Transcript National Utilities Diversity Council (NUDC) A Proposal: Taking UMAP To The Next Level By Jose L.

National Utilities
Diversity Council
(NUDC)
A Proposal:
Taking UMAP To The Next Level
By Jose L. Perez, Cynthia Marshall, Tom Oliver
NUDC
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Background
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Rapidly changing demographics – 110 million minorities –
one in three consumers
Utilities represent a significant part of the US economy and
affects the quality of life for all Americans
NARUC represents the public sector’s regulatory arm for
utilities for all fifty states including assuring consumers get a
good return on their investments – rate payers!
UMAP works to promote supplier diversity from within the
NARUC but not without challenges
NUDC
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Observations
UMAP is an ad hoc committee of NARUC
 UMAP sunsets in January 2008
 UMAP does not have dedicated staff and resources
to do research on issues of diversity
 UMAP does not have the capacity to develop and
implement strategies to address the needs identified
by minorities, women and service disabled veterans
 UMAP is unable to support state commissioners
who are interested in furthering diversity efforts
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NUDC
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Proposal in development since January of 2007
Vetted out with various commissioners, utilities,
minority, women and service disabled veterans
business owners, advocacy groups, and
government officials
Overwhelming support for this proposal and its
immediate adoption and implementation
NUDC – The Proposal
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Create a 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization
called the National Utilities Diversity Council to
overcome the barriers faced by UMAP
Diversity will be benchmarked by formal data
from the US Census Bureau
The definition of diversity will include:
governance, procurement, employment,
philanthropy and customer service (language
access)
NUDC – The Proposal (Cont.)
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Governed by 25 members representing a diverse
group comprised of commissioners, industry
and business groups, and consumer and labor
groups
Housed in Washington DC
Have a strong relationship with NARUC
including working in tandem for logistical
activities (board meetings, events, etc.)
NUDC – The Proposal (Cont.)
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Mission
To voluntarily act as a resource that promotes the
inclusion of women, racial and ethnic minorities and
service disabled veterans and other organized groups
that add to the diversity of the Council in utility
corporate governance, philanthropy, employment,
procurement, language access/customer service; and, to
promote diversity in the federal and state governments
that perform related regulatory tasks with utility
companies.
NUDC – The Proposal (Cont.)
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NUDC will have an annual meeting to report on
accomplishments in diversity and on the
continuing challenges in coordination with the
NARUC leadership
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NUDC will seek foundation and government
grants to operate and will host events to
generate revenues to sustain the NUDC and its
mission
NUDC – The Proposal (Cont.)
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Government Liaisons
The White House
 Department of Energy
 Federal Communications Commission
 Environment Protection Agency
 Nuclear Regulatory Commission
 Senate Majority Leader
 Speaker of the House
 And others as appropriate
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NUDC – The Proposal (Cont.)
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Standing Committees
Governance
 Procurement
 Employment
 Philanthropy
 Customer Service/Language Access & Marketing
 State Utility Diversity Council Relations
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NUDC – The Proposal (Cont.)
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Provide support for existing State diversity
programs in California, Indiana, Maryland, New
Jersey, Ohio and others
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Encourage the creation of state diversity
councils
NUDC – The Proposal (Cont.)
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Membership is open to:
Utility commissioners
 Consumers
 Labor groups
 Business/trade associations
 Utilities
 Seniors
 Veterans
 Others
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NUDC
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Request UMAP’s adoption today
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Request UMAP recommend for adoption by
NARUC’s Board of Directors for a November
launch