Laying the Groundwork
An interview with NARUC President Tricia Pridemore
As the new president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Tricia Pridemore is keeping it simple: Natural gas is part of what our nation needs to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy. In this exclusive interview for American Gas, she shares her thoughts on better access, the future of energy jobs and NARUC’s pivotal role.
American Gas: Commissioner Pridemore, congratulations on your election as NARUC’s president for 2025—serving as the first Georgian to lead NARUC in nearly two decades. As a member and chair of the Georgia Public Service Commission, you’ve strongly advocated for an all-of-the-above energy policy for the state. How will this viewpoint guide your primary goals as you lead NARUC in 2025?
Tricia Pridemore: NARUC exists to support state commissioners who have the responsibility for their states and our nation to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy and utility services. For our nation to be energy independent, we need abundant generation from all sources that meet the safe, reliable and affordable criteria.
American Gas: You’re an entrepreneur with a strong tech background. Your theme, Let There Be Light, invites innovation and creative solutions to the many challenges faced by utilities and consumers. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the types of disruptive technologies or innovations in natural gas that may better serve consumers in the future.
Pridemore: Natural gas energy generation is currently the greatest source of reliable power in America. Reducing emissions and increasing access to more natural gas infrastructure will help America serve the needs of data centers and onshoring of manufacturing. Technologies don’t have to be disruptive to make a big impact. I’d be satisfied with access to more natural gas storage and pipelines.
American Gas: The energy industry remains one of our nation’s top employers. As natural gas utilities continue to invest in their infrastructure, creating great jobs in the process, can you talk about your workforce development experience and how you plan to help shape policies that will continue to spur careers in natural gas and other energy industries?
Pridemore: Energy jobs are great jobs! Our industry powers the needs of every facet of the American economy. We need more students pursuing energy and utility jobs to keep our workforce strong. I formerly served as Workforce Development Director for the state of Georgia, and we spent years building a pipeline of high school students seeking careers in engineering and the skilled trades. These students are now actively serving our industry, including those who worked on the Plant Vogtle site, building America’s first new nuclear reactors in three decades.
American Gas: You were appointed to the Georgia PSC in 2018, then successfully ran and held your seat. During your campaign, you reiterated that your highest priority will always be the ratepayer and ensuring low utility rates for both businesses and consumers. What can NARUC do to help keep rates low, especially in this time of high inflation?
Pridemore: NARUC has a pivotal role in supporting state commissioners’ affordability goals through member education, best practices sharing and the training offered to commissioners and commission staff such as the twice-annual NARUC Rate School.
American Gas: Just a few months ago, Hurricane Helene cut a wide swath through Georgia, leaving millions without power and telecommunications. Natural gas customers, however, were still largely able to access their gas stoves and water heaters. Can you talk about the state’s response to the devastation of Hurricane Helene and any lessons learned that could be applied at the national level?
Pridemore: In the nearly seven years I’ve served on the Georgia PSC, we’ve had two devastating hurricanes—Michael in 2018 and Helene in 2024. The Georgia PSC actively works with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and our utilities to prepare for and respond to these damaging storms. In the days after Hurricane Helene, our office was flooded with service requests, so we initiated a live statewide Zoom for each electric, gas and telecommunications utility to provide customer service details and outage/restoration information. Local media promoted the Zoom, which was broadcast live on YouTube so Georgians knew how to get help. This strategy was the most efficient and effective way for the Georgia PSC to support the Georgians affected.
American Gas: You currently serve as the chair of NARUC’s Gas-Electric Alignment for Reliability or GEAR Task Force. Would you please share with us how GEAR is working to better enhance energy reliability?
Pridemore: GEAR is hard at work forming solutions to some of the challenges natural gas has in electricity generation. Our first solution—announced in November with AGA—is the Readiness Forum, which will start every winter season with a national analysis of the upcoming winter season. The Readiness Forum lays the groundwork for action calls for pre-severe winter weather. By joining every facet of the value chain, we’re improving communication and ensuring greater system reliability.
American Gas: Finally, in your earlier life, you founded and ran a multimillion-dollar marketing company. If you could suggest a marketing strategy or tagline for the natural gas industry, what would it be?
Pridemore: Here are three: “Natural gas is energy security. Energy security is national security;” “Nothing more American than abundant natural gas;” and “Stay warm and cozy with American natural gas.”