Letha Tawney
Commissioner
Oregon Public Utilities Commission
Biography:
Letha Tawney is an expert on electricity markets, utility business models, state regulation, clean energy deployment and large customer buying strategies (commercial and industrial).
As a Commissioner on the Oregon Public Utility Commission, she represents Oregon on the Western Energy Imbalance Market Body of State Regulators and is deeply involved with efforts to expand regional cooperation. She is focused on proactively adapting regulation and the grid to the rapidly changing economics of energy so consumers and communities reap the benefits and frontline communities are not left behind.
Through Spring of 2018, she led WRI's Electricity Initiative in the U.S., developing new business and regulatory models for companies in the power sector. The initiative assisted utilities, regulators, entrepreneurs, and customers with innovative approaches to purchasing, regulating and planning for low-carbon energy. Letha has collaborated with large buyers such as Walmart, Facebook, Yahoo and General Motors, as well as clean energy advocates, utilities and consumer advocates.
Previously, Letha led research on renewable energy technology policy, including subsidy reform and best practices to accelerate innovation and build competitive domestic industries. With over ten years of experience in information technology prior to coming to clean energy. Letha deeply understands manufacturers' efforts to innovate for a competitive edge while reducing costs.
Letha holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. She has written and co-authored many publications on accelerating innovation in clean energy technology and reaping the economic benefits of the emerging industries.
As a Commissioner on the Oregon Public Utility Commission, she represents Oregon on the Western Energy Imbalance Market Body of State Regulators and is deeply involved with efforts to expand regional cooperation. She is focused on proactively adapting regulation and the grid to the rapidly changing economics of energy so consumers and communities reap the benefits and frontline communities are not left behind.
Through Spring of 2018, she led WRI's Electricity Initiative in the U.S., developing new business and regulatory models for companies in the power sector. The initiative assisted utilities, regulators, entrepreneurs, and customers with innovative approaches to purchasing, regulating and planning for low-carbon energy. Letha has collaborated with large buyers such as Walmart, Facebook, Yahoo and General Motors, as well as clean energy advocates, utilities and consumer advocates.
Previously, Letha led research on renewable energy technology policy, including subsidy reform and best practices to accelerate innovation and build competitive domestic industries. With over ten years of experience in information technology prior to coming to clean energy. Letha deeply understands manufacturers' efforts to innovate for a competitive edge while reducing costs.
Letha holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. She has written and co-authored many publications on accelerating innovation in clean energy technology and reaping the economic benefits of the emerging industries.