Commissioner's Greeting

Welcome! The Department of Public Service makes these World Wide Web pages available to Vermonters and others to improve access to information about regulated utility, energy and telecommunications issues. These industries are changing rapidly, so use our Web site as a tool to keep up, or stay ahead.

Stay in touch! If you find the website useful or have suggestions for improvement, please give us your input.

Sincerely,
David O'Brien
Commissioner

About the Commissioner

David O'Brien was named Commissioner of the Department of Public Service by Governor Jim Douglas in January of 2003. As Commissioner he is responsible for regulation of the electric, natural gas, telecommunications and water industries in Vermont.

The past two years have been busy in the energy field including active debate of energy policy in the Legislature, various matters related to the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station and the acquisition of the Citizens Vermont Electric Division by the Vermont Electric Coop. In 2005 the Department has advanced a new alternative regulation plan for Verizon and negotiated a partial deregulation of the independent phone companies in the face of increased competition. Since 2003 the Department has released revised statewide Electric and Telecommnunications plans.

Previously Mr. O'Brien served as Executive Director of the Rutland Economic Development Corporation, a private non profit responsible for business expansion, growth and retention in the Rutland area. Before coming to Vermont in 1992, he was a commercial banker at Peoples Bank in Connecticut.

Mr. O'Brien holds a Bachelors degree in accounting from the University of Bridgeport and a Masters in Finance from Fairfield University. He has been active over the years in a variety of community and statewide efforts including United Way of Rutland County, the Rutland Regional Education Alliance and the Vermont Economic Progress Council. He resides in Stowe.