The Transmission Access Policy Study Group (TAPS) held its fall membership conference, annual membership meeting, and annual board meeting in Key West, Florida, on November 1-3, 2026.
Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) co-hosted the event with TAPS.
In addition to informational updates from FMPA, Keys Energy Services, and TAPS consultants, attendees heard presentations from former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chair Mark Christie; American Public Power Association (APPA) President and CEO Scott Corwin; and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) President and CEO Jim Robb.
The TAPS membership recognized Tom Heller for his service as TAPS Executive Director. Heller retired from that role on November 3.
“We wish Tom the very best in his retirement, as he has contributed greatly to the success of public power and transmission-dependent utilities throughout his impressive career,” TAPS Chair Jane Cirrincione said. The membership welcomed Suzanne Lane as the new TAPS Executive Director, effective November 4.
During the annual business meetings, the 2027 budget and dues were approved, as was the addition of new member Cedar Falls, Iowa.
In addition, the TAPS Board of Directors, Officers, and Committee Chairs were elected as follows:
Board of Directors
Jane Cirrincione, Chair
Northern California Power Agency (NCPA)
Mike Peters, Vice Chair
WPPI Energy
Fred Clark, Treasurer
Energy Southeast
Matt Schull, Secretary
Missouri River Energy Services
Dave Geschwind, Immediate Past Chair
Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA)
Dan O’Hagan, Executive Committee
FMPA
Roy Jones, Executive Committee
ElectriCities North Carolina
Steve Lieberman, Director
American Municipal Power
Ken Nolan, Director
Vermont Public Power Supply Authority
Colin Hansen, Director
KPP Energy
Mike Hyland, Director
Northeast Public Power Association
Committee Chairs
Dan O’Hagan, Membership Development Committee
FMPA
Fred Clark, Finance Committee
Energy Southeast
Tom Hanrahan, Legislative Committee
WPPI Energy
Scott Tomashefsky, Regulatory and NERC/NAESB Committees
NCPA
Dave Geschwind, Board Nominating Committee
SMMPA
TAPS is a national association of transmission-dependent electric utilities, including municipal utilities, joint action agencies, electric cooperatives, and investor-owned utility members.
Since its formation in 1989, TAPS has advocated for open and equal transmission access, a robust transmission grid, and competitive wholesale electricity markets that benefit consumers.
