From Regulation to Governance in the Electric Sector

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this article is to review and synthesize recent scholarship on stakeholder engagement in electric sector governance, placing research within a framework for understanding the role that stakeholders play in regulation and governance. Recent Findings: Collaborative, multi-actor forums have developed to assist in the governance of electricity transmission and state-level clean energy activities, allowing stakeholders with divergent interests to help resolve political and technical challenges related to increased use of renewable and distributed electricity. Summary: The traditional approaches to electric sector regulation are ill-suited to address the opportunities and challenges facing the sector today. In response to changing conditions in the electric sector, many jurisdictions and regions have developed more flexible, cooperative, deliberative, and inclusive approaches to governance that encourage diverse stakeholders to work together to resolve emerging issues and coordinate between policy venues.