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For Immediate Release: 03/08/17
Audrey Zibelman, Chair
Contact: James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
17015
March 08, 2017
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Governor Cuomo Designates Gregg C. Sayre as Interim Chair of the Public Service Commission; Interim CEO of the Department of Public Service |
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ALBANY — The New York State Department of Public Service announced today that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has designated Gregg C. Sayre as the interim chair of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and interim chief executive officer of the Department of Public Service. Mr. Sayre fills the vacancy that will be created on March 9, 2017 when Chair Audrey Zibelman steps down to prepare for her new role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Energy Market Operator.
“I thank Chair Zibelman for her significant contributions to New York as part of her instrumental work on the Governor’s nation-leading Reforming the Energy Vision strategy,” said Richard L. Kauffman, Governor Cuomo’s Chairman of Energy and Finance. “By reforming our energy system and regulations, she has accelerated a much-needed transition to a more decentralized, low-carbon and affordable grid, which is already providing consumers with more choice in how they acquire and use electricity. Gregg Sayre will ensure the PSC continues the excellent work started under Ms. Zibelman, and will bring to the job his own outstanding abilities as a utility regulator.”
Gregg C. Sayre said, “I am honored to be designated by Governor Cuomo to serve as interim Chair of the PSC and interim CEO of the Department. The Governor has put forth a bold strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York’s economy by building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers and stimulate investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency, and I look forward to working with staff and my fellow Commissioner toward those ends.”
Mr. Sayre has served as a PSC commissioner since 2012 and is recognized as an expert in telecommunications law and has extensive experience as a regulatory attorney. Prior to starting with the Commission, Mr. Sayre was associate general counsel of Frontier Communications Corporation. While at Frontier, Mr. Sayre was responsible for all regulatory legal issues and proceedings in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indiana. Mr. Sayre was also an attorney at the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Law Bureau. Mr. Sayre obtained his B.A. degree from Grinnell College, his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School, and a Master of Science in Information Technology degree from Rochester Institute of Technology. Audrey Zibelman said, “It has been a privilege and an honor to work in Governor Cuomo’s administration. The Governor’s energy team is leading the world in revolutionizing our energy systems. It was a thrill to be a part of this team that has accomplished so much.”
Under the Public Service Law, a quorum of the Public Service Commission is a majority of the duly appointed members, which will have two commissioners upon Ms. Zibelman’s departure. While vacancies currently exist on the Commission, these vacancies do not risk interrupting the Commission’s ability to meet and conduct business since both commissioners will meet in upcoming and regularly scheduled monthly sessions.
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