New York State Senate Confirms Appointment of Uchenna Bright and Denise Sheehan to the Public Service Commission
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Senate has confirmed Uchenna Bright and Denise Sheehan to serve as commissioners of the New York State Public Service Commission. Consistent with the Public Service Law, Mses. Bright and Sheehan were nominated by Governor Hochul and confirmed by the State Senate.
“In their new positions, Uchenna Bright and Denise Sheehan will play a key role in ensuring a safe, reliable and affordable energy grid for all New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “Both Commissioners will bring unique and invaluable expertise to the PSC at a pivotal time for New York’s energy future.”
Ms. Bright is an experienced clean energy professional with more than 20 years of experience in organizing people, projects and ideas. Formerly with the Natural Resources Defense Council, she has a long history of building consensus, engaging diverse stakeholders, and developing strategies to address energy, environmental, economic and social issues and she has focused on strategic energy planning to provide economic and community development. Ms. Bright has worked extensively with business leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and other business professionals to promote strong environmental policies as the enabler for a healthy, thriving and prosperous economy while at Environmental Entrepreneurs, a business organizing group.
Ms. Sheehan has more than 35 years of management experience in the government and non-profit sectors. She previously served for 10 years at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in senior management positions, including two years as Commissioner, where she led efforts to establish the nation’s first cap-and-invest program for carbon emissions. Ms. Sheehan also has served as senior advisor to the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium.
Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “I want to congratulate and welcome Uchenna Bright and Denise Sheehan to the PSC. Governor Hochul’s appointments, now confirmed by the Senate, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will no doubt help the PSC meet the clean energy requirements set forth by the Climate Act, while also meeting the PSC’s core statutory responsibilities of ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable utility services.”
Ms. Uchenna Bright said, “I look forward to serving New Yorkers in this new role at the PSC, and thank Governor Hochul for this opportunity to be a part of this critical moment in the State's clean energy transition. I am committed to upholding the Commission's key responsibility to ensure all New Yorker's have reliable, affordable, and safe utility service.”
Ms. Denise Sheehan said, “I am honored to be selected by Governor Hochul to serve on the Public Service Commission. In this new capacity, I look forward to working closely with all Commissioners to build a clean and affordable energy system.”
The Commission regulates the state's electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, cable and private water utilities. The Commission is charged with ensuring safe and reliable utility service at just and reasonable rates.
The Commission can consist of up to seven members, each appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate for a term of six years or to complete an unexpired term of a former Commissioner.