State Regulatory Relations

DOE Releases $46M Opportunity for PUCs

NARUC President Frederick Butler announced June 15 that the Department of Energy made available approximately $46 million exclusively for state public service commissions to perform work associated with the economic stimulus package.

Energy Department Secretary Steven Chu provided the details at a Western Governors’ Association meeting in Salt Lake City.

“On behalf of NARUC and my State public service commission colleagues across the country, I would like to thank Secretary Chu for this funding opportunity,” Butler said. “State regulators play a critical role in ensuring that our nation has the energy infrastructure it needs. This opportunity will bolster our ability to hire and retain the experts we need to perform our responsibilities effectively and efficiently.”

The funding is being made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and will be disbursed to the state public utility regulatory agencies in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. The amount of money available to each state will range from $763,577 to $1,686,869, depending on population.

The funding opportunity announcement specifies that the money can be used to: 1) Increase the capacity of state Public Utility Commissions to manage a significant increase in dockets and other regulatory actions resulting from ARRA electricity related activities; 2) Facilitate timely consideration by PUCs of ARRA-related investments; and 3) Create jobs.

Electricity related ARRA activities include, but are not limited to, energy efficiency, electricity-based renewable energy, energy storage, smart grid, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, demand-response equipment, coal with carbon capture and storage, and transmission.

Individual PUCs must apply for the funding by Aug. 31.

Jim Atterholt Newly Appointed Indiana Commissione

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels recently announced the appointment of Department of Insurance (DOI) Commissioner Jim Atterholt to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Greg Server.

“Jim totally transformed the department from a source of constant criticism to a nationally recognized source of pride,” said Gov. Daniels. “In both the core mission of consumer protection and the improvement of Indiana as a good environment for insurance jobs, everyone agrees that his tenure has been a spectacular success.”

Commissioner Atterholt was appointed DOI commissioner in 2005. During his tenure, he led agency reform efforts to make DOI more responsive to consumers and the insurance industry while strengthening the department’s commitment to consumer protection. Commissioner Atterholt also initiated a program to provide DOI assistance to Indiana victims of natural disasters who are having problems with insurance claims. Since 2005, the DOI has set record numbers with respect to the dollars recovered for consumers who filed insurance-related complaints.

Commissioner Atterholt served as a state representative from 1998 to 2002, during which he served on the Commerce Committee. He then worked as the director of state government affairs for AT&T Indiana from 2003 to 2004. Commissioner Atterholt previously served as a congressional aide in Indiana and in Washington, D.C., where his responsibilities included energy issues.

Western Member States Conference Holds Successful Meeting

The Western Member States Conference was held from June 6–10 at the Mauna Lani Resort in Kohala, Hawaii.

Peter Nelson, CEO and president of California Water Service Group, and Paul Foran, vice president of regulatory programs at American Water, presented on the panel, “Sustainable Water Supply: What Best Practices Will Keep the Tap Running?” The panel was moderated by the Honorable David King, commissioner at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.

MARC Holds Successful Meeting

The Mid-America Regulatory Commissioners Conference (MARC) was held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Mich., June 14–17.

James Kalinovich, vice president and treasurer of American Water, presented on the panel, “Wall Street: Drop, Stock, & Barrel.” David Baker, president of Indiana American Water Company, presented on the panel, “Regulation in a Climate Conscious World.” Karla Teasley, president of Illinois American Water Company, presented on the panel, “Green Communities.” Kimberly Joyce, manager of regulatory affairs at Aqua America, Inc. presented on the panel, “Pipeline Safety & Efficiency.” The presentations will be available soon at marc-conference.org/2009

MACRUC Holds Successful Meeting

The Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (MACRUC) met June 21–24 in Hershey, Penn., at the Hershey Hotel.

William Varley, president of Long Island Water Company, and Walton Hill, senior vice president of United Water Resources, participated in a panel, “Energy Conservation and Demand-Side Management: How Can the Water Industry We Regulate Help to Reduce Forecasted Electric Demand?” The panel was moderated by the Honorable Pat Acampora, commissionerof the New York State Public Service Commission.

Nicholas DeBenedictis, chairman, CEO and president of Aqua America participated on a panel, “Attracting Capital for Energy & Water Projects in an Uncertain Market.” Panelists discussed the following topics: how electric and natural gas projects will finance their way into existence; how water companies will finance their capital goals for new and replacement pipes, and health and safety requirements; and the challenges of raising capital in the throes of the financial crisis. Commissioner Larry Brenner of Maryland moderated the panel.

The presentations will be available soon at http://macruc.narucmeetings.org

SEARUC Holds Successful Meeting

The Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC) met June 21–24 at the Charleston Place in Charleston, S.C.

Chris Franklin, regional president of Aqua America presented on the panel, “Sustainable Water Supply – What Best Practices Will Keep the Tap Running?” The Honorable John "Butch" Howard, commissioner of the South Carolina Public Service Commission, moderated the discussion.

The presentations will be available soon at http://www.psc.sc.gov/searuc2009/