Energy Office Applauds the Confirmation of Timothy Schneider to be Maine's Public Advocate and Commissioner Vannoy for Reappointment to the Public Utilities Commission

AUGUSTA – Earlier this week, the Maine Senate voted to confirm Governor Paul R. LePage’s nominees Timothy Schneider, Esq., for the Office of Public Advocate (OPA), and Mark Vannoy, P.E., to continue as Commissioner of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) for a full term.

“Maine has the opportunity to transform our energy situation through the use of natural gas and new technologies, and it is critical that we have the individuals in leadership roles to help Mainers access affordable energy,” stated Energy Office Director Patrick Woodcock. “Commissioner Vannoy and Public Advocate Schneider will bring critical experience and integrity to these offices, ensuring that our state’s policies are advancing on behalf of average Mainers, who are struggling with excessive energy costs.”

Schneider, a graduate of Harvard University and New York University School of Law, has specialized in electricity and natural gas utilities as an attorney at Pierce Atwood LLP since 2008. He has worked with the Maine Public Utilities Commission and has been involved in some of the most complex issues before the Commission in recent years, including the inquiry into Maine's continued participation in ISO-NE, consideration of the largest transmission upgrade in Maine history, as well as the Commission's investigation into its electric utilities' transmission planning standards and many issues relating to Northern Utilities' arrival in Maine.

In his new role as Maine's Public Advocate, Schneider will represent the interests of Maine ratepayers in proceedings before the Maine Public Utilities Commission, including issues regarding electricity and natural gas prices. He will also support Mainers in matters related to telecommunications, including accessibility to broadband internet.

Mark Vannoy has been serving as Public Utilities Commissioner since 2012, when he was appointed to complete the term of Vendean Vafiades. Vannoy was previously employed as an Associate Vice President of Wright-Pierce in the Civil and Infrastructure Engineering Practice Group. His experience included 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.

During his new six year term, Commissioner Vannoy will oversee regulations pertaining to 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. He will also oversee 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.