Arizona utility regulator recognized for international regulatory efforts
Arizona Corporation Commission’s Utilities Division Director Elijah Abinah received the 2018 Terry Barnich Award this week for his work to promote international cooperation among utility regulators and the development of professional regulation.
Abinah received the award during the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) annual meeting held this week in Florida.
“The value of Mr. Abinah’s work transcends the boundary of statewide utility regulation as he has selflessly given his time and shared his expertise across international borders,” Chairman Tom Forese said. “We are honored to have his expertise and regulatory knowledge working for Arizona’s energy needs.”
Abinah has served at the Arizona Corporation Commission for 15 years and previously served at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for over eight years. Abinah has served NARUC Staff Subcommittees for Telecommunications, Electricity and International Relations and is the NARUC–Jamaica Partnership Exchange Coordinator.
He previously traveled to Nigeria to assist NARUC in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to mediate between electric distribution companies, labor unions, and other stakeholders to avert a planned protest in Nigeria due to a proposed rate increase and blackouts.
On five occasions over the last 18 months, he has traveled internationally for conferences and workshops to represent the ACC, NARUC, and USAID in Entebbe, Uganda; Lagos, Nigeria; Kigali, Rwanda; Abuja, Nigeria and New Delhi, India.
Abinah is one of two individuals unanimously recommended to receive the award, which acknowledges individuals who promote best practices in the international regulatory arena.
