A Montana native who has spent much of his professional career working in, regulating or advocating for the energy industry will be the next administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration. 

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced on June 22 that Travis Kavulla will lead the federally-controlled Pacific Northwest power generating and transmission agency. He will be sworn in on June 29 at BPA’s Portland headquarters. 

Travis Kavulla’s extensive experience in the energy sector will strengthen Bonneville’s ongoing efforts to expand and modernize energy infrastructure and ensure regional grid reliability,” said Secretary Wright in a statement. “I look forward to partnering with Bonneville as it builds on its legacy as the region’s leading provider of wholesale power and works to secure a prosperous future for the people of the Pacific Northwest and our nation.” 

Kavulla replaces outgoing administrator John Hairston, who announced his retirement at the beginning of the year. As administrator, Kavulla will be responsible for an entity that provides about one-third of the electricity generated in the Pacific Northwest from more than 30 hydroelectric dams, with the largest on the Columbia and Snake rivers. He’ll also be in charge of carrying out billions of dollars in planned infrastructure projects, some in the Mid-Columbia, to strengthen and expand energy transmission and distribution. 

Kavulla, who grew up in Great Falls, Montana, currently serves as head of policy for Texas-based Base Power, a home battery manufacturer. He started his professional career after graduating from Harvard by working as a journalist, including as associate editor for the politically right-leaning National Review.  

But he soon went on to roles connected to electrical power, including eight years as a commissioner with the Montana Public Service Commission where he focused on electrical utilities; governing body member of the California Independent System Operator, which manages much of California’s wholesale power and vice president of regulatory affairs at NRG Energy, a Houston, Texas utility. 

He also recently lectured at the University of Chicago on utilities, electricity markets and regulation in the U.S. Kavulla also has written essays and policy proposals in favor of competitive electricity markets and market-based solutions to power issues, including a proposal published in May about how to bring data centers to the grid, according to Politico’s E&E News. 

Kavulla’s appointment received praise from U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, saying he was confident he will provide the leadership needed as BPA works to meet growing energy demands. 

“BPA is critical to powering the Pacific Northwest and ensuring affordable energy is available for our communities. I look forward to working with Travis to modernize our grid infrastructure, meet growing power demand by building new generation, and defending our abundant hydroelectric system,” Newhouse said in a statement. 

Kavulla’s appointment even generated praise from some conservation groups, such as the Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign, which cited his extensive background as a regulator who prioritized cost-effective actions as invaluable to his new role. 

However, that same entity and other conservation groups are also hoping Kavulla will revisit BPA’s decision last year to join Southwest Power Pool’s Markets+ day-ahead energy market, which they say will increase costs for consumers, weaken energy grid reliability and access to clean energy, violating BPA’s obligations to consumers and the environment. 

“Modern energy markets are an essential tool to increase reliability and ensure energy affordability,” said Ben Otto with the Northwest Energy Coalition in a statement. “BPA has ample time to reconsider its current choice, remain in the (Western Energy Imbalance Market) and then decide to join the large, diverse Extended Day Ahead Market that will be governed by an independent body of western energy experts with input from states and market stakeholders and participants.”