The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1889 to represent state regulators who oversee essential utility services such as electricity, natural gas, water, telecommunications, and transportation. Its members are public service commissioners from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. These commissioners are responsible for balancing the needs of utility providers with the interests of consumers to keep services reliable, affordable, and accessible.
NARUC serves as a hub for collaboration and education, offering training programs, policy research, and forums for commissioners to share best practices. By doing so, it strengthens regulatory knowledge and helps states address challenges such as energy reliability, renewable integration, broadband access, and consumer protection.
The organization also plays a national role by engaging with federal agencies, Congress, and industry stakeholders. NARUC represents state perspectives on policies that affect utility operations and long-term infrastructure planning. This includes issues like cybersecurity, grid modernization, and fair pricing models that directly impact businesses and households.
The mission of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is to serve the public interest by supporting state utility regulators in their oversight of essential services. NARUC seeks to ensure that energy, water, telecommunications, and transportation systems remain reliable, affordable, and responsive to community needs. Its role is not to operate utilities directly, but to strengthen the effectiveness of regulators who make decisions that affect millions of consumers and businesses.
Strategically, NARUC acts as the collective voice of state commissions in national policy discussions. It provides expertise to federal agencies, legislators, and industry leaders, helping to shape rules and regulations that align with both state and consumer priorities. NARUC also identifies emerging challenges, such as grid modernization, renewable energy adoption, cybersecurity threats, and broadband expansion, and equips regulators with the tools and insights to address them.
Beyond advocacy, NARUC invests in the professional development of commissioners and staff through training, research, and international partnerships. By advancing regulatory knowledge and promoting cooperation across states, NARUC ensures that utility regulation adapts to evolving technologies, market conditions, and consumer expectations. This strategic role positions NARUC as both a resource and an advocate for balanced, forward-looking utility regulation nationwide.
NARUC is organized into core sections that reflect the main industries regulated by its member commissions. These sections create forums where commissioners and staff can collaborate, share expertise, and address sector-specific issues. Each section hosts meetings, develops policy guidance, and contributes to the broader mission of advancing effective utility regulation.
By structuring its work into these sections, NARUC ensures regulators can focus on the unique demands of each sector while contributing to a unified approach to utility oversight across the country.
NARUC plays a central role in helping state regulators address the growing challenges of protecting utility infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. Energy grids, water systems, telecommunications networks, and gas pipelines are all essential to daily life and economic activity, making them prime targets for disruption. NARUC works to equip regulators with the knowledge and strategies needed to strengthen resilience while maintaining service reliability.
The organization collaborates with federal partners, industry stakeholders, and security experts to share best practices and develop policy frameworks that support both prevention and rapid response. Training programs, technical resources, and coordinated exercises help commissions stay prepared for evolving risks. Cybersecurity in particular is a priority, as utility systems become increasingly digital and interconnected.
By focusing on critical infrastructure and cybersecurity, NARUC ensures that state regulators are not only responding to immediate threats but also planning for long-term security needs. This ongoing effort supports a stable foundation for utilities to operate safely while protecting consumers, businesses, and communities across the nation.