It can be challenging to clearly communicate electric power industry issues to the public because many media professionals are unfamiliar with industry concepts, regulations and technology. Yet clear communication by utilities and regulators is essential for informing customers who may have concerns about reliability, safety and cost. It can also inform public agencies and elected officials engaged in critical decision-making and policymaking that directly affect the economy, environment, national security and stock prices.
That’s an observation by Knight Center director Eric Freedman from “Working with the Press to Get the Story Right,” a column he wrote for the Electric Power Research Institute, the independent nonprofit research arm of electricity generation industry.