Regulatory and Legislative

The Regulatory and Legislative Committee identifies and facilitates action that will advance the advocacy priorities of the Association. The Committee’s mission is to drive constructive regulatory and legislative outcomes that will help Association members provide customers with safe and adequate services at just and reasonable rates.

The Committee ensures that the Association deploys the appropriate resources in support of key regulatory and legislative priorities in the states where members operate. As appropriate, the Committee also provides guidance to the Association so that it may effectively advocate for issues at the federal level. As part of its advocacy efforts, the Committee works with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), and the Council of State Governments (CSG).

Girl drinking water outside

The Committee consists of five Subcommittees:

Rates and Regulatory Subcommittee

The mission is to facilitate information sharing among members and advance key policy priorities related to regulatory initiatives and constructive rate setting practices to ensure sustainable pricing, promote needed investment, and encourage sector growth to better serve our customers.

State Legislative Subcommittee

The mission is to identify legislative advocacy priorities for the Association and achieve constructive legislative outcomes enabling our customers to receive safe and adequate service at just and reasonable rates.

Community Engagement Subcommittee

The mission is to promote the regulated water industry by developing best practices that will increase overall confidence in regulated water supply and wastewater management companies through coordinated industry messaging to key stakeholders, engaging third-party allies, and securing earned media.

Federal Affairs Subcommittee

The mission is to advance a federal legislative agenda that promotes the interests of the Association’s member companies and those of the customers and communities they serve.

EPA Subcommittee

The mission is to provide strategic advice to Association members on existing and emerging federal environmental issues, provide input to the EPA on the development of regulations and other initiatives, and share best practices with respect to environmental compliance. Association staff is responsible for generating and sharing with the Committee Chairs monthly reports summarizing recent and ongoing Committee work. Doing so will bolster coordination across committees and the Association; assure continued progress on regulatory and legislative priorities; and assist, as needed, in recalibrating the Committee structure, focus, and/or resources.
The Committee’s mission is to drive constructive regulatory and legislative outcomes that will help Association members provide customers with safe and adequate services at just and reasonable rates.

Leadership

Chair: Jay Kooper, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Middlesex Water

Man pointing

Members

Patrick Kerr, President and CEO, Baton Rouge Water Company

Marty Kropelnicki, President and CEO, California Water Service Group

Maureen Westbrook, Vice President, Customer Service and Regulatory Affairs, The Connecticut Water Company

Maureen Duffy, Vice President Communications and Federal Affairs, American Water

James Jenkins, Vice President Regulatory Services, American Water

Kevin OíConnor, Director of External Affairs, Suez North America

Justin Skarb, Director Community Affairs & Government Relations, California Water Services Group

Jay Kooper, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Middlesex Water Company

April Ballou, Vice President, Legal and State Regulatory Affairs, NAWC