Published November 20, 2023
By Christine Reed
Chairman Cindy Crane of the Energy Resources Council (ERC) at the School of Energy Resources (SER) was recently appointed as the new CEO of PacifiCorp.
Crane takes the helm of the company with over 30 years of experience in the electric power industry.
Between 1990 and 2014, Crane had an extensive career at PacifiCorp, serving as director of business systems integration, managing director of the company’s regional transmission project, managing director of the major issues program, vice president of strategy and division services for PacifiCorp Energy, and vice president of Interwest Mining and Fuels. During her time at PacifiCorp, she provided leadership in the development of the company’s traditional and renewable energy strategies, including completion of five Wyoming wind projects.
In 2014, Crane became CEO of Rocky Mountain Power, which provides power to 1.2 million customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. She held that post until 2018 before retiring and then shortly after transitioning to Enchant Energy Corporation, an emerging environmental services company focused on carbon capture and storage for industry and communities where she served as CEO and Chairman of the Board.
In her returned role at PacifiCorp, she leads one of the region’s largest electric utilities to provide reliable and affordable service to PacifiCorp customers across six western states and meet the challenges of today’s changing operating, regulatory and economic landscape.
“I am honored to be returning to PacifiCorp, a company I have devoted the majority of my passion and career to,” says Crane. “Our industry is going through an evolution of the magnitude we haven’t seen since the early 1980’s when the company’s customer growth and energy demand facilitated the expansive thermal generation investments that, combined with our large hydro assets, have sustained our communities and their economies. Although there are challenges ahead, I am confident together we will prevail and we will have a prosperous future.”
Crane’s dedication to public service has extended far beyond her own career and has been an asset in guiding the energy-related activities at UW. Through her prowess, she contributes a unique business perspective on the diverse research and workforce demands of both Wyoming’s private and public energy sectors as a member of the ERC.
Established by Wyoming statute 21-17-117(e), the ERC is the governing entity for SER and is tasked with guiding the school in setting priorities for energy-related academics, research, and outreach. The ERC, consisting of leaders from industry, the legislature and UW, provides direction for responsive, internationally recognized, interdisciplinary energy-related programs that are integral constituents of the university’s identity.
First appointed to the ERC by Governor Matt Mead and confirmed by the Wyoming Senate to the ERC in 2014, Crane has served for nearly a decade on the board. In this capacity, she is charged with the oversight of SER’s budget to ensure that the school is supported in its mission to advance energy-driven economic development for the state of Wyoming, and that it is producing a valuable return on the state’s investment into energy research at UW.
