S C s Mitchell Appointed to Federal-State Universal Service Board

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WASHINGTON, January 11, 2012 -- National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President David Wright nominated Commissioner Randy Mitchell of South Carolina to a national board that analyzes the accessibility and affordability of telecommunications services.

Commissioner Mitchell’s appointment to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service must be confirmed by the Federal Communications Commission. If he is approved, Commissioner Mitchell would replace Commissioner Larry Landis of Indiana, whose service on the board is expiring.

The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service was established in March 1996 to make recommendations on the universal-service applications in the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The Board is comprised of State utility commissioners and members of the FCC. The Board is currently co-chaired by FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and Commissioner James Cawley of Pennsylvania.

With the FCC having finalized its universal service reform measures, the Joint Board will play a significant role in the implementation of the final rules.

“Universal service reform is one of the most pressing issues facing the telecommunications sector,” President Wright said. “Commissioner Mitchell brings strong credentials and will be a vocal advocate for consumers. I also want to thank Commissioner Landis for his hard work on the Joint Board. Our consumers are better off because of his tireless service.”

Commissioner Mitchell was elected to the South Carolina Public Service Commission in 1998. He has served as Chair and Vice Chair of the agency. Within NARUC, Commissioner Mitchell sits on the Committee on Telecommunications.

Prior to his election to the Commission, he served for 10 years as Saluda, S.C., County Probate Judge. Before that he served as Vice Chairman of the Saluda, S.C., County Council.

NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.

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