August 2025 | Volume 25
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
ONNEC T PUC PUCONNEC T Public Utility Commission of Texas
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Required Equal Employment Opportunity Training Due August 20
CAN YOU DIG IT? THE PUCT TURNS 50… Thanks to everyone who donned their bell bottoms and wide collars to disco and hustle in the PUCT’s Big 5-0! Enjoy these highlights from a groovy day. Read more
The PUConnecTionnaire: Get to Know Drake Kirk
HUZZAH AND CONGRATS, SUMMER 2025
PUCT In The Media
Where we share your latest milestones and cheer-worthy activities… Read more
Message from Connie Corona, Executive Director
CULTURE OF LEARNING: FINANCIAL LITERACY AND YOUR FUTURE Whether you’re a financial literacy novice or guru, as state employees, we all have some unique opportunities available to us through the Employees Retirement LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT System of Texas (ERS)’ pension PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS retirement program. Read more
Public Utility Commission of Texas
INVESTING IN YOU
CONNIE’S CORNER Now that the 89th Texas Legislative Session is over, here are a few of the questions Exec Leadership has received after Gov. Abbott signed House Bill (HB) 5196 into law. Q: Does HB 5196 change our teleworking policy? A: In short, the answer is no. HB 5196 introduced the definition of teleworking into the Texas Government Code and put parameters around it. These parameters align with our Alternate Work Schedule Policy, which I encourage you to read in full. As part of the law, the agency will renew the alternate work schedule agreement with all employees annually. Q: The PUCT’s Alternate Work Schedule Policy outlines “agency operation hours” and “core business hours”—what’s the difference between them? A: The agency’s operation hours indicate the hours we’re open to the general public—8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. The agency’s core business hours specify the time frame during the workday when all employees are required to be present (either physically or remotely). Our core business hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, which means that all work schedules must begin by 9 a.m. and cannot end earlier than 3 p.m. Q: What should I do if an in-person meeting falls on my remote workday? A: First, please speak about the scheduling conflict with your supervisor. If possible (and with your supervisor’s okay), switch your remote working days that week to accommodate the in-office meeting. Q: How can I be a good coworker in the office? A: As we are all in the office more often, please be mindful of others’ quiet work when you’re collaborating or chatting with your coworkers in open spaces. Grab a conference room or office to be more considerate of others. Q: How can I be a good coworker when working remotely? A: Be available on Teams just as you would be at your desk. Please upload a profile photo of yourself to Teams so that we can better recognize others in person and online. Now that we have more people, there are a lot of duplicate initials! As always, thank you for all the hard work you do for Texans each and every day. Connie
SAVE THE DATES: AUGUST 2025 Keep an eye out for the following events and things to remember in August. August 6 (2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m., Hayley’s office, Room 7-190G): Join us for the next installation of GTKExecs@PUC—Hot Pretzels with Hayley on Wednesday, August 6! Click here to save your spot. August 20 (all day): DEADLINE to complete FY 2025 Required Training on Equal Employment Opportunity and Discrimination Prevention. All PUCT staff must complete this training. Click here to get started. August 25 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., in-person in Hearing Room B, 7th Floor): Employees who started working for the state of Texas after September 1, 2022, may join an ERS Retirement Benefits Overview Presentation on Monday, August 25. (Please note that this hire date should reflect your total time in state service and may be different than your PUCT hire date.) Click here to enroll. August 26 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., in-person in Hearing Room B, 7th Floor): Employees who started working for the state of Texas before September 1, 2022, may join an ERS Retirement Benefits Overview Presentation on Tuesday, August 26. (Please note that this hire date should reflect your total time in state service and may be different than your PUCT hire date.) Click here to enroll. August 27 (all day): The PUCT will observe a Skeleton Crew Day on Wednesday, August 27, in observance of LBJ’s Birthday. Please coordinate scheduling with your supervisor. Public Utility Commission of Texas
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REQUIRED EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY TRAINING DUE AUGUST 20 Why should we all understand Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)? It protects everyone. EEO laws ensure fair treatment and prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, pay, promotions, training, and the workplace environment. We each have responsibilities. Every employee plays a role in maintaining a respectful workplace. Knowing your rights and how to recognize and report inappropriate conduct is essential. It’s about a safe, productive environment. Understanding EEO helps prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, contributing to a culture where everyone can thrive. It’s required by law—and by PUCT policy. Completing EEO training is mandatory for all employees, including interns and commissioners, to comply with state and federal laws and the PUCT’s commitment to an equitable workplace. To help us all better understand our responsibilities, Human Resources is partnering with Learning and Development to bring you the required PUCT Equal Employment Opportunity and Discrimination Prevention Training—due on August 20! This is a 60-minute e-course you can complete at your own pace. All employees are required to complete the training—including interns and commissioners. Learning and Development will automatically enroll everyone in the course. Training must be completed by August 20. Please email Human Resources with questions about EEO and Learning and Development with questions about the required training process.
WELLNESS 101: CARING FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE TEXAS FLOOD CRISIS WITH TAMMY BENTER
In the wake of the recent Texas floods, many of us are facing emotional and mental strain. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, which is why it’s so important to take steps to care for your well-being. Here are a few selfcare tips: Stay connected and talk to friends, family, or coworkers. A supportive conversation can ease stress and remind you that you’re not alone. Limit media exposure as too much news can heighten anxiety. Choose specific times to check updates and stick to reliable sources. Practice a self-care routine—like taking a short walk, deep breathing, or planning a healthy meal—to help you feel grounded and in control. Seek support if you’re struggling. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential help. Taking care of your mental health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Remember: We’re in this together.
