press releases
For Immediate Release: August 12, 2015
Contact: Regina L. Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org
WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) congratulates Commissioner T.W. Patch, of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, on his election as the new Chair of the National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI) Board of Directors. Commissioner Patch will serve a one-year term, which commenced on August 1, 2015.
Commissioner Patch has served on the RCA since 2010 and was elected to three consecutive terms as Chairman. His current term ends in 2016. Along with his NRRI role, he also serves on NARUC’s Board of Directors, the Washington Action Committee, the Committee on Water, the Subcommittee on Education and Research and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety.
As Chair of the NRRI Board, he is responsible for presiding at all board meetings and has such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board. At the end of his term, he will become eligible for re-election for one additional year.
“On behalf of my NARUC colleagues and President Lisa Edgar, we congratulate Commissioner Patch on his new role,” said Charles Gray, NARUC Executive Director. “He is an excellent leader who is well-liked by his peers and who will be of great service to the NRRI.”
Recent past chairs have included Hon. Greg White (former commissioner, Michigan PSC), Hon. Betty Ann Kane (Chairman, District of Columbia PSC) and Hon. Phil Jones (Commissioner, Washington UTC).
The NRRI Board has 13 members (11 voting and 2 non-voting); of the 13, 11 are state commissioners, nine of which are appointed by the NARUC President to three-year staggered terms.
NRRI was founded in 1976 by NARUC. The two organizations are separate non-profit corporations, but are linked in multiple ways to ensure accountability. NRRI coordinates its activities to support NARUC’s policy, research, educational and member-support service to state commissions. NARUC’s Executive Committee receives regular reports on NRRI from its Second Vice President, who is an ex officio member of NRRI’s Board. Board’s Education and Research Subcommittee evaluates NRRI’s performance and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.
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NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.
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