CPUC Welcomes New Commissioner Houck

SAN FRANCISCO, February 17, 2021 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today welcomed Darcie L. Houck as Commissioner following her oath of office ceremony in Sacramento.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Commissioner Houck’s appointment to the CPUC on Feb. 9, 2021.

“I extend my deep appreciation to Governor Newsom for this opportunity to serve Californians as a Commissioner at the CPUC,” said Commissioner Houck. “The Commission has great responsibility and a lot to do in the immediate and near future including ensuring energy and communications reliability, fighting climate change, mitigating utility involved wildfires, and ensuring social and environmental justice considerations in all of our policies, among other issues. I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners, the Governor’s office, the Legislature, and our sister agencies to create programs and policies that benefit consumers and the State of California.”

“I welcome Commissioner Houck back home to the CPUC on behalf of my fellow Commissioners and the dedicated staff,” said CPUC President Marybel Batjer. “Commissioner Houck will hit the ground running and immediately bring her experience to bear to contribute to all that we have before us this year and in the years to come.”

Commissioner Houck formerly served as Chief Counsel for the California Energy Commission since 2019. She was an Administrative Law Judge at the CPUC from 2016 to 2019, a Partner at Fredericks Peebles & Morgan from 2005 to 2016, and Staff Counsel and Policy Advisor at the California Energy Commission from 2000 to 2005.

Commissioner Houck is an expert in nuclear decommissioning, environmental equity, and safety policy. She has an extensive background representing Native American tribes throughout the country on matters involving energy, natural resources, land claims, and water rights, among others.

Commissioner Houck is a member of the California Indian Law Association, California Lawyers Association, Schwartz-Levi Inn of Court, Women Lead and the Association of Women in Water, Energy, and Environment. She earned a law degree from the University of California, where she also earned a Master of Science in community development.

Commissioner Houck’s transition team is as follows:

• Interim Chief of Staff: Christine Powell
• Interim Energy Policy Advisor: Mary Claire (MC) Brown
• Interim Legal and Energy Policy Advisor: Suzanne Casazza
• Interim Water and Communications Policy Advisor: Eileen Odell
• Interim Legal and Safety Policy Advisor: Sarah Thomas

Commissioners are appointed to the CPUC for six-year terms and require Senate confirmation. Commissioner Houck was appointed to fill the Commissioner seat vacated by former Commissioner Liane M. Randolph.

For more information on Commissioner Houck, please visit her page.

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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Press Release