TOPEKA – Today, the Kansas Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee approved Governor Laura Kelly’s nomination of Andrew J. French to a four-year term as a Commissioner on the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). His term will expire on March 15, 2024. French succeeds Shari Feist Albrecht who has served on the Commission since June 2012.

"I look forward to serving my fellow Kansans at a time when the issues before this Commission are so crucially important to the future prosperity of the State,” said French. 

French joins Chair Susan K. Duffy and Commissioner Dwight D. Keen on the three-member board. Members 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.

“Andrew’s previous litigation experience at the Commission, as well as his subsequent work and experience representing clients in a variety of energy regulatory matters, will serve the citizens of Kansas well,” said Duffy.

Prior to his appointment to the KCC, French practiced law with the firm of Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, in Overland Park. His practice focused on energy policy and regulation of utility rates and services.

Prior to his time in private practice, French served as Senior Litigation Counsel at the KCC representing KCC staff in litigated administrative proceedings. He also advised the Commission on legal, electric reliability, and cost-recovery associated with the Southwest Power Pool, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

French has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kansas School of Law.

The Kansas Corporation Commission is a multi-faceted agency responsible for regulating public utilities including electric, natural gas, telecommunication and water companies as well as motor carriers, oil and gas pipelines and oil and natural gas production. The Commission’s headquarters is in Topeka with the central Oil and Gas Conservation office in Wichita and four Conservation district offices located in Chanute, Dodge City, Hays and Wichita.