[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointment of Joseph Sullivan to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. He will serve a six-year term, effective on April 6, 2020 and expiring on January 5, 2026.

“It is my honor to appoint Joseph Sullivan to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,” said Governor Walz. “Joe has spent his career in energy and utilities, building a deep understanding of this field and the regulatory atmosphere. I have utmost confidence in his ability to build consensus and follow the process to produce fair outcomes for Minnesota.”

“The PUC ensures that some of our most critical services – electricity, heat, phone lines – are delivered effectively and reliably,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I want to thank Joe for bringing such a depth of experience to this important commission and for his commitment to public service and to the people of Minnesota.

“It is an honor to be appointed by Governor Walz to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,” Sullivan said. “I thank the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan for the trust they have placed in me for this important role.”

Sullivan most recently served as the Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Energy Resources at the Minnesota Department of Commerce. His previous employment includes serving as the Manager of Legislative Affairs and External Relations at the Center for Energy & the Environment, where he worked with policy makers, regulators, utilities, energy advocates, and other key stakeholders to advance energy efficiency and clean energy policy in Minnesota. Joseph has also worked as the Regional Policy Manager for Wind on the Wires where he worked in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa to advance policies for wind power and transmission access.

He started his career by spending six and a half years representing a municipal power agency and Greater Minnesota cities as a senior attorney at Flaherty & Hood P.A. in St. Paul, Minn. At Flaherty & Hood, Sullivan worked on renewable energy, transmission issues, state conservation goals, greenhouse gas reduction initiatives, net metering, nuclear waste, and utility taxation issues. Prior to joining Flaherty & Hood, Joe worked in Washington, DC at the U.S. House Committee on Science and at the Internal Revenue Service. He graduated from Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin Law School. He recently served as a board member of Bicycling Around Minnesota, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Land Trust, and the Mankato Planning Commission.

“Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan made an excellent appointment in selecting Joe Sullivan to serve on the Public Utilities Commission,” said Commissioner Katie Sieben, Chair of the Commission. “Joe’s experience in the clean energy sector, his legal training and rural perspective will make him an effective regulator. I join my colleagues in congratulating him on his appointment and welcoming him to the Commission.”

“Joe Sullivan is widely respected by everyone who knows him. His breadth of experience as an advocate for rural communities, clean energy, and energy efficiency are invaluable assets for Governor Walz and for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,” said Michael Noble, Executive Director of Fresh Energy. “He will be a dogged advocate for affordability, reliability, universal access, and the environment.”

 “Joe Sullivan will make an outstanding Public Utilities Commissioner. Joe is a well-respected energy policy expert and leader in his field, but what's most important to our members is the work he has done to ensure that working Minnesotans have a voice in the state's energy transition,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota. “We appreciate the work Joe has done to help bring about changes in the clean energy industry that created family-supporting jobs for hundreds of Minnesotans, including LIUNA members. We are confident that he will continue to be a champion for Minnesota workers on the Commission.”

About the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

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

About the Appointment Process

Joseph Sullivan will be occupying the Commissioner seat previously held by Commissioner Dan Lipschultz. Over 30 applications were received, and through vetting, consultation, and interviews, a screening panel recommended three finalists. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor interviewed these three finalists and made their final selection. The two other finalists were Lisa Crum and Brendon Slotterback.

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