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).
The Committee consists of five Subcommittees:
Rates and Regulatory Subcommittee
State Legislative Subcommittee
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
EPA Subcommittee
Leadership
Chair: Jay Kooper, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Middlesex Water
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