Resources

Awards and Scholarships

  • Terry Barnich Award for Promoting International Cooperation

    The Terry Barnich Award for Promoting International Cooperation Among Utility Regulators and Development of Professional Regulation is the highest honor bestowed by the NARUC Committee on International Relations. Presented annually, the award recognizes a commissioner or staff member from a state regulatory body or affiliated organization for outstanding contributions to NARUC’s international efforts.

    The award honors the memory of the former Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (1989 to 1992), Terrence "Terry" Barnich, who was killed on Memorial Day, May 25, 2009, while working as the Deputy Director of the State Department office overseeing U.S. reconstruction projects in Iraq. He was a dedicated public servant and an active NARUC member.

    Overview of the Terry Barnich Award (download)

  • Ray Baum Memorial Leadership Award

    This annual NARUC award was initiated to honor the memory of Ray Baum, who passed away in 2018. Ray was a long-time member of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners, the go-to Staffer on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and a nationally recognized expert on utility law. This award is given to a Staff member of the NARUC Staff Subcommittee on Telecommunications that best reflects his initiative and drive towards public service.

    Overview of the Ray Baum Award

  • Mary Kilmarx Award for Good Governance, Clean Energy and the Environment

    Since a NARUC resolution passed July 31, 2002, ERE has recognized individuals who have gone above and beyond in the name of good governance, clean energy, and the environment. The award was initiated in memory of Mary Kilmarx, who passed away in 2002 and had been a commissioner and long-time staff member of the Rhode Island PUC, and was a three-term representative in the Rhode Island legislature. Those who remember Mary remember a fun, positive, feisty woman.

    ERE opens nominations during the ERE Committee Business Meeting of the NARUC Annual Meeting and committee members select an awardee to be announced during the ERE Committee Business Meeting of the NARUC Winter Policy Summit. Please contact the ERE Staff Subcommittee Chair for more information.

  • Commission Staff Scholarships
    The Subcommittee on Education and Research is pleased to administer scholarship opportunities to support member attendance at NARUC-endorsed training courses. These opportunities are available for U.S. state-level commission staff. Each opportunity specifies their eligibility criteria and courses covered. In addition, eligibility for all scholarships is limited to Commission staff who have been employed for five (5) years or less in their current position and whose job duties are related to the content of the course to be attended. Individuals who have previously received a scholarship from any of these programs are not eligible for future scholarships.

    • NAWC Sharon Gascon Scholarship for the NARUC Utility Rate School
    • NARUC Utility Rate School Scholarship
    • Edison Electric Institute David K. Owens Scholarship
    • Center for Public Utilities at New Mexico State University Scholarship
  • Internships
    • Summer Internship Program
      Since 2011, the Subcommittee on Education and Research has facilitated summer internship programs for graduate students interested in the energy sector. Applications for state commissions to host interns are accepted and reviewed months prior to the start of internship sessions. The Subcommittee makes the final selection of commission hosts based on the level of interest and commitment to creating worthwhile internships. Selected host commissions then advertise and hire interns directly.
    • Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship
      The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy and Renewable Energy (EERE) is partnering with the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) to fund recent graduates and energy professionals, for up to two years, to support critical energy organizations to advance clean energy solutions, including focusing on grid resilience and innovative grid services within states, territories, and Tribal institutions. Public Utility Commissions are eligible as host institutions, and are highly encouraged to apply.