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THE PUCONNECTIONNAIRE Drake Kirk, Communications Where did you grow up? My elementary through college years were spent in Kyle, Texas. As a kid, what did you most want to be when you grew up? Schroeder from the Peanuts cartoons. Where would you most like to visit that you’ve never been? Liberty Lunch. What is your greatest pet peeve? When people ask me what it is like to be a twin. What do you most value in your friends? If they can keep a secret. What is your most treasured possession? A wooden toy box my great-grandfather built for my brother and me. I know it is full of our childhood, but I have purposely not opened it in over 30 years. What talent would you most like to have? Patience. What is your greatest extravagance? Owning at least one “project car” at any point as far back as high school. I currently have three. What is your greatest happiness? Watching my children do anything outside the house. What is your greatest fear? Dreams where I am falling. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Paying for college out-of-pocket while working at H.E.B. What is your favorite thing about working at the PUCT? The freedom to do the job I was hired for. Choose five words that best describe you. Grateful, Humble, Reliable, Stable, Systematic.
CISRM Thank you to our outstanding team members in CISRM who worked tirelessly this month to staff the State Operations Center during the activation for the Hill Country Floods. The long hours they put in and the care they take in keeping the agency and critical utilities informed during emergencies is greatly appreciated. Thank you, CISRM, for all you do!
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CAN YOU DIG IT? THE PUCT TURNS 50… Thanks to everyone who donned their bell bottoms and wide collars to disco and hustle in the PUCT’s Big 5-0! Enjoy these highlights from a groovy day.
Save the Date: Hold Thursday, September 25 on your calendar for the (more) formal PUCT 50th Celebration. More details to come in next month’s PUConnecT.
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HUZZAH AND CONGRATS, SUMMER 2025 We’re excited to welcome two new PUCT pee-wees!
Ennio Aurelius Moser, son of Luisa Venegoni and Kyle Moser, made his grand debut on June 5, 2025, weighing in at 5 lb., 7 oz., and 19 in. long. Mom says everyone is doing great!
Violet Grace Duke, daughter of Krista and Chris Duke, joined big sister Katherine and the rest of her family on July 6, 2025—her actual due date!
The 2025 Lead@PUC Cohort connected with the PUCT Executive Team on July 16 in an extended GTKExecs@PUC session.
And a high five for HR’s Ana Trevino, who recently adopted the most handsome good boy, Jude, a one-year-old Lab mix. Ana adopted Jude from Austin Pets Alive during the “Keep Austin Adopting” campaign. He loves going on walks, watching Bluey, and cuddling. And he cannot sleep or go anywhere without his green frog toy.
Kudos to Rate Regulation’s Ethan Blanchard and Gage Holt for making major strides in their professional certification journeys. Ethan recently passed Level II of the three-part exam process to become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)— according to Darryl, the hardest section that “weeds out” most candidates. And Gage recently earned his Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Congrats to you both!
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CULTURE OF LEARNING: FINANCIAL LITERACY AND YOUR FUTURE WITH JOSEPHINE JUAREZ-DELGADO
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS INVESTING IN YOU
Whether you’re a financial literacy novice or guru, as state employees, we all have some unique opportunities available to us through the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) pension retirement program. No matter if you’re a new or long-time state employee (or anywhere in between), Learning and Development is bringing ERS directly to YOU so you can learn more about your financial future. Later this month, Learning and Development will host ERS for two in-person Retirement Benefits Overview Presentations that will include ERS Benefits Educators and a representative from Empower Retirement to speak on the 401k/457 benefits with Texa$aver. Please sign up for the session that correlates with your state hire date (which may be different than your PUCT hire date): HIRED AFTER September 1, 2022—Click here to enroll Monday, August 25, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. In-person in PUCT Hearing Room B—7th Floor HIRED BEFORE September 1, 2022—Click here to enroll Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. In-person in PUCT Hearing Room B—7th Floor Topics covered during each presentation will include: 1. ERS Retirement Groups and Eligibility for Each Group 2. Service Credit 3. Applying for Retirement 4. 401k/457 Benefits with Texa$aver Optional Pre-Work: Be familiar with your ERS Online account before attending the presentation. These sessions will also be recorded and available in the Learn@PUC Course Catalog for future review. Find these courses (and more) in the Learn@PUC Calendar located at the bottom of the Learn@PUC landing page.
PUCT IN THE MEDIA
Texas must balance speedy data center buildout with risk of stranded costs: stakeholders Robert Walton, Utility Dive
AUSTIN — “Texas is open for business like never before,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a March statement, celebrating the passage of legislation designed to facilitate the interconnection of data centers and other large loads to the state’s electric grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state’s grid operator, is expecting load growth of up to 150 GW by 2030, he said — while the system’s 2024 peak was about 86 GW. The rapid growth projections have led to concerns about maintaining grid reliability, and the need for costs to be fairly allocated. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law, SB 6, in June, requiring non-critical loads over 75 MW to curtail demand during firm load shed events. The new law also sets up interconnection disclosure and cost-sharing rules, mandatory interconnection study fees and protocols for colocating large loads with existing generators. All of this aims to keep the grid reliable, in part by ensuring ERCOT and local utilities can accurately forecast load growth and avoid overbuilding the system. Some experts say speculative interconnection requests are five to 10 times more than the number of actual data centers that will be built, making load forecasting difficult. On Monday, the Public Utility Commission of Texas held a workshop on SB 6 implementation, and asked ERCOT stakeholders what additional rules might be necessary to minimize the potential for stranded infrastructure costs while still supporting business development. Read more here for a recap of comments from industry stakeholders. CONTACT ELLIE BREED FOR STAFF SHOUTOUT: ELLIE.BREED@PUC.TEXAS.GOV
CONTACT LAUREN CALLAHAN FOR FEATURES: LAUREN.CALLAHAN@PUC.TEXAS.GOV
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