Utility Business

PUC Appoints Texas Energy Reliability Council Members

Oct. 19, 2021

TERC exists to “ensure that the energy and electric industries in this state meet high priority human needs and address critical infrastructure concerns”

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is placing eight appointees to the newly formed Texas Energy Reliability Council (TERC), created by Senate Bill 3 in the 87th regular session of the Texas Legislature.

TERC exists to “ensure that the energy and electric industries in this state meet high priority human needs and address critical infrastructure concerns” and to “enhance coordination and communication in the energy and electric industries in this state.” The PUC’s appointees are:

Lori Simpson, Director of Wholesale Market Development at Exelon, represents entities that provide dispatchable electric energy to the state’s power grid.
Elizabeth Barton Jones, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Oncor, represents transmission and distribution utilities.
Catherine J. Webking, Partner at Scott Douglass & McConnico, LLP, represents retail electric providers.
Tom J. Hancock, Deputy General Manager at Garland Power & Light, represents municipally owned utilities.
Clif Lange, Manager of Wholesale Marketing at South Texas Electric Cooperative, represents electrical cooperatives.

In addition, three thought leaders were appointed to represent energy sectors not otherwise represented on the council. They are:

Thomas McAndrew, Founder and CEO of Enchanted Rock,
Charlie Hemmeline, Executive Director of the Texas Solar Power Association,
Pat Wood, III, CEO of Hunt Energy Network and past Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the PUC.

On September 29, 2021, the Commission delegated authority to solicit, screen and select candidates to PUC Executive Director, Thomas Gleeson.

“We are fortunate to have Texans of such high caliber willing to serve the state in our ongoing efforts to improve grid reliability,” said Gleeson. “Each of these individuals brings rich experience and a unique perspective from their particular market segment that will help inform our reliability efforts to the benefit of our state.”