Press Release

PUC Chairman Holland Announces Appointment of Nationally Recognized Energy Policy Expert to Staff

Published on 10/1/2004

Filed under: Electric Gas

HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Wendell F. Holland today announced the appointment of Dr. Rajnish Barua, a nationally recognized energy expert, as his policy adviser on energy issues such as the reliability and affordability of electricity service.

Dr. Barua j oins Carol Kozloff, Teri Mathias, Verdina Showell, Esq. and Frank Sparrow on the Chairman’s staff. Gov. Edward G. Rendell named Holland as PUC Chairman on Sept. 30.

“I am very pleased to welcome Raj to my team,” Chairman Holland said. “ He will be an asset not only to me, but to our Commission and our Commonwealth. Raj has direct experience in matters related to the Provider of Last Resort (POLR) issue; our regional transmission operator, PJM Interconnection; and economic development.  Moreover, he has been very active in energy matters involving the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and monitoring federal energy legislation. ”

Dr. Barua has nearly 20 years of experience in the energy field, most recently as Director of Integrated Resource Planning at the Maryland Public Service Commission.

Dr. Barua specialized in energy policy and received a doctorate from the University of Delaware , and taught a graduate-level course in electricity regulatory policy and technology planning. He is currently a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Electricity Staff Sub-Committee and Vice Chairman of the International Relations Staff Sub-Committee. He also has been involved with international delegations and participated in technical conferences on electricity regulation in several developing nations.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition.

For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

• Tom Charles
  Director of Communications
  717-787-9504
  thcharles@pa.gov