DOVER – Dr. Rajnish (Raj) Barua has been selected to serve as the new executive director of the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC), filling the position to be vacated by Robert Howatt this month. Dr. Barua will begin his tenure as executive director on June 1.

“Raj brings an amazing depth and breadth of regulatory policy experience to the DEPSC. In addition to management experience, he has taught energy policy at the University of Delaware, served on the operating committee of NERC, and has extensively trained energy regulators internationally,” said PSC Chairman, Dallas Winslow.

Dr. Barua, a resident of Newark, has nearly three decades of experience in regulatory policy, restructuring of the electric industry, regional energy markets, and other related matters. Most recently he served as executive director of the National Regulatory Research Institute. Prior to that he was executive director of the Organization of PJM States Inc., energy advisor to the chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, director of the Integrated Resource Planning Division of the Maryland Public Service Commission, a regulatory policy administrator with the Delaware Public Service Commission, and deputy principal assistant to the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate. Dr. Barua holds a PhD from the University of Delaware, specializing in energy policy.

Mr. Howatt retires from the executive director post after fifteen years with the PSC, serving in a variety of roles. While serving as director, he led several important initiatives involving the PSC staff, including the $6.8 billion Exelon-Pepco Holdings Inc. merger proceeding, which was a significant win for Delaware utility ratepayers.

“I’d like to commend Bob Howatt for a job well done serving the people of Delaware and working to ensure fairness and predictability in our utility market,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock. “I also welcome Dr. Raj Barua back to service with the PSC. I know we will benefit greatly from his wealth of experience in our regional energy sector.”

The Delaware Public Service Commission works to ensure safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services. The Commission also has limited regulatory authority over telephone and cable television rates and services.

The executive director is responsible for the planning, management and overall operation of the Delaware Public Service Commission and ensuring just and reasonable regulation of Delaware’s public utility service companies.

MEDIA CONTACT: Samantha Hemphill, PSC Ombudsman,  302-505-2741