Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Appoints New DPU Commissioners Focused on Lowering Costs and Increasing Energy Supply

Boston — Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper today appointed Jeremy McDiarmid to serve as Chair and Liz Anderson to serve as Commissioner at the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), joining Commissioner Staci Rubin. McDiarmid and Anderson will succeed Chair James Van Nostrand and Commissioner Cecile Fraser. 

“As the federal government tries to take energy sources off the table and hikes up customer bills, Massachusetts needs to focus on two things: more supply and lower costs,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are appointing two leaders with deep expertise in affordability and getting energy infrastructure built to continue to advance these priorities for our residents and businesses.” 

“I want to thank Chair Van Nostrand for his service at the DPU. Under his leadership, the DPU has charted a long-term strategy to meet rising demand, promote clean heat, and lower infrastructure costs. I also want to congratulate Cecile Fraser on over a decade at the DPU. She has brought a strong understanding of consumer protection issues and regional markets to the Commission,” said Secretary Tepper. “Looking ahead, I am pleased to appoint Jeremy McDiarmid and Liz Anderson to serve on the DPU Commission. Jeremy’s career working with energy developers will be crucial to our all-of-the-above approach to increasing energy supply in Massachusetts. Having spent the vast majority of her entire legal career advocating on behalf of utility customers in DPU proceedings, Liz brings a rigorous and practical understanding of affordability and will aggressively pursue savings for customers. Together, alongside Commissioner Rubin, the Commission will be able to deliver on important priorities for residents and businesses.”  

“I’m honored to be joining the all-star team at the DPU and am grateful to Governor Healey and Secretary Tepper for this appointment,” said McDiarmid. “The DPU is key to unlocking more energy to contain costs for customers. I’ll be focused on cutting red tape to get energy infrastructure built, optimizing the grid, and accelerating interconnection, all so residents and businesses have the reliable power they need at an affordable price. Building on the leadership of Chair Van Nostrand, Commissioner Fraser, and Commissioner Rubin, I’m looking forward to connecting with DPU staff across divisions and making sure the DPU is the best place to work, grow, and advance Massachusetts’ energy future.” 

McDiarmid is a veteran energy leader with nearly two decades of experience in policy, regulation, and organizational management. He has been a leading voice in New England on the integration of clean energy resources into the regional grid and energy markets. McDiarmid currently serves as Managing Director and General Counsel for the national business association Advanced Energy United. During that time, McDiarmid served on Governor Healey’s Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting, led multiple efforts at the intersection of clean energy and affordability, and developed policies to support advanced transmission technologies in multiple states. Previously, he served as Vice President for Policy & Government Affairs at the Northeast Clean Energy Council, leading efforts to develop new interconnection policies and opening market opportunities for energy companies. He has served in leadership roles at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Acadia Center, helping shape the state’s energy efficiency programs and climatech industry. He practiced law at a private firm in Boston and served in key roles at the Department of Energy Resources and Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and Boston College Law School. 

“I have spent my career in DPU dockets, fighting for Massachusetts ratepayers,” said Anderson. “I join the DPU with a renewed commitment to consumer protection and lowering bills. I’m particularly looking forward to hitting the ground running to implement the Governor’s energy affordability legislation – capping monthly bill increases, getting charges off bills, and rate reform that makes a difference for Massachusetts families.”  

Anderson is one of Massachusetts’ leading authorities on energy affordability and consumer protection with significant experience in ratemaking. She is currently the Chief of the Energy and Ratepayer Advocacy Division in the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell. As Division Chief, Anderson oversees the Office’s ratepayer advocacy at the DPU, ISO-New England and New England Power Pool, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as well as the AG’s consumer protection enforcement practice related to retail electric suppliers and solar companies. She has spent over ten years in various roles at the AG’s Office, including Deputy Division Chief, Assistant Attorney General, and Managing Attorney advocating for consumers in a wide range of matters concerning electricity, gas, and water regulation. Anderson was also an associate for Rich May, P.C. in the firm’s Energy, Renewables & Regulated Industries Group. Anderson currently serves on the Executive Committee for the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) and previously served as Vice Chair of the NASUCA Consumer Protection Committee as well as Chair of the Coordinating Committee for ISO New England’s Consumer Liaison Group. Anderson is a graduate of New England School of Law and received her B.A. from the University of Virginia. 

