Ron Binz
Ron Binz is a principal at Public Policy Consulting, specializing in energy economics and policy. Clients have included the Millennium Challenge Corporation, US DOE,the Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico, Posigen,Blue Planet Foundation, Sunshare, LLC.,NREL, Environmental Defense Fund, Steffes Corporation, Dow Solar, LBNL, Ceres, and American Efficient.From 2007 to 2011 Ron chaired the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and led the Colorado PUC in implementing the many policy changes to bring forward Colorado’s “New Energy Economy.” In June 2013, President Obama nominated Ron to become Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). His nomination was vigorously opposed by the coal industry and conservative political groups, who argued that he would be too friendly to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Following a confirmation hearing in the Senate, Ron asked the President to withdraw his name from further consideration.Ron also served from 1996 to 2003 as President of the Competition Policy Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing competition to telecommunications and energy markets in ways that benefit consumers. From 1984 to 1995, Ron directed the Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel, the state's utility consumer advocate.While Consumer Counsel, Ron served as President of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. Ron received a B.A. in Philosophy from St. Louis University in 1971 and an M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1977.
Ron was an active member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, serving as Chair of NARUC’s Task Force on Climate Policy, and as a member of both the Energy Resources and Environment Committee and the International Affairs Committee. He is a member of the Harvard Electricity Policy Group, the Keystone Energy Board and served on the Advisory Council to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
Prior to his appointment, Ron was President of Public Policy Consulting, specializing in policy and regulatory issues in the telecommunications and energy industries. His clients include state agencies, business associations, consumer organizations, renewable energy advocates, and telecommunications carriers.
Ron also served from 1996 to 2003 as President of the Competition Policy Institute (CPI), based in Washington, D.C. CPI was a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing competition to telecommunications and energy markets in ways that benefit consumers.
From 1984 to 1995, Ron directed the Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel, the state's utility consumer advocate. His office represented residential, small business and agricultural utility consumers before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, federal regulatory agencies and the courts. While Consumer Counsel, Ron served as President of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA).
On behalf of NASUCA, CPI and NARUC, Binz has testified before Congressional committees fifteen times.
Ron received a B.A. in Philosophy from St. Louis University in 1971 and an M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1977. He also completed course work for a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Colorado.