Oshie, 54, was originally named to the three-member UTC by Gov. Gary Locke on May 25, 2001. Prior to joining the commission, he practiced law in Yakima, specializing in federal Indian and environmental law. He earlier served as an assistant city attorney for the City of Seattle, representing Seattle City Light and the Seattle Water Department, and as an assistant attorney general in Utah under Attorney General David Wilkinson. In that capacity, he represented the Division of Public Utilities and the Committee for Consumer Services before the Utah Public Service Commission on natural gas, electricity and other utility matters. In 1986, Oshie was an adjunct professor of law at the University of Utah’s College of Law.

Oshie is a member of the Energy Resources and the Environment Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and serves as the committee’s vice-chairman. He is also a member of the National Council on Electricity Policy, the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) Advisory Council, the National Wind Coordinating Committee and the Gas Technology Institute’s Public Interest Advisory Committee.

“I thank the governor for the confidence she has showed in reappointing me and I’m deeply honored to serve the citizens of the state in this role,” said Oshie.

Commission Chairman Mark Sidran said he is pleased by Gov. Gregoire’s decision to reappoint Oshie to the UTC.

“As the governor’s decision reflects, Pat’s depth of experience, sound judgment and common sense will continue to benefit our commission and the public in the years ahead,” said Sidran.

Oshie graduated from Western Washington State College (now Western Washington University) in 1977, and received his law degree from the University of Washington in 1980.

The UTC regulates the rates and practices of the privately owned electric, natural gas, telephone, water and garbage utilities as well as residential-moving companies. The commission is also responsible for railroad and pipeline-safety programs in Washington.

Commissioners serve six-year terms, and no more than two can be from the same political party. Appointees are subject to state Senate confirmation.

Oshie’s annual salary is $110,998.