To: The North Carolina State House, The North Carolina State Senate, and Governor Roy Cooper
Fair Appointments to the NC Utilities Commission
We petition our Governor to nominate to the NC Utilities Commission and NC Utilities Commission Public Staff only those individuals who have not been employed by any Commission-regulated utility for a period of two years prior to appointments, and who will pledge to wait at least two years following their public service before representing or working for any company they previously regulated.
Furthermore, we petition our state legislators to only vote to confirm those individuals who voluntarily promise to abide by these ethical standards.
Furthermore, we petition our state legislators to only vote to confirm those individuals who voluntarily promise to abide by these ethical standards.
Why is this important?
Currently in North Carolina, state law does not restrict a public employee’s ability to leave state government and go to work for, or represent, a private entity. Many states have a "cooling off period" of 1-2 years before a public employee may go to work for a private interest they once regulated, but in NC that period is only 6 months, and it applies only to activities that qualify as lobbying.
The Governor is tasked with making new appointments to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which regulates the activities of privately owned utilities (e.g. phone, electricity, water/sewer). The North Carolina Utilities Commission, like other NC government commissions, has very few restrictions preventing "revolving door" politics. Conflicts of interest (or the appearance of conflicts of interest) can impact the integrity of the Commission to make fair decisions in the interest of the public. We are petitioning to ask that new appointees voluntarily abide by a two-year "cooling-off period" to indicate their commitment to unbiased decision-making and fairness in government.
The Governor is tasked with making new appointments to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which regulates the activities of privately owned utilities (e.g. phone, electricity, water/sewer). The North Carolina Utilities