NARUC installs Connecticut PURA Vice Chair John Betkoski as new president

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) installed Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) Vice Chair John W. ‘Jack’ Betkoski as its new president at its Annual Meeting and Education Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, this week.

As president, Betkoski will oversee NARUC’s operations, act as its primary voice and represent NARUC before Congress, the courts and administrative agencies. He will also designate members to the NARUC Board of Directors, committee leadership positions and other appointments as necessary.

During his installation remarks, Betkoski revealed his theme for the year, Powered Together: Tapping the Water Energy Nexus, citing the D grade given to the United States for water and wastewater by the American Society of Civil Engineers due to failing infrastructure. Betkoski also discussed potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, natural disasters and the importance of reliable telecommunications to support water and energy.

“Water, as we know, is indispensable for energy production, including both electricity and sources of fuel such as oil and natural gas,” Betkoski said.

The new president proposed that NARUC create an online microsite about the water-energy nexus and announced a goal for NARUC to build a water-energy app by the 2018 annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

NARUC also installed other leaders, including Wisconsin Chair Ellen Nowak as first vice president and North Carolina Chair Edward S. Finley, Jr. as second vice president.