Vannoy Likely to Continue as Maine Public Utilities Commissioner with Unanimous Vote from Committee

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul LePage congratulated Mark Vannoy, P.E. of Waldoboro as the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee unanimously approved him on Wednesday to continue as Commissioner of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). Vannoy has completed the term of Vendean Vafiades, who resigned from her position in 2012. The Senate must approve Vannoy to serve a full term which would be six years.

Vannoy was previously employed as an Associate Vice President of Wright-Pierce in the Civil and Infrastructure Engineering Practice Group. His experience includes management of a wide variety of projects, from industrial food and beverage plants to municipal utilities. He served on Active Duty in the United States Navy from 1993 to 1999 and remains a Commander in the Navy Reserve. An active member of his community, he has recently served as Chair of the Waldoboro Energy Committee.

Vannoy received his B.S. in Ocean Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and subsequently completed Navy Nuclear Power Training in Orlando, Florida. He earned an M.Eng. in Civil Engineering from Cornell University.

The MPUC regulates electric, natural gas, telecommunications and water utilities to ensure that Maine consumers enjoy safe, adequate and reliable services at rates that are just and reasonable for both consumers and utilities. The Commission oversees emerging competitive markets for some of these services. The Commission also regulates water taxis and ferries in Casco Bay, and promotes safe digging through the Dig Safe underground utility damage prevention program