Contact: Regina Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org

New Leadership Announced at NARUC Winter Policy Summit

WASHINGTON (February 9, 2021) — Commissioner Maria Bocanegra of the Illinois Commerce Commission was appointed as the new chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Committee on Water. The announcement was made during the Association’s Winter Policy Summit. She replaces Commissioner Eric Anderson (Idaho Public Service Commission), who announced the leadership change during the committee’s business meeting.

The Committee on Water works to increase awareness and understanding of issues surrounding uses and reuses of water and wastewater. Through policy resolutions, panel discussions and participation in high-level events, the committee works closely with several agency and stakeholder groups, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Association of Water Companies and the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators

Along with Bocanegra, Commissioner David Ober (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission) and Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson (Arizona Corporation Committee) were announced as co-vice chairs. 

Bocanegra was appointed to a four-year term to the ICC in 2019. She served previously as an arbitrator at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, held the Public Seat on the Labor Advisory Board for the Illinois Department of Labor and, as an attorney with Katz Friedman, handled workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. She earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Quincy University.

“I think we have assembled an excellent team to lead the committee,” said NARUC President Paul Kjellander. “Commissioner Bocanegra’s previous work on the committee, along with her very engaged co-chairs, has us well-positioned to continue examining important water issues affecting our communities.

“We also thank Commissioner Anderson for helping to guide the Water Committee over the past year and for the important role he has played in helping with the transition to new committee leadership.”  

NARUC's eight standing committees propose resolutions that, if approved by the Board of Directors, set Association policy on congressional, federal and industry matters. The committees, populated by state public service commissioners, also hold educational sessions and panel discussions on relevant issues to best serve NARUC members.

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About NARUC

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.