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Tennessee's Roberson Appointed as Chair of Education and Research Panel

WASHINGTON—National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President David Coen appointed Commissioner Eddie Roberson of Tennessee as Chairman of the Association’s Subcommittee on Education and Research.

The Subcommittee on Education and Research, now in its fourth year, serves a dual purpose: One, it analyzes whether NARUC’s existing education and training programs, including ongoing relationships with several universities, are meeting the needs of its membership; Second, it focuses on helping the regulatory workforce confront two realities—the relatively short tenure of commissioner service and the pending retirement of many experienced commission staff.

Commissioner Roberson has served on the Subcommittee since its January 2007 inception. He replaces Commissioner John Betkoski of Connecticut, whose term as chairman expired.

“The utility industries from energy to telecommunications are facing dramatic changes,” President Coen said. “With our consumers struggling to keep afloat during these difficult economic times, NARUC must ensure that our nation’s regulators have access to the best educational resources available. Commissioner Roberson will bring strong consumer-oriented credentials and a unique perspective to this important subcommittee. I am grateful that he is stepping up to serve. I also want to thank Commissioner Betokoski for his energetic leadership in getting the subcommittee started and making it an essential piece of the NARUC foundation. Our members and, by extension, the nation’s ratepayers are better off because of his vision and enthusiasm.”

Since January 2007, the subcommittee has launched a number of initiatives, including the twice-a-year New Commissioner Training program, and has developed a mechanism to analyze educational partnership opportunities. The panel meets three times a year, following NARUC’s regular meeting schedule. With a limited budget and plethora of educational options, the subcommittee determines if there are other programs and policies the Association should be considering.

Commissioner Roberson was appointed to the Tennessee Regulatory Authority in 2006 and was reappointed in 2008. He served as Chairman of the TRA in 2007-2008. Within NARUC, Commissioner Roberson serves on the committees on Consumer Affairs and Gas. He also serves on the Advisory Council of the Center for Public Utilities at the University of New Mexico. Before his 2006 appointment, Commissioner Roberson served as the TRA’s Executive Director.
 

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.