April 9, 2007

Olympia, Wash. – The state Senate today voted unanimously to confirm Utilities and Transportation Commissioner (UTC) Patrick Oshie to a second six-year term. Oshie will serve until Jan. 1, 2013.

Last December, Gov. Gregoire appointed Commissioner Oshie to another term. Oshie, 54, was originally named to the three-member panel by Gov. Gary Locke on May 25, 2001.

UTC Chairman Mark Sidran applauds the Senate action today to reappoint Oshie to the commission. “We are delighted the Senate has recognized the value that Pat’s breadth of experience, intellect and integrity has brought to the commission,” said Sidran. “We look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”

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.

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.