The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced that James L. Larocca, a Commissioner since 2008, is retiring effective July 31, 2013.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank Commissioner Larocca for his dedication and professionalism, and for the keen insights he shared with the Commission and staff during his four and a half years as Commissioner,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown.

Appointed to a half-dozen cabinet-level positions over the years, Mr. Larocca was served under five New York Governors:  Hugh L. Carey, Mario M. Cuomo, Eliot L. Spitzer, David A. Patterson, and Andrew M. Cuomo. His previous offices included Director of Federal Affairs, Commissioner of the State Energy Office, Chairman of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, Trustee of the New York Power Authority, and Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority.

In addition, he served on a wide variety of state boards and commissions, including the Commission on Bias-Related Violence, the Commission on Constitutional Revision, and the Commission on Coastal Erosion. He was a candidate in the 1998 Democratic primary for Governor.

Mr. Larocca’s private career included serving as president of the Long Island Association, the region’s largest business and civic organization, and as Dean of Southampton College.  He is also an award-winning playwright whose play PENANG was presented off-Broadway in 2009.