PUC Oath of Office & Hwikwon Ham!

January 4th, 2024

What a meeting that was (hmmmm, won’t ebed), the “Permitting Reform Stakeholders Report” starts at 30:30, and whew, at 1:36 !!!:

https://minnesotapuc.granicus.com/player/clip/2303?view_id=2&redirect=true&h=fa21951a27fee09bbfc35bb780443b66

And look who’s been appointed to the Commission — Hwikwon Ham! They couldn’t have made a better choice, he knows transmission and the electric industry, the technicalities, the economics, the background and reality.

Here’s the Governor’s press release:

Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Announce Appointment to the Public Utilities Commission

January 3, 2024

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointment of Hwikwon Ham to serve as a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

“Hwikwon Ham brings technical expertise and a deep knowledge of Minnesota’s energy grid to the PUC,” said Governor Walz. “I’m confident he will hit the ground running, leading the clean energy transition and providing Minnesotans with efficient and reliable utility services.”

“We are excited to have Hwikwon Ham join the PUC,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “His institutional knowledge and dedication to the commission will be key to ensuring the future of Minnesota energy is strong.”

“I thank Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan for giving me a chance to serve the people of Minnesota,” said Hwikwon Ham. “I will ensure that Minnesotans have reliable and affordable service from their utilities, while positioning Minnesota as a national leader in the clean energy transition.”

Hwikwon Ham is a supervisor for the regional energy program within the PUC. He previously served as energy facilities planning director with the commission. Prior to his tenure with the PUC, he was an energy rates analyst with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. He earned an M.A. in economics from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“Hwikwon Ham’s service to Minnesotans as an expert on the reliability and resiliency of the grid will make him an outstanding public utilities commissioner,” said PUC Chair Katie Sieben. “His training in economics and his deep knowledge of Minnesota’s energy system will enable him to meaningfully contribute to the many complex decisions the Minnesota Commission will make in the years ahead.”

“We need a PUC commissioner who has the expertise and independence to move projects forward that will put our members to work. Hwikwon Ham understands the energy system and is ready to step right in and ensure we can move the energy transition forward in a way that is affordable, reliable and benefits workers and businesses,” said Jason George, business manager and financial secretary, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49.

“Fresh Energy congratulates Hwikwon Ham on his appointment,” said Dr. Brenda Casselius, executive director of Fresh Energy. “With his extensive experience serving the public interest in multiple state agency roles, Ham brings a deep technical understanding of utility markets, economics, and planning to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission—all of which will be key assets for the commission as it takes critical steps to equitably usher in Minnesota’s 100% clean electricity standard and statewide greenhouse gas reduction goals.”

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates the electricity, natural gas, and telephone services industries in Minnesota – ensuring safe, reliable, and effective utility services. The PUC is a five-member body with legislative and quasi-judicial functions.

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Thoughts on a cool January day:

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/216A.03
Posted by Carol A. Overland
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