News Release

For more information contact: Jesse Borjon, (785) 271-3269

January 9, 2014

Commissioner Albrecht Elected Chair

Topeka, KS - At today's Commission Meeting, Commissioner Shari Feist Albrecht was elected to serve as Chair of the Commission. The nomination was made by current Chairman Mark Sievers and seconded by Commissioner Tom Wright. Albrecht was appointed by Governor Sam Brownback and has served on the Commission since August 2012.

Prior to the KCC, Albrecht served as Associate Chief Counsel at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), where she worked since 1993. Albrecht is a licensed attorney who earned her B.A. at the University of Kansas and her J.D. at Washburn University School of Law. She was previously a supervisor of the Environmental Practice Group of the KDHE, and has served as a Director for the Oil and Gas Conservation Division with the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and serve staggered four-year terms. State law provides that no more than two of the three commissioners may belong to the same political party. The Commission acts as an independent regulatory agency with authority to render judgments and decisions on regulated utilities. Nominations are subject to approval by the Kansas Senate. Albrecht's term expires March 15, 2016.

The KCC regulates five industries in the Kansas economy and has the responsibility of ensuring that natural gas, electricity, telephone, and transportation vendors provide safe, adequate, and reliable services at reasonable rates. The mission of the agency is to protect the public interest through impartial and efficient resolution of all jurisdictional issues. The agency regulates rates, service, and safety of public utilities, common carriers, motor carriers; regulates oil and gas production by protecting correlative rights, environmental resources, and energy storage; and promotes energy-related programs.