USA, Nevada: Ex Ormat Director Paul Thomsen Appointed to State PUC

Expert with renewable energy background appointed to Public Utilities Commission (Las Vegas Sun)

Paul Thomsen at a GRC Annual Meeting Opening Session

Gov. Brian Sandoval has appointed Paul Thomsen, an energy expert with experience in the renewable industry, as the newest regulator on the Nevada Public Utilities Commission. Thomsen was Director at Ormat Technologies from 2005 to 2013.

Thomsen replaces outgoing Commissioner Rebecca Wagner and will serve as chairman.

“Paul is one of the leading experts in Nevada’s dynamic energy industry,” Sandoval said in a news release. “I know he will be a fair regulator.”

Thomsen arrives at the PUC as regulators debate high-profile cases regarding the state’s rooftop solar industry and a push by the casino industry to purchase and create power without the state’s largest utility, NV Energy.

Since 2013, Thomsen has served as director of the Governor’s Office of Energy and has an extensive background in the geothermal industry.

Read More.......