Energy specialist tapped to join PUC

Gov. David Ige has nominated a University of Hawaii energy specialist to the three-member Public Utilities Commission.

Ige named Jennifer “Jennie” Potter, an assistant specialist with UH’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, to a six-year term beginning July 1. She replaces Lorraine Akiba, whose term expires June 30.

Potter will join commission Chairman Randy Iwase and James Griffin on the panel, which regulates utilities providing electricity, gas, telephone, telecommunications, private water and sewage in the state, as well as motor and water carrier transportation providers.

PUC commissioners are paid $119,472 while the chairman receives $125,760.

Before joining the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, Potter was a senior scientific engineering associate in the electricity market and policy group at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in California. She also worked at Sacramento’s electrical utility, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, in various positions, including enterprise performance data manager, principal market analyst and project manager.

Potter holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and economics from Southern Oregon University and a master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.

“I am dedicated to serving the people of Hawaii and supporting the state’s clean energy and resiliency goals,” she said in a statement.

Potter’s appointment requires confirmation by the state Senate.