NARUC adds chairs for key infrastructure, gas, international and telecommunications committees

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) announced new committee leaders last week, promoting various members to chair positions on its critical infrastructure, gas, international, and telecommunications committees.

“The Association is grateful to Commissioners Fay, Cordova, Holsman, and Schram for stepping up to take charge of these important committees to provide the continuity and expert leadership,” Michael Caron, NARUC president, said. “Commissioners Solomon, Kimbrel, Nowak, and Phillips made meaningful contributions in their respective committees, and we absolutely appreciate their service.”

NARUC has eight standing committees, each of which proposes resolutions that its Board of Directors then reviews. These committees are all led by state public service commissioners and determine the association’s policies on congressional, federal, and industry concerns, as well as host educational sessions and panel discussions on issues affecting NARUC members.

Regarding infrastructure, the committee’s new chair will be Andrew Giles Fay, the Florida Public Service Commission chairman and formerly the vice-chair of NARUC’s Critical Infrastructure committee. Similarly, Tammy Cordova, a commissioner from the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and previously co-vice chair of the committee on gas, will take over that committee from former Illinois commissioner D. Ethan Kimbrel. Fay replaced Dianne Slomon of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

“I’m honored to receive this appointment and look forward to the opportunity to lead NARUC’s Committee on Critical Infrastructure,” Fay said. “With Florida’s active storm seasons, we have become a leader in planning and executing successful emergency preparedness and response efforts. I believe this experience will contribute to the Committee’s important work in protecting and restoring our nation’s energy grid.”

While a nonprofit focused on the workings and regulations of U.S. utilities, communication at NARUC stretches domestic and international concerns. As a result, it hosts a committee on international relations in its structure, and now, that body will be helmed by Jason Holsman, commissioner from the Missouri Public Service Commission. Holsman had been a member of the committee, and he inherited the chair from Ellen Nowak of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, who recently departed the position.

“The work NARUC does assisting emerging countries with energy regulatory development is a great responsibility,” said Holsman. “The staff and volunteers for the committee have been doing amazing work over the past 20 years. I’m excited to support their effort in achieving this important mission.”

The last chair addition last week was Tim Schram, a commissioner from the Nebraska Public Service Commission, who will now head the committee on telecommunications. Formerly the body’s vice chair, he replaced outgoing Michigan Public Service Commissioner Tremaine Phillips.

Separately, Commissioner Kim Duffley of the North Carolina Public Utilities Commission was appointed as a co-vice chair on the committee on electricity.