PR-12-106 -- PSC Chairman Gunn Receives National Award

Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- FEBRUARY 6, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY---Missouri Public Service Commission Chairman Kevin Gunn has been honored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), receiving the inaugural Barnich Award, recognizing the ongoing commitment of NARUC members to furthering regulatory best practices around the world.

Chairman Gunn received the award for the Missouri PSC’s work in a NARUC-facilitated partnership between the Missouri Commission and the Moldovan National Agency for Energy Regulation.  The partnership is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development through its cooperative agreement with NARUC.

As part of the NARUC-USAID partnership, the Missouri Public Service Commission granted the Moldovan National Agency for Energy Regulation full access and rights to the Commission’s Electronic Filing and Information System (EFIS), which has increased the Moldovan agency’s work productivity and allowed them to better track utility filings as well as provide timely responses to inquiries and petitions. 

“To be the first recipient of the Barnich award is a real honor,” said Chairman Gunn.  “The award really goes to everyone at the Missouri Public Service Commission.  It is their hard work that has helped make the Moldovan partnership a success.”

  The award is named in tribute to former Illinois Commerce Commission Chair Terry Barnich, who was a leader in building international relationships across the world.  Barnich was killed in Fallujah, Iraq, in May 2009, while working as the Deputy Director of the State Department office overseeing United States reconstruction projects in Iraq.  Barnich was Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission from 1989-1992 and was an active member of NARUC.

Chairman Gunn received the award during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, February 5, 2012.  The award was presented by NARUC International Relations Committee Chair David Armstrong of Kentucky.  “Chairman Gunn is a deserving recipient, as his service is making energy regulation work better not only in Missouri, but across the globe,” said Armstrong.

-30-