BISMARCK, N.D.  (KCSi-T.V. News Nov 30, 2012)  – Gov. Jack Dalrymple Friday appointed Julie Fedorchak to the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC). Fedorchak, who has more than 20 years of experience in the state’s public and private sectors, will complete the term of Commissioner Kevin Cramer who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and will leave the commission at the end of next month. Photo from ND Governor’s office.

“Julie’s 20-plus years of experience with state and federal policy, as well as her knowledge of energy-related issues, will make her an outstanding addition to the Public Service Commission,” Dalrymple said. “She will be an effective advocate for North Dakota consumers and will work tirelessly to continue to grow our economy and protect the interests of our people.”

Fedorchak has served as state director for Sen. John Hoeven since December 2011 and prior to that served as the Senator’s deputy state director. While working for Hoeven, she was involved in a variety of energy-related issues, including federal oil, gas and pipeline permitting, and air quality regulations.

For 10 years, Fedorchak served as president of Liffrig Communications and worked with a variety of public and private sector clients. One of the key projects she managed was writing the first two Empower ND comprehensive energy plans in conjunction with the Empower ND Committee. Prior to that, she served as director of communications and senior policy advisor for former Gov. Ed Schafer.

“The PSC plays a key role in facilitating the significant new investments in public utilities and pipelines needed to meet the demands of our state’s growth,” Fedorchak said. “I’m honored to be able to serve during this historic time in our state. I will work diligently to be a fair, thoughtful, well-informed Public Service Commissioner.”

A native of Williston, Fedorchak earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and graduated cum laude in 1990.

The PSC is a constitutional agency with varying degrees of statutory authority over electric and gas utilities, telecommunications companies, power plants, transmission line and pipeline siting, railroads, grain elevators, auctioneers and auction clerks, weighing and measuring devices, pipeline safety and coal mine reclamation.