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Massachusetts Public Utilities Commission
| Massachusetts Public Utilities Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Total Seats: | 3 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Two are appointed for a term coterminous with that of the governor, and one is appointed for a term of 4 years |
| Authority: | Part I, Title II, Chapter 25, Section 2 of the General Laws of Massachusetts |
| Leadership: | Ann Berwick |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs |
| Other Massachusetts Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Secretary of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs • Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development • Public Utilities Commission | |
Contents |
The Commission supervises and controls the Department of Public Utilities.
Current officeholder
The current chair is Ann Berwick. She was appointed to the position in 2010. Jolette Westbrook and David Cash serve as commissioners.
Authority
The Public Utilities Commission is established by Part I, Title II, Chapter 25, Section 2 of the General Laws of Massachusetts:
| The department shall be under the supervision and control of the commonwealth utilities commission, in this chapter called the commission, which shall consist of 3 members... |
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office, although the General Laws of Massachusetts state that all members of the public utilities commission are required to have a "background or expertise in electricity or natural gas matters."[2]
Appointments
In accordance with Part I, Title II, Chapter 25, Section 2 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, all three members are appointed by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Two are appointed for a term coterminous with that of the governor, and one is appointed for a term of 4 years.
The Secretary designates one commissioner to serve as chairman for a period of two years, with the possibility of reappointment, subject to the approval of the governor.[2]
Term limits
Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the secretary of energy and environmental affairs and the sitting governor, and can be reappointed for unlimited number of terms.[2]
Compensation
In 2010, Massachusetts Public Utilities Commissioners were paid an estimated $159,137 according to the Council of State Governments.[3]
See also
Contact information
Department of Public Utilities
One South Station
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-305-3500
External links
References
- ↑ Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, "Department of Public Utilities," accessed September 24, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "General Laws," accessed October 16, 2012
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved June 25, 2011
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