Commissioner Watch

Tracking appointments, reappointments, and departures across all U.S. state public utility commissions.

55
Total Changes
29
New Appointments
14
Departures
April 2026
April 30, 2026·DelawareDeparture
Dallas Winslow
Delaware Public Service Commission

Dallas Winslow departed of the Delaware Public Service Commission.

Why it matters

Dallas Winslow's departure from the Delaware Public Service Commission removes a known quantity from a relatively small, five-member commission where individual votes carry significant weight, making his replacement's regulatory philosophy critical to watch for pending and upcoming rate cases involving Delmarva Power and other utilities operating in the state. Government affairs teams should monitor the gubernatorial appointment process closely, as the new commissioner's background — whether rooted in consumer advocacy, utility industry experience, or environmental policy — will likely signal the Commission's directional tilt on grid modernization cost recovery, offshore wind interconnection proceedings, and rate design disputes. Stakeholders with active dockets or anticipated filings should consider engaging early in the confirmation process to assess and, where possible, shape the emerging regulatory dynamic.

April 29, 2026·TexasAppointment
Patrick Rhode

H2O America (HTO) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript - AOL.com

April 29, 2026·CaliforniaAppointment
Christine Harada
California Public Utilities Commission

Christine Harada appointmented of the California Public Utilities Commission.

April 29, 2026·CaliforniaDeparture
Alice Reynolds
California Public Utilities Commission

Alice Reynolds departed of the California Public Utilities Commission.

April 29, 2026·New JerseyAppointment
Joseph Coviello
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Joseph Coviello appointmented of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

April 29, 2026·New JerseyAppointment
Emma Rebhorn
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Emma Rebhorn appointmented of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

April 29, 2026·North CarolinaAppointment
John Gajda
North Carolina Utilities Commission

John Gajda appointmented of the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

April 29, 2026·North DakotaAppointment
Sheri O. Haugen-Hoffart
North Dakota Public Service Commission

Sheri O. Haugen-Hoffart appointmented of the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

April 29, 2026·North DakotaDeparture
Sheri Haugen-Hoffart
North Dakota Public Service Commission

Sheri Haugen-Hoffart departed of the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

April 29, 2026·South CarolinaAppointment
Stephen "Mike" Caston
South Carolina Public Service Commission

Stephen "Mike" Caston appointmented of the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

April 29, 2026·South CarolinaAppointment
Eugene Hennelly
South Carolina Public Service Commission

Eugene Hennelly appointmented of the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

April 29, 2026·South CarolinaAppointment
Swain Whitfield
South Carolina Public Service Commission

Swain Whitfield appointmented of the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

April 29, 2026·South CarolinaDeparture
Mike M. Caston
South Carolina Public Service Commission

Mike M. Caston departed of the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

April 29, 2026·South CarolinaDeparture
Headen B. Thomas
South Carolina Public Service Commission

Headen B. Thomas departed of the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

April 29, 2026·South CarolinaDeparture
Carolee L. Williams
South Carolina Public Service Commission

Carolee L. Williams departed of the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

April 29, 2026·TexasAppointment
Patrick Rhode
Public Utility Commission of Texas

Patrick Rhode appointmented of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

February 2026
February 18, 2026·CaliforniaDeparture
Alice ReynoldsPresident
California Public Utilities Commission

President Alice Reynolds stepped down from the CPUC after Gov. Newsom designated a new president, joining the CAISO Board of Governors.

February 18, 2026·CaliforniaElevation
John ReynoldsPresident
California Public Utilities Commission

Gov. Newsom elevated Commissioner John Reynolds to CPUC President, citing affordability and wildfire spending oversight as top priorities.

February 18, 2026·CaliforniaAppointment
Christine HaradaCommissioner
California Public Utilities Commission

Gov. Newsom appointed Christine Harada as CPUC Commissioner; she previously served as Undersecretary of the California Government Operations Agency and as a senior advisor in the Biden OMB.

February 13, 2026·North CarolinaAppointment
John W. GajdaCommissioner
North Carolina Utilities Commission

Gov. Josh Stein appointed John Gajda, a 30-year utility industry veteran with experience at Duke Energy, NCUC staff, and electric cooperatives.

January 2026
January 14, 2026·HawaiiAppointment
Jon ItomuraChair
Hawaii Public Utilities Commission

Gov. Josh Green appointed longtime consumer advocate Jon Itomura as PUC Chair, succeeding Leo Asuncion who stepped down in November 2025.

January 12, 2026·KansasReappointment
Dwight D. KeenCommissioner
Kansas Corporation Commission

Gov. Laura Kelly reappointed Dwight D. Keen to a third term on the Kansas Corporation Commission, confirmed by the Senate on February 5, 2026; term expires March 2030.

