Governor Appoints New DPU Commissioners
BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper appointed Jeremy McDiarmid to serve as Chair and Liz Anderson to serve as Commissioner at the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), joining Commissioner Staci Rubin.
McDiarmid and Anderson will succeed Chair James Van Nostrand and Commissioner Cecile Fraser.
"As the federal government tries to take energy sources off the table and hikes up customer bills, Massachusetts needs to focus on two things: more supply and lower costs," said Governor Maura Healey. "We are appointing two leaders with deep expertise in affordability and getting energy infrastructure built to continue to advance these priorities for our residents and businesses."
McDiarmid is a veteran energy leader with nearly two decades of experience in policy, regulation, and organizational management. He has been a leading voice in New England on the integration of clean energy resources into the regional grid and energy markets. McDiarmid currently serves as Managing Director and General Counsel for the national business association Advanced Energy United. During that time, McDiarmid served on Governor Healey's Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting, led multiple efforts at the intersection of clean energy and affordability, and developed policies to support advanced transmission technologies in multiple states. Previously, he served as Vice President for Policy & Government Affairs at the Northeast Clean Energy Council, leading efforts to develop new interconnection policies and opening market opportunities for energy companies. He has served in leadership roles at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Acadia Center, helping shape the state's energy efficiency programs and climatech industry. He practiced law at a private firm in Boston and served in key roles at the Department of Energy Resources and Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and Boston College Law School.
"I'm honored to be joining the all-star team at the DPU and am grateful to Governor Healey and Secretary Tepper for this appointment," said McDiarmid. "The DPU is key to unlocking more energy to contain costs for customers. I'll be focused on cutting red tape to get energy infrastructure built, optimizing the grid, and accelerating interconnection, all so residents and businesses have the reliable power they need at an affordable price. Building on the leadership of Chair Van Nostrand, Commissioner Fraser, and Commissioner Rubin, I'm looking forward to connecting with DPU staff across divisions and making sure the DPU is the best place to work, grow, and advance Massachusetts' energy future."
Anderson is one of Massachusetts' leading authorities on energy affordability and consumer protection with significant experience in ratemaking. She is currently the Chief of the Energy and Ratepayer Advocacy Division in the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell. As Division Chief, Anderson oversees the Office's ratepayer advocacy at the DPU, ISO-New England and New England Power Pool, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as well as the AG's consumer protection enforcement practice related to retail electric suppliers and solar companies. She has spent over ten years in various roles at the AG's Office, including Deputy Division Chief, Assistant Attorney General, and Managing Attorney advocating for consumers in a wide range of matters concerning electricity, gas, and water regulation. Anderson was also an associate for Rich May, P.C. in the firm's Energy, Renewables & Regulated Industries Group. Anderson currently serves on the Executive Committee for the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) and previously served as Vice Chair of the NASUCA Consumer Protection Committee as well as Chair of the Coordinating Committee for ISO New England's Consumer Liaison Group. Anderson is a graduate of New England School of Law and received her B.A. from the University of Virginia.
"I have spent my career in DPU dockets, fighting for Massachusetts ratepayers," said Anderson. "I join the DPU with a renewed commitment to consumer protection and lowering bills. I'm particularly looking forward to hitting the ground running to implement the Governor's energy affordability legislation – capping monthly bill increases, getting charges off bills, and rate reform that makes a difference for Massachusetts families."
McDiarmid will take over for Commissioner Fraser as a member of the Commission on September 29. Anderson will succeed Van Nostrand on October 20, at which point McDiarmid will serve as Chair.
Governor Healey's Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act tasks the DPU and Energy Facilities Siting Board with enhanced authority to lower costs for customers, including reforming all charges on bills, establishing a cap on month-to-month bill increases, providing flexibility in how electric power supply is purchased, reining in predatory competitive suppliers, greater oversight over transmission costs, and requirements for comprehensive load management planning. The DPU is currently implementing An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers, which creates a fairer, faster siting process for new energy projects based the recommendations of the Governor's Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting.
