Committee recommends Hui Kwon Ham for Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

The Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee on Feb. 26 recommended Hui Kwon Ham for confirmation to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission following his reintroduction to the committee and a brief question period.

Hui Kwon Ham opened by noting his appointment was announced on Jan. 3, 2024, and that his appointment runs through Jan. 3, 2028. “I firmly believe that I possess the expertise and experience to be an independent voice on [the Public Utilities Commission], delivering timely and fair outcome for all Minnesotans,” Ham said in his opening remarks.

Questions from senators touched on decommissioning and cleanup for wind turbines and solar gardens, and whether the PUC requires funds to be set aside when projects are permitted. Ham said that, to his understanding, permits generally include decommissioning funding as a permit condition and that enforcement would involve coordination with the attorney general and other state agencies. “I think upfront we are requiring them to prepare for the decommissioning of those power plants,” Ham said.

The committee also discussed broader concerns raised earlier in the hearing about out‑of‑state ownership of renewable projects and the distribution of economic benefits; Ham said he would be mindful of those issues but noted commissioners must operate within the policy the Legislature sets. After the question period, the committee conducted a voice vote. “Senator Dibble moves the committee that we recommend to the full senate the confirmation of Hui Kwon Ham for commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission,” the record shows. The chair called the vote; members said “Aye,” and the motion carried.

Ham described his background as an economist with two decades of public‑sector energy experience and said he has worked on transmission planning, reliability and equitable transmission cost allocation. He asked the committee to forward his confirmation to the full Senate.