FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2020                
MEDIA CONTACT: Leah Mohr, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, (605) 773-3201 or (605) 280-4327

Hanson elected to lead Mid-America Regulatory Conference

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Gary Hanson was elected to serve as president of the Mid-America Regulatory Conference at the organization’s annual meeting, held electronically, on June 22. Prior to this position, Hanson served two years as the group’s vice president, two years as secretary and one year as treasurer.

MARC, a regional association of utility and energy regulatory agencies from 14 states including Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin, was established to facilitate problem solving, idea sharing and the discussion of regulatory and policy issues affecting individual states, specific regions and the nation.

“The utility and energy industries often experience periods of rapid change and as a result of this development, we often see new topics and issues arise. My involvement in MARC allows me the opportunity to lead important discussions on regulation and policy that shape national trends and positions for these industries,” said Hanson.

Since its incorporation in 1958, MARC has held an annual meeting that sets the stage for these discussions. As a tradition, this annual event is held in the home state of the association’s elected president.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as MARC’s president for the coming year. I’m also looking forward to sharing our great state with this group at the 2021 MARC Conference that will take place in Rapid City next summer,” Hanson stated.

Hanson is currently in his third term on the South Dakota PUC. He has held many other leadership roles including serving as the PUC’s chairman for seven years and representing South Dakota on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Electricity Committee, Electric Vehicle Working Group, and Low-income Energy Forum. He has also served on the executive committee and as treasurer of the Organization of MISO States, represented the nation’s NARUC commissioners on the steering committee of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative, and is a member of the Advisory Council for New Mexico State University’s Center for Public Utilities.

Prior to his election to the PUC, Hanson was elected to two terms as mayor of Sioux Falls and served seven years as Sioux Falls’ utilities commissioner where he oversaw the development and day-to-day activities of the city’s three municipal utilities.

See Hanson’s complete bio on the PUC’s website, www.puc.sd.gov.

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MEDIA NOTE: Download a high-resolution photo of Commissioner Gary Hanson at http://puc.sd.gov/2020MARC/default.aspx.