Regulation lags innovation. We're here to shorten that lag for the energy industry.
Regulators and innovators keep talking past each other
...and it makes sense why.
Regulators focus on one major issue per term, working within processes that are built for caution, not speed. Innovators, on the other hand, are under pressure to move fast, scale quickly, and prove impact.
One side is tasked with guarding the public interest. The other is incentivized to disrupt. Both are trying to do the right thing, but without shared language or timelines, even aligned goals can lead to missed signals and stalled progress.
We believe there's a better way.
Our mission is to bring regulators and innovators into conversation, building a common language and shared understanding that moves everyone forward.
Pacing Energy is dedicated to advancing the quality and effectiveness of regulatory policy through education, dialogue, and collaborative research.
Well-informed regulators and policy-aware entrepreneurs working together can create frameworks that promote the public interest while enabling technological progress. Innovators push us forward. Regulators ensure it’s done in a safe, practical way that benefits energy customers. Far from being pitched against each other, regulators and entrepreneurs are just playing different positions on the same team. And their working relationship should reflect that truth.
In an era of rapid technological change, regulatory institutions face unprecedented challenges. The traditional approaches to oversight developed in the 20th century must evolve to address the complexities of modern energy systems, digital platforms, and emerging technologies. This evolution requires continuous learning, adaptation, and exchange of ideas between regulators, industry leaders, and academic researchers.
Through our programs, we create opportunities for meaningful engagement across these communities.
We curate essential reading materials, convene working groups to tackle specific policy challenges, and maintain forums for ongoing discussion and knowledge sharing.
Our goal is to support the professional development of regulatory practitioners by providing access to rigorous research, historical context, and practical insights. We seek to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity and evidence-based policymaking within regulatory institutions. For entrepreneurs, we aim to translate regulatory jargon into actionable insights that propel them forward rather than tangle them in red tape.
Fewer black boxes. More fruitful exchanges.
We accomplish this through:
Resources
Curating essential reading materials for regulators and innovators.
Group Work
Facilitating working groups focused on emerging regulatory challenges.
Events
Organizing events that bring together a range of diverse perspectives.
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Working Group #1
Flexible Large Load Interconnection
Facilitating structured dialogue between regulators and large load operators to identify gaps in existing interconnection frameworks.
Sponsorship: $52,000/year
All sponsorship funds in support of Pacing Energy are dedicated exclusively to regulator education. They underwrite the direct costs of Pacing Energy activities as well as related convening activities organized by the Institute for Regulatory Law & Economics that advance Pacing Energy's mission. These funds do not support lobbying, political advocacy, or regulated entities. Instead, every dollar strengthens the institutional capacity of regulators to engage constructively with innovators, scholars, and stakeholders, equipping them with the analytical frameworks and shared vocabulary necessary to guide technological progress in ways that serve the public interest.