Dive Brief:
- Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has announced a pair of appointees to the state's Public Utilities Commission that bring almost six decades of energy and regulatory experience to the agency.
- Hickenlooper has appointed Jeff Ackermann and Wendy Moser to the PUC, and tapped Ackermann to serve as chairman.
- PUC Commissioner Glenn Vaad has announced he intends to retire on Jan. 9 at the end of his term, and Commission Chairman Joshua Epel announced in December he would retire early, leaving the commission this month as well.Epel was appointed chairman of the PUC in 2011, and was re-appointed in 2014 by Hickenlooper; his term was set to expire in 2019.
Dive Insight:
Colorado kicks off the new year with a new set of utility regulators coming on board, and both appointments are effective next week.
According to a statement from Hickenlooper's office, Ackermann has more than three decades of experience in state government and the energy sector, while serving as the executive director of the Colorado Energy Office for four years.
Ackermann developed a markets-based approach at the CEO to help impact and transform end-use markets, the governor's office said. Moser currently serves as senior manager at Charter Communications. The governor's office touted her "vast experience in telecommunications and utilities, and more than 25 years of experience in regulatory law."
“Jeff has proven to be a skilled leader during his work as director of the Colorado Energy Office,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “Wendy brings an impressive track record in telecommunications and energy."
Departing Chairman Epel will step down two years ahead of the end of his term. He was appointed chairman of the PUC in 2011, and was re-appointed in 2014 by Hickenlooper; his term was set to expire in 2019. He has not indicated any future plans for life after the commission. “We’ve had major dockets this year and it’s time to try a new adventure," he told the Denver Business Journal, following his announcement.