“I want to thank Governor Healey and Secretary Tepper for the honor to serve Massachusetts at a pivotal time in state energy policy, and my colleagues Commissioners Fraser and Rubin for their collaborative spirit and insights,” said Chair Van Nostrand. “I also want to thank the staff of the DPU, some of the brightest and most dedicated people in state government. We accomplished a great deal – improving transparency and public engagement at the agency, making clean heat more affordable, scaling back infrastructure costs, and giving customers more choices in how they power their homes. I wish Staci, Liz, and Jeremy the best leading a great team at the DPU.” 

“I’ve been with the DPU for many years, and can attest the staff here are hardworking, forward-thinking, and experts in their fields. It’s been an honor to work alongside them,” said Commissioner Fraser. “We’ve advanced important consumer protection reforms and won national recognition for pipeline safety and transportation oversight. Many thanks to my Commission colleagues for their partnership.” 

“I want to congratulate my colleagues on time well served on the Commission, and wish them well in their next chapters,” said Commissioner Rubin. “Welcome Jeremy and Liz to the DPU. The team here is hard at work on many important proceedings, including addressing energy burden, transforming our siting and permitting practices, ensuring the safety of our transportation and gas systems, and promoting environmental justice-informed community engagement. There’s more work to do, and I’m looking forward to our collaboration.”  

McDiarmid will take over for Commissioner Fraser as a member of the Commission on September 29. Anderson will succeed Van Nostrand on October 20, at which point McDiarmid will serve as Chair. 

Governor Healey’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act tasks the DPU and Energy Facilities Siting Board with enhanced authority to lower costs for customers, including reforming all charges on bills, establishing a cap on month-to-month bill increases, providing flexibility in how electric power supply is purchased, reining in predatory competitive suppliers, greater oversight over transmission costs, and requirements for comprehensive load management planning. The DPU is currently implementing An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers, which creates a fairer, faster siting process for new energy projects based the recommendations of the Governor’s Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting. 

Statements of Support: 

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell: 

"As the Chief of my office's Energy and Ratepayer Advocacy Division, Liz Anderson's knowledge and dedication to affordability and consumer protection in the energy industry is unmatched. While our team will miss her leadership and expertise, we are excited to see the work she and Jeremy McDiarmid will do on behalf of Massachusetts ratepayers while advancing our clean energy goals." 

Robert Rio, Energy Consultant: 

“Both Jeremy and Liz are highly respected professionals that will bring a wealth of knowledge and new perspectives to the agency. Both have well-deserved reputations for understanding the complex energy issues that Massachusetts is facing. I look forward to working with both of them.” 

Dan Dolan, President, New England Power Generators Association: 

“Jeremy and Liz represent the best of public service - dedicated, knowledgeable, with incredible integrity. Massachusetts needs strong leadership at this critical moment for energy to address affordability, investments, and the Commonwealth’s energy requirements. I cannot think of better people to do just that.” 

Dan Berwick, CEO, New Leaf Energy: 

"Jeremy McDiarmid brings a wealth of knowledge to the DPU. He has decades of experience in cutting through red tape and bringing new supply to our grid. His leadership and expertise in the complexity of our grid will be critical as states navigate a changing federal landscape." 

Jenifer Bosco, Managing Director of Energy Advocacy, National Consumer Law Center: 

"Liz has been a fierce advocate for ratepayers for the past decade. Liz has always looked out for Massachusetts' low-income residents and fought to protect them from high costs and predatory contracts. This is an exciting appointment, and I commend the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this strong choice." 

Rob Gramlich, President, Grid Strategies LLC: 

"This is a critical time for clean energy, reliability, and affordability in Massachusetts, so it is exciting to see the Healey-Driscoll Administration bring in a leader like Jeremy McDiarmid. Jeremy is a real expert in electricity regulation and policy who can be a great asset to the DPU.” 

Alicia Barton, CEO, Vineyard Offshore: 

"Jeremy and Liz bring a wealth of experience to the DPU. They bring a clear vision built on years of experience working within the Massachusetts energy ecosystem -- defending ratepayers, boosting supply, and moving the state forward. I'm confident that, along with Commissioner Rubin, the DPU will chart an affordable course for Massachusetts." 

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