across the region.
We have many differences, such as east-west, urban-rural and large-small. NEEA is a forum where we have an opportunity to bring those perspectives together and develop a strategy that reflects the needs and values across the region. The issue shouldn’t be whether another utility benefited more than my utility, but whether the benefits are greater than what I could have achieved on my own.
What do you see in the future for energy efficiency and energy in general?
Developing energy independence will continue to be a national security concern, and the combination of growing loads, environmental and other resource constraints will have a substantial impact on energy markets both regionally and nationally. Electric utilities will be challenged to meet the increased demand at the lowest cost and in a manner that leaves the least environmental footprint. So a resource such as cost-effective energy efficiency has to become our highest priority resource. It is at my utility – Snohomish PUD. If it’s not at the top at some utilities, I know it’s very near the top for most in the Northwest. We’re going to see lots of innovation on the energy efficiency and energy generation fronts. Look for a proliferation of net zero buildings, on-site renewable energy, cleaner generation technologies, the advancement of tidal energy and greater development of wind and geothermal resources. It will be exciting.
Where do you see NEEA in 10 years?
NEEA will be continuing to push the envelope. We will continue to be in the forefront of accelerating the most energy-efficient technologies and practices. I also see NEEA being recognized nationally as a model for effective collaboration and market transformation, not just for energy related organizations, but other sectors as well.
What are the utilities’ responsibilities when it comes to energy efficiency in the Northwest?
Through NEEA, utilities can collaborate around common interests, but each utility still has a responsibility to serve its own markets as well as meet the growing load in its service territory. Most utilities in the region have come to view energy efficiency as a key resource and are looking to partner with customers to acquire cost-effective energy efficiency. Some utilities have been at this aggressively for awhile while others are ramping up at various rates, either voluntarily, or in response to state mandates.
Customers are looking to their utilities to be a trusted source of information and technical assistance on energy technology and energy use issues. This is an important responsibility, but it is also an opportunity for utilities add value for the region’s ratepayers.
What are you passionate about?
As an adolescent I received training as a community organizer and completed internships with a couple of housing and community development organizations. Ever since then I’ve been passionate about empowering others to achieve shared goals.
What do you do for fun?
Since moving to the Northwest nine years ago, I’ve become an outdoor person and gotten into hiking, camping and appreciating all the many natural amenities here. I’m a jazz fan and love to play trumpet.
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