Kavulla elected president of NARUC

Montana PSC Commissioner Travis Kavulla, R-Great Falls, has been elected president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

He will serve a one-year term.

"It is humbling to come from a state like Montana, with a small population, and to be entrusted by utility commissioners all across the nation with a large voice on energy, communications and water policy," said Kavulla, who represents a large swath of northern Montana.

Kavulla delivered remarks to a lunchtime audience of nearly 1,000 people in Austin, Texas Tuesday afternoon.

His speech heralded the technological revolution of the communications sector and indicated that the electric sector needed to be prepared for similar innovations. He highlighted the topics he will feature during his year at the helm of the organization, including the organization of the nation's wholesale electricity markets and the pricing of customer-owned generation. He also criticized what he referred to as 'rent-seeking behavior' that might result from EPA's regulation of carbon-dioxide emissions.

Commissioner Susan Ackerman, D-Oregon, nominated Commissioner Kavulla for the position, saying,

"I am just thrilled that Commissioner Kavulla is serving in this important role. Commissioner Kavulla has already provided substantial leadership on important regulatory and industry issues in the West. The West greatly appreciates his leadership at NARUC as well."

"Commissioner Travis Kavulla brings to NARUC a reasoned, logical perspective," said NARUC Immediate Past President Lisa Edgar of Florida. "He serves the Montana Commission well and he will bring that same level of dedication and leadership to our members."