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For Immediate Release: September 1, 2010
Contact: Rob Thormeyer, 202-898-9382, rthormeyer@naruc.org

State Regulators Launch Smart Grid Working Group

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners established a working group to analyze smart-grid issues that will interact with the federal government and other stakeholders.

The Smart Grid Working Group consists of seven State utility regulators who represent the Association’s geographic diversity and most relevant committees—Electricity, Telecommunications, Energy Resources and the Environment, Critical Infrastructure, Consumer Affairs, and the Executive committees. The Working Group is co-chaired by Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu of Michigan and Commissioner Maureen Harris of New York.

NARUC formed the Working Group to serve as the central focus for communication both within the Association and to outside groups such as federal agencies, consumer groups, and other industry stakeholders.

“The smart grid is perhaps the hottest topic in the utility sector,” said NARUC President David Coen. “It is touching off a rapid convergence between telecommunications and energy companies. Our members stand on the frontlines of ensuring that the promise of the Smart Grid meets with the needs of the consumer. I thank Commissioners Isiogu and Harris for taking leadership of this Working Group.”

Aside from Co-Chairs Harris and Isiogu, the following NARUC members were appointed to the Working Group: Commissioner Colette Honorable of Arkansas (Executive Committee and Gas Committee), Commissioner Paul Centolella of Ohio (Energy Resources and the Environment), Commissioner Lib Fleming (Critical Infrastructure), Commissioner Jack Betkoski of Connecticut (Consumer Affairs), and Commissioner Susan Ackerman of Oregon (Electricity).

“We look forward to working with our State colleagues and others in addressing these issues,” said Co-Chairs Harris and Isiogu. “If the smart grid is going to be successful, we must make sure that industry, regulators, and, most important, consumers are on the same page. The Smart Grid Working Group will help us achieve that goal.”
 

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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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