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Kelly Speakes-Backman
Kelly Speakes-Backman is a former member of the Maryland Public Service Commission. She served in this position from September 2011 until June 2015.[1]
Biography
Speakes-Backman spent 20 years in the fields of energy, sustainability, renewable energy and environmental business strategies. In 2010, she became the Clean Energy Director at the Maryland Energy Administration, working to increase Maryland's renewable energy portfolio.[1]
Education
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Boston University
Political career
Maryland Public Service Commission (2011-2015)
Speakes-Backman began her tenure on the Maryland Public Service Commission on September 12, 2011.[1] Her term expired in September 2014, but she remained with the commission until June 2015 at the request of Governor Larry Hogan (R) in order to participate in the decision to merge Chicago-based Exelon with utility company Pepco holdings. The merger was approved on May 15, 2015, with Speakes-Backman voting in its favor.[2]
Following the merger and her subsequent resignation in June 2015, Speakes-Backman was criticized by environmental advocates for assuming a position with The Alliance to Save Energy, a private company partially funded by Exelon and whose vice chairman is also an executive at Exelon. Speakes-Backman applied for the job in February 2015 and discontinued interviews upon learning of the connection to Exelon, then contacted the Alliance again after the vote took place. She was offered a position on May 18, three days after the vote to approve the merger.[3]
"There’s no connection there whatsoever," Speakes-Backman responded to the accusations of conflict of interest. "I followed the evidence in front of me," she stated regarding her vote on the merger.[3]
Appointments
2011
Speakes-Backman was appointed to the Maryland Public Service Commission by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) effective September 12, 2011, with her term ending September 2014.[1]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Kelly + Speakes-Backman + Maryland "
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Maryland Public Service Commission, "Commissioner Speakes-Backman," accessed September 6, 2012
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Maryland approves Exelon-Pepco merger," May 15, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Washington Post, "Advocates: Md. utilities commissioner should’ve skipped Pepco-Exelon vote," June 26, 2015
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
Maryland Public Service Commission 2011 - Present |
Succeeded by Jeannette M. Mills |
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