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For Immediate Release: October 18, 2011
Contact: Rob Thormeyer, 202-898-9382, rthormeyer@naruc.org

Missouri's Jarrett Named NARUC Critical Infrastructure Committee Chair

WASHINGTON—State utility regulators selected Commissioner Terry Jarrett of Missouri to head a national committee focusing on utility infrastructure concerns.

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Committee on Critical Infrastructure gives State regulators a forum to identify, study, and propose solutions to utility infrastructure security and delivery concerns, with a particular focus on natural gas, electricity, water and telecommunications services. NARUC formed the committee after the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

Commissioner Jarrett, appointed by NARUC President Tony Clark of North Dakota, is replacing Commissioner Elizabeth “Lib” Fleming of South Carolina, whose term as chair is expiring.

“Few industries are as critical to the economic wellbeing of our country than the utility sectors,” said NARUC President Clark. “I am thankful Commissioner Jarrett is stepping up and serving his fellow regulators on this important committee. His leadership will ensure that our members will have the resources they need. I want to thank Commissioner Fleming for her strong stewardship of this committee for the past three years.”

Commissioner Jarrett was appointed to the Missouri PSC in late 2007 and confirmed by Missouri lawmakers in January 2008. Within NARUC, he is a member of the Association’s Committee on Gas, and the Subcommittee on Clean Coal and Carbon Sequestration. In addition, he serves as Chair of the Missouri Universal Service Board, established in March 2002 to help low-income and disabled Missourians receive additional discounts for basic local telephone service.

“From natural disasters to cybersecurity, we are always reminded of the need to secure our utility infrastructure resources,” said Commissioner Jarrett. “This committee serves a vital need for our members, ratepayers, and the utility industry and I look forward to working with my colleagues so we can ensure that our infrastructure is safe, reliable, and resilient.”

Prior to joining the PSC, Commissioner Jarrett was the Presiding Commissioner of the Administrative Hearing Commission.  He formerly served as general counsel to Matt Blunt in both the Office of the Governor and the Office of the Secretary of State.
 

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.