As state and federal government regulations are expected to change the way energy is produced and distributed in the coming years, Kris Sellstrom, Board of Public Utilities transmission and distribution manager, is encouraging the local community to have a positive perspective to change, rather than a negative perspective of change. Pictured is Kris Sellstrom, Board of Public Utilities transmission and distribution manager. P-J photo by Timothy Frudd

With significant change expected in the coming years regarding energy, Kris Sellstrom, Board of Public Utilities transmission and distribution manager, is encouraging people in the community to have a positive perspective of change.

As both the state and federal government continue to legislate changes in energy production and distribution, Sellstrom acknowledged that there will be significant change regarding infrastructure, technology and finances for businesses and organizations such as the BPU.

Sellstrom said the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is intended to “electrify everything.” Currently, Sellstrom said the existing distribution system is not built to handle that. As a result, Sellstrom said one of the challenges moving forward is determining how utility companies such as the BPU can change and adapt.

As the BPU considers ways to adapt to changing state and federal regulations, Sellstrom said the “traditional model” of energy production and distribution might not be the best solution. Instead of simply installing additional transformers, poles and wires, Sellstrom suggested that energy production and distribution might include things such as rooftop solar or battery storage in various locations.

“There’s a lot coming at us,” he said. “I think that’s probably going to be the exciting horizon that we’re looking at, trying to figure out how to make it work. I think change is always scary, and I think that people’s initial reaction to change is typically skewed negatively. I guess I’d ask that people when they look at a piece of change, to first frame that change as a positive thing. Before you start thinking about all the negatives that the change might occur, think about the positives first, and if you can rearrange that order of operations, you might find that you find a lot more positive than you would otherwise have entertained.”

While Sellstrom said many people are quick to view change as a bad thing, he is encouraging people to view change as a good thing. He said that while many people complain about how nothing ever happens or changes in the region, as soon as change is proposed, people are quick to respond in a variety of negative ways.

“Stop with the negativity and focus on the positive aspects of that change,” he said. “Every change is going to come with pros and cons. The reality is change is the only thing that’s always known. You’re always going to have change. Find ways to use it to make life better. There’s a lot of opportunities.”

According to Sellstrom, over the next several years, things will begin to “change dramatically.” Sellstrom told The Post-Journal that the change will not only involve the electrification of everything, but change will affect “every sector of the economy.” In light of the coming changes, Sellstrom said the community has the choice of whether to “sit back and complain” about the changes or to “take advantage” of the opportunities afforded by the coming changes and continue to move the community forward.

Another way Sellstrom encourages people to respond to change is by being involved in the local community.

“I’ve been fairly involved in the community for many years through various nonprofits and community boards and things, and there’s so much going on that it is impossible to keep up with it,” he said. “Anybody that tells me there’s nothing going on, they just have their eyes closed, because there’s so much going on. Get involved if you’re bored. If you don’t think there’s anything going on, give me a call, I’ll give you a list of things you can go to this weekend or next week. It really is endless.”