January 12, 2026·MarylandElevation
Kumar P. BarveChair
Maryland Public Service Commission

Gov. Wes Moore designated Kumar P. Barve as Chair of the Maryland PSC; Barve previously served 32 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, including as majority leader.

January 12, 2026·New JerseyAppointment
Emma RebhornCommissioner
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Nominated by Gov. Murphy and unanimously confirmed by the New Jersey Senate, Rebhorn brings clean energy policy and climate strategy expertise to the BPU.

January 12, 2026·New JerseyAppointment
Joseph CovielloCommissioner
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Nominated by Gov. Murphy and unanimously confirmed by the New Jersey Senate, Coviello previously served as Deputy Executive Director of the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority.

January 2, 2026·FloridaDeparture
Art GrahamCommissioner
Florida Public Service Commission

Former Chairman Art Graham's term expired and he departed the Florida PSC after years of service, including a tenure as chair.

January 2, 2026·FloridaDeparture
Andrew FayCommissioner
Florida Public Service Commission

Former Chairman Andrew Fay's term expired and he departed the Florida PSC; Fay had previously served as chair of the commission.

January 2, 2026·FloridaAppointment
Ana OrtegaCommissioner
Florida Public Service Commission

Gov. DeSantis appointed Ana Ortega, previously chief policy adviser to PSC Chair Mike La Rosa, to the Florida PSC for a term beginning January 2, 2026.

January 2, 2026·FloridaAppointment
Bobby PayneCommissioner
Florida Public Service Commission

Gov. DeSantis appointed Bobby Payne, a former Seminole Electric Cooperative executive and eight-year Republican Florida House member, to the PSC.

January 1, 2026·GeorgiaDeparture
Tim EcholsCommissioner
Georgia Public Service Commission

Incumbent Commissioner Tim Echols lost his re-election bid to Democrat Alicia Johnson in the November 2025 special election and departed the PSC on January 1, 2026.

January 1, 2026·GeorgiaDeparture
Fitz JohnsonCommissioner
Georgia Public Service Commission

Incumbent Commissioner Fitz Johnson lost his re-election bid to Democrat Peter Hubbard in the November 2025 special election and departed the PSC on January 1, 2026.

January 1, 2026·GeorgiaAppointment
Alicia JohnsonCommissioner
Georgia Public Service Commission

Dr. Alicia Johnson won the District 2 special election in November 2025, becoming the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Georgia and the first Democrat on the PSC in nearly 20 years.

January 1, 2026·GeorgiaAppointment
Peter HubbardCommissioner
Georgia Public Service Commission

Peter Hubbard won the District 3 special election in November 2025, joining Alicia Johnson to flip both Republican-held seats and return Democrats to the Georgia PSC for the first time since 2007.

November 2025
November 17, 2025·HawaiiDeparture
Leo AsuncionChair
Hawaii Public Utilities Commission

PUC Chair Leo Asuncion abruptly stepped down on November 17, 2025 amid rising public outcry over high utility rates in Hawaii.

August 2025
August 1, 2025·New JerseyDeparture
Marian AbdouCommissioner
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Commissioner Marian Abdou resigned from the NJBPU effective August 1, 2025, departing at a critical moment as New Jersey ratepayers faced rising summer energy bills.

July 2025
July 31, 2025·North CarolinaElevation
William M. BrawleyChair
North Carolina Utilities Commission

Commissioner William Brawley was elected by his fellow commissioners to serve as Chair of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, effective July 31, 2025.

July 21, 2025·MichiganAppointment
Shaquila MyersCommissioner
Michigan Public Service Commission

Gov. Whitmer appointed Shaquila Myers, former senior advisor to the Governor and chief of staff to the Michigan House Speaker, to replace departing Commissioner Alessandra Carreon.

July 18, 2025·MichiganDeparture
Alessandra CarreonCommissioner
Michigan Public Service Commission

Commissioner Alessandra Carreon, widely seen as a clean energy advocate, departed the MPSC after Gov. Whitmer declined to reappoint her; she subsequently became Michigan's Chief Climate Officer at EGLE.

July 1, 2025·MarylandAppointment
Ryan C. McLeanCommissioner
Maryland Public Service Commission

Gov. Wes Moore appointed Ryan C. 'Chuck' McLean to the Maryland PSC; McLean previously served as the Commission's Chief Public Utility Law Judge for nearly seven years.

June 2025
June 4, 2025·PennsylvaniaReappointment
Stephen M. DeFrankChair
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously confirmed Stephen DeFrank to a second term as Commissioner and PUC Chair on June 4, 2025; his new term extends through April 1, 2030.

June 1, 2025·OregonElevation
Letha TawneyChair
Oregon Public Utility Commission

Gov. Kotek appointed Commissioner Letha Tawney as Chair of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, bringing new leadership as utilities navigated rising rate pressures.

