NARUC appoints Kimbrel to key committee post

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners named Commissioner D. Ethan Kimbrel as chair of its Committee on Gas.

Kimbrel serves on the Illinois Commerce Commission, a role he has had since 2018. He had previously served as the chief administrative law judge at the ICC. Before that, Kimbrel practiced personal injury, appellate, malpractice, and commercial litigation. He earned his law degree from George Washington University and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago.

At NARUC, Kimbrel had served as co-vice chair of the Committee on Gas and currently serves on the Committee on International Relation at NARUC.

“We are pleased to welcome Commissioner Kimbrel in his new role,” NARUC President Paul Kjellander said. “He has served as co-vice chair of the committee, brings solid experience as a former administrative law judge, and is engaged with national and federal partners, all of which will help him advance the important work of the committee.”

The Committee on Gas fosters awareness and understanding of issues that impact the transportation, distribution, and sale of natural gas. Committee members work closely with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation.

“I am truly honored to chair this committee, as this is an incredible time to be involved in the regulated gas space. The U.S. energy sector, both domestically and abroad, is undergoing significant transformation,” Kimbrel said. “We have a responsibility to help foster awareness and understanding of issues affected by federal, state, and local policies and regulations, including enhancing and modernizing the natural gas utility infrastructure, energy efficiency, new technologies, electric and natural gas interdependencies, and appropriate coordination with renewables. We also must maintain our focus on the safety and reliability of our natural gas systems. There is much work before the committee, which I look forward to continuing with my colleagues from across the country.”

Kimbrel replaces New York State Public Service Commissioner Diane Burman, who led the Committee on Gas for the past three years.

“Commissioner Burman’s leadership helped keep the committee relevant during a time of unprecedented change in the natural gas industry. She worked tirelessly to ensure that panels and workshops involving gas were both topical and accessible. As a result of Commissioner Burman’s leadership, the Committee on Gas is poised to continue benefiting NARUC’s membership,” Kjellander said.

Kimbrel is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy – NARUC Natural Gas Partnership, the NARUC – National Association of State Energy Officials Microgrid State Working Group, the Board of Advisors for the Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies at Illinois State University, and the Board of Directors for the Organization of PJM States.