Wisconsin's Nowak Appointed to NARUC Governing Boards

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2015
Contact: Robert J. Thormeyer, 202-898-9382, rthormeyer@naruc.org

WASHINGTON—National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President Lisa Edgar of Florida has appointed Commissioner Ellen Nowak of Wisconsin as a member of the Association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Commissioner Nowak replaces former NARUC President Colette Honorable of Arkansas, who recently became a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Commissioner Nowak begins her term immediately.

The NARUC Executive Committee consists of the Association’s three elected officers—President and First and Second Vice President—an appointed Treasurer and at least one other member to ensure all five of the Association’s regional organizations are represented; Commissioner Nowak will represent the Mid-America Regulatory Conference. The Executive Committee provides general administrative oversight of the Association.

NARUC’s Board of Directors, meanwhile, consists of 20 members, including members of the Association's Executive Committee and each Past-President who is still active within the organization. As the supervisory body, the Board oversees NARUC’s financial functions and approves resolutions that serve as the Association's policy.

“Commissioner Nowak will be an outstanding addition to NARUC’s governing panels,” President Edgar said. “She is already an active member of the Association and has demonstrated her commitment by volunteering to serve on numerous initiatives. I look forward to welcoming her into our leadership ranks. I would also like to thank Past President Honorable for her devotion to NARUC and its mission. Although she is no longer a State regulator, she will always be part of the family.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to have been nominated and appointed to the NARUC Board of Directors and the Executive Committee by President Edgar,” said Commissioner Nowak. “As State regulators, it is imperative that we work together to further the goals of each State’s commission and ensure that the ratepayers throughout the nation are listened to and protected. This appointment gives Wisconsin a seat at the table on the national level.”

Commissioner Nowak was appointed to the Public Service Commission in July 2011 by Governor Scott Walker and was reconfirmed to a six-year term in March 2013. Within NARUC, she is a member of the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment and the Eastern Interconnection States’ Planning Council. Commissioner Nowak also serves on the Advisory Council to the Electric Power Research Institute.