Utilities regulator tapped to lead DEEP

Lamont’s nomination of Dykes to succeed Klee as commissioner goes to General Assembly for action

Gov.-elect Ned Lamont has nominated Connecticut’s top utilities regulator to be commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Katie Dykes, 41, previously was deputy commissioner for energy at DEEP, which oversees policy on energy regulation, environmental protection, maintenance of state parks and recreation areas and wildlife management.

She is now chair of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

Dykes, who would be paid $175,000, would succeed Commissioner Rob Klee. Her nomination goes to the General Assembly for action.

“Katie Dykes has long played an active role in bringing cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy to Connecticut’s families and businesses,” Lamont said. “She has thought carefully about how our state can address climate change and protect the environment, and I welcome her into my administration as we work to bring energy costs down and create new jobs in the green economy.”

Dykes, a West Hartford resident, said she looks forward to working with Lamont to pursue a sustainable energy future .

Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, the outgoing chair of the committee who worked with Dykes on policy for several years, said Dykes, having grown up in the coal producing state of West Virginia, had a wide perspective on energy issues, understands that energy and environment are intertwined and sees the need to get to zero carbon emissions.

“She brings all those layers to the job and really understands how one aspect impacts the other,” said Reed, who indicated she did not think Dykes’ energy background would put other environmental issues at risk. “I only give her the highest praise. She’s really one of the smartest people I’ve every worked with.”

David Sutherland, legislative advocate for The Nature Conservancy, said that even without the specific environmental experience, Dykes would be able to have experienced deputy commissioners to handle those areas — even if she retains those there now. “I think Katie obviously brings a wealth of energy experience,” he said. “The first order for any incoming commissioner is dealing with the budget crisis — howmost effectively to work with a variety of people to advocate for adequate funding and for not reducing the ranks any further.”

Eric Hammerling, executive director of the Connecticut Forest and Parks Associ- ation, said the next four years are going to be a challenge for any DEEP commissioner as the agency is poised to lose 40 percent of staff to retirement and other reductions.

“I would just say she’s very smart and well qualified,” he said. “I really hope in addition to the energy agenda she also continues the commitment DEEP has had for many years for parks and trails and outdoor recreation — those things that make Connecticut great.”

Dykes also has been deputy general counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality and legal adviser to the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy.