Glossary Term: NARUC

Founded in 1889, NARUC supports fair, reliable, and affordable utility services across the United States. Its members include public service commissioners from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. These regulators work to balance the needs of utility providers with the interests of consumers. Their goal is to keep services accessible, dependable, and cost-effective.

Role and Purpose

NARUC serves as a central hub for collaboration and education. It offers training programs, policy research, and forums where commissioners can share best practices. This helps regulators respond to complex and evolving challenges.

Key focus areas include energy reliability, renewable integration, broadband access, and consumer protection. By strengthening regulatory knowledge, NARUC helps states make informed decisions that affect millions of households and businesses.

National Advocacy and Policy Engagement

NARUC plays an active role at the national level. It works with federal agencies, Congress, and industry stakeholders to represent state perspectives. These discussions shape policies that impact utility operations and long-term infrastructure planning.

This includes issues such as cybersecurity, grid modernization, and fair pricing models. These policies directly affect both businesses and consumers. NARUC ensures state regulators have a strong voice in these conversations.

Mission & Strategic Role

The mission of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is to serve the public interest. It does this by supporting state utility regulators who oversee essential services.

NARUC does not operate utilities. Instead, it strengthens the effectiveness of regulators who guide policy and oversight. These decisions influence energy, water, telecommunications, and transportation systems nationwide.

Strategically, NARUC acts as the collective voice of state commissions. It provides expertise to federal agencies, lawmakers, and industry leaders. This helps ensure regulations align with both state priorities and consumer needs.

Preparing for Emerging Challenges

NARUC also focuses on future challenges. These include renewable energy adoption, broadband expansion, cybersecurity threats, and grid modernization. The organization equips regulators with tools, data, and insights to address these issues proactively.

Through training, research, and international partnerships, NARUC invests in professional development. This ensures utility regulation evolves alongside new technologies, market changes, and consumer expectations.

Core Sectors

NARUC is organized into core sections based on the industries regulated by its members. These sections allow commissioners and staff to collaborate on sector-specific issues.

• Electricity: Addresses power generation, transmission, grid reliability, renewable integration, and the transition to cleaner energy.
• Gas: Focuses on natural gas distribution, infrastructure safety, pricing, and the changing energy mix.
• Water: Covers water and wastewater regulation, infrastructure investment, conservation, and affordability.
• Telecommunications: Examines broadband expansion, rural access, universal service, and modern communications regulation.

This structure allows regulators to focus on specialized needs while supporting a unified approach to utility oversight.

Critical Infrastructure & Cybersecurity

NARUC plays a key role in protecting critical utility infrastructure. Energy grids, water systems, telecommunications networks, and gas pipelines are vital to daily life. They are also targets for physical and cyber threats.

The organization works with federal partners, industry leaders, and security experts to share best practices. It helps develop policy frameworks that support prevention, resilience, and rapid response.

Cybersecurity is a growing priority. As utility systems become more digital, risks increase. NARUC provides training, technical resources, and coordinated exercises to help regulators stay prepared.

By focusing on infrastructure protection and cybersecurity, NARUC supports long-term system security. This work helps utilities operate safely while protecting consumers, businesses, and communities nationwide.