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Public Service Commission appoints Randy Christman chair, reallocates commissioner portfolios
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Summary
The North Dakota Public Service Commission voted July 8 to name Commissioner Randy Christman chair effective Jan. 8, 2025, and to reassign regulatory portfolios among commissioners, a departure from the commission's long-running rotation practice.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission voted July 8 to appoint Commissioner Randy Christman as chair effective Jan. 8, 2025, and to reassign the commission’s portfolios among the three commissioners.
Commissioner Randy Christman introduced the motion and said the change departs from the commission’s customary rotation of the chairmanship, arguing the chair role benefits from continuity and experience. “I move that Commissioner Christman serve as chairman of the public service commission effective 01/08/2025,” Christman said.
The commission also approved a portfolio allocation effective Jan. 8, 2025. Under the approved assignments, Commissioner Christman will hold business operations, coal mining reclamation and abandoned mine lands, telecommunications, and SPP/RSC responsibilities; Commissioner Sherry Haugenhofford will hold wind and solar reclamation, electric economic regulation, pipeline safety, damage prevention, weights and measures, consumer affairs, and cybersecurity; and Commissioner Jill Kringstead will take railroads, MISO/OMS and economic regulation of gas and other gas utilities. The motion to allocate portfolios passed on voice vote.
Several commissioners spoke during discussion. Christman said leadership selected by experience could improve continuity; Commissioner Sherry Haugenhofford asked about the process and whether a formal procedure or time period should be adopted for future changes. Commissioner Jill Kringstead, who was introduced as newly appointed by the governor, thanked colleagues and said she looked forward to serving.
The commission also removed one reclamation item (RC‑1) from the consent calendar for fuller debate at a later meeting and approved the remaining consent items, including minutes, by voice vote earlier in the session.
Christman additionally announced he would recuse himself from case PU‑24‑311 (Grayson Mill Operating LLC) because of a family mineral‑interest connection and said he would file recusal documentation with the commission docket and the ethics commission. Christman asked Commissioner Haugenhofford to act as the portfolio holder on that matter going forward until it returns to its regular portfolio holder.
The commission adjourned after scheduling announcements, including an informal hearing Jan. 14 on PU‑24‑330 and PU‑24‑332 (Applied Digital/MDU matters) and a regular meeting on Jan. 22. The session opened at 10 a.m. and included introductory remarks welcoming the newly appointed commissioner.