October 22, 2021 – 10:30am to 11:50am PST
Darcie Houck, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission
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California has been at the forefront of clean energy policies and grid modernization initiatives for decades; however, meeting the state’s ambitious 2045 renewable energy and zero-carbon goals, while maintaining affordable rates and a reliable electric grid, will require broad changes in the way we consume energy and interact with the electric grid. This presentation will discuss the role of distributed energy resources in meeting the state’s changing electric grid needs, current opportunities and ongoing policy developments to support widespread load flexibility, and ongoing efforts to make clean energy technologies and programs accessible to all Californians.
Commissioner Darcie L. Houck was appointed to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by Governor Gavin Newsom on Feb. 9, 2021. She formerly served as Chief Counsel for the California Energy Commission since 2019.
Commissioner Houck was an Administrative Law Judge at the CPUC from 2016 to 2019, a Partner at Fredericks Peebles & Morgan from 2005 to 2016, and Staff Counsel and Policy Advisor at the California Energy Commission from 2000 to 2005.
Commissioner Houck is an expert in nuclear decommissioning, environmental equity, and safety policy. She has an extensive background representing Native American tribes throughout the country on matters involving energy, natural resources, land claims, and water rights, among others.
Commissioner Houckis a member of the California Indian Law Association, California Lawyers Association, Schwartz-Levi Inn of Court, Women Lead and the Association of Women in Water, Energy, and Environment. She earned a law degree from the University of California, where she also earned a Master of Science in community development.
