The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) was founded in 1889 to serve the public interest by seeking to improve the quality and effectiveness of government regulation of certain industries. Its members have largely shaped the profile and substance of public utility regulation in America.
NARUC is primarily comprised of state utility regulators across the 50 states and U.S. territories, as its focus and purpose is to represent the interests and concerns of state commissions. In addition, the Association extends membership to federal agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and others.
NARUC provides legal expertise to ensure that our members are represented on pressing matters affecting our states; resources and technical knowledge that provide practical applications; communications and marketing expertise that amplify key state messages to national press and facilitated discussions among PUC communications staff; and, through its well-attended meetings, direct access to other state commissions, federal policymakers, consumer advocacy groups, industry experts and the ability to participate in meaningful dialogues with all stakeholders.
Two key benefits of NARUC membership are derived from the Advocacy and Education programs.
The Policy Department leads NARUC’s myriad advocacy efforts on behalf of state regulators. In particular, we
The average tenure of a utility commissioner is approximately 3.5 years. NARUC offers unparalleled and essential educational opportunities for its members, with topics ranging from rate-case basics to ethical considerations. NARUC helps new commissioners learn their challenging jobs in an expedited manner.
Also, the Association and its affiliates, through national and regional conferences and committee meetings, seek to improve the knowledge base and collaboration among the membership. The Meetings Department works with both Association staff and Commissions to:
Practical knowledge for members is also enhanced through NARUC’s Center for Partnerships & Innovation, which provides essential services to states through a host of activities:
NARUC has a growing, dynamic Communications Department that supports the Association’s goal to keep its members apprised of current developments of regulatory interest. This team does this through:
Through its international programs, NARUC facilitates opportunities to work with foreign regulators, both by travelling abroad and working remotely from the United States.
Members learn much from these educational experiences, gaining new skills, expertise, and perspective into critical issues at no cost to commissions or their staff. Interactions with foreign regulators also feed members’ desire to serve others in a meaningful way, allowing them to apply their skills and talents toward making life better in these countries.
Educational benefits of NARUC’s international programs include:
In support of state utility regulators working to drive meaningful change in energy sectors both at home and abroad, NARUC’s international programs also helps promote staff retention for member commissions, offering a zero-cost workforce development strategy. By providing the flexibility and support for staff to participate in NARUC’s international activities, commissions can offer unique opportunities that staff that will not find elsewhere.
NARUC is highly regarded as a leader among regulatory voices in the United States and internationally on such topical issues as electricity systems and markets, the protection of critical utility infrastructure facilities, deployment of broadband technologies, development of natural gas facilities, and best practices for cybersecurity, to name a few.