PUC Chairwoman to Step Down in July
June 11, 2010
AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci announced today that Sharon Reishus is stepping down as the chairwoman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
”Sharon has been a strong chairwoman for the Commission as it has considered some of the largest and most complicated infrastructure projects in Maine history,” Governor Baldacci said. “She has been steadfast in defending the public interest, and expanding efforts to help businesses and consumers conserve electricity.”
During Reishus’ tenure, the Commission considered significant telecommunications, electric and natural gas utility cases that will have a lasting impact on Maine. In addition, Efficiency Maine, the energy efficiency program of the Commission, has expanded to better serve families and businesses, providing grants that have helped companies protect jobs and grow in Maine.
“Maine has been well-served by Sharon,” Governor Baldacci said. “She has treated people fairly while also working hard to protect Maine families and businesses.”
Reishus has been a national leader on energy issues, representing Maine at the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Eastern Interconnection State Planning Council (EISPC), and New England State Committee on Electricity (NESCOE). She is the past president of the New England Conference of Public Utility Commissioners (NECPUC).
As chairwoman, Reishus also led an internal reorganization of the staff to increase efficiency and effectiveness, transition to a new building in Hallowell, and facilitating the transition of the Commission’s Energy Division programs to the newly independent Efficiency Maine Trust.
Reishus will step down on July 12. Commissioner Jack Cashman will be named Acting Commission Chairman.
The Governor said he intends to nominate a new PUC Commissioner for consideration by the Legislature during a confirmation Special Session, which will likely be held later this summer.
Reishus was appointed Commissioner in July 2003 and appointed Chairwoman in May 2008. Before joining the Commission, Reishus was Director, North American Power, for the Cambridge Energy Research Associates. She was a staff analyst at the Commission from 1991 to 1998. She has also worked for Central Maine Power Company and for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.
Cashman was appointed to the Commission in August 2008. He has served as the Senior Economic Adviser to the Governor and as the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. He served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1982 to 1992 and the Old Town City Council from 1977 to 1983.
Contact: Evelyn deFrees, 207-287-6141 evelyn.defrees@maine.gov