May 2025
May 19, 2025·IowaElevation
Sarah MartzChair
Iowa Utilities Commission

Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Sarah Martz as Chair of the Iowa Utilities Commission; she had been serving as a commissioner since May 2023.

March 2025
March 3, 2025·WashingtonAppointment
Brian RybarikChair
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed ex-Microsoft sustainability executive Brian Rybarik as UTC Chair, replacing David Danner who retired in December 2024; Rybarik brings 20 years of energy regulatory experience.

February 2025
February 26, 2025·IllinoisReappointment
Doug ScottChair
Illinois Commerce Commission

The Illinois Senate confirmed Doug Scott to a new five-year term as ICC Chairman on February 26, 2025, following his reappointment by Gov. Pritzker in January 2024.

January 2025
January 30, 2025·MinnesotaAppointment
Audrey PartridgeCommissioner
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

Gov. Tim Walz appointed Audrey Partridge to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on January 30, 2025, citing her experience in the state's clean energy transition.

January 14, 2025·OregonAppointment
Karin PowerCommissioner
Oregon Public Utility Commission

Gov. Tina Kotek appointed state Rep. Karin Power — previously Kotek's Natural Resources and Climate Advisor — as a commissioner of the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

January 12, 2025·ColoradoReappointment
Eric BlankChair
Colorado Public Utilities Commission

Gov. Jared Polis reappointed Eric Blank for a second four-year term as PUC Chairman, effective January 12, 2025; the Colorado Senate confirmed the appointment on April 9, 2025.

January 7, 2025·ArizonaElevation
Kevin ThompsonChair
Arizona Corporation Commission

The newly seated Arizona Corporation Commission unanimously elected Commissioner Kevin Thompson as Chair on January 7, 2025.

January 6, 2025·ArizonaAppointment
Rachel WaldenCommissioner
Arizona Corporation Commission

Rachel Walden was sworn in to the Arizona Corporation Commission on January 6, 2025, beginning her first term after winning election in November 2024.

January 6, 2025·ArizonaAppointment
Rene LopezCommissioner
Arizona Corporation Commission

Rene Lopez was sworn in to the Arizona Corporation Commission on January 6, 2025, beginning his first term after winning election in November 2024.

January 2, 2025·FloridaReappointment
Gary F. ClarkCommissioner
Florida Public Service Commission

Gary F. Clark began his second term as a Florida PSC Commissioner on January 2, 2025, reappointed through the state's nominating council process.

January 1, 2025·New MexicoAppointment
Greg NibertCommissioner
New Mexico Public Regulation Commission

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed former state Senator Greg Nibert, a lawyer and economist, to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission for a six-year term beginning January 1, 2025.

February 2024
February 2, 2024·New JerseyAppointment
Michael BangeCommissioner
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy and unanimously confirmed by the NJ Senate in December 2023, Bange brought 35 years of water utility operations experience from NJ American Water — where he oversaw service to 650,000+ customers — to the Board. As Gov. Murphy's final confirmed commissioner before the gubernatorial transition, his appointment signaled a commitment to infrastructure-first, customer-service-oriented regulation. Now serving as NARUC's Water Committee Chair, his field-level perspective on reliability and affordability is directly relevant to the active PSE&G and JCP&L rate cases and NJ's broader grid modernization agenda.

September 2023
September 11, 2023·New JerseyElevation
Christine Guhl-SadovyPresident
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Appointed Commissioner by Gov. Phil Murphy in June 2023 and elevated to NJBPU President in September, Guhl-Sadovy is the Board's chief executive and the most senior voice in any NJ utility proceeding. A former Murphy Cabinet Secretary and NJBPU Chief of Staff under President Fiordaliso, she helped architect the offshore wind and community solar agenda she now administers. Anyone engaged in NJ utility proceedings — rate cases, grid modernization, offshore wind, broadband — works through her office. Under Gov. Sherrill's affordability emergency, she is navigating the central tension of the current regulatory moment: honoring Murphy-era clean energy commitments while responding to ratepayer cost pressure as PSE&G and JCP&L rate cases advance.

August 2022
August 15, 2022·New JerseyAppointment
Zenon ChristodoulouCommissioner
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy in August 2022, Dr. Christodoulou is the longest-tenured current NJBPU commissioner at 3.5 years — a meaningful signal of institutional continuity in a period of board turnover. His academic background (25 years as adjunct professor, doctoral work in organizational behavior) and business consulting career shape a consumer-centric proceeding posture: as NARUC's Consumer and Public Interest Committee Chair and an OPSI executive board member, he has consistently emphasized ratepayer impact in regulatory decisions. That institutional memory matters as the Board navigates the BGS auction cycle and Gov. Sherrill's affordability emergency.

Covering 2025–2026. Data sourced from governor press releases, commission websites, and news reports. Send corrections to info@regulatorindex.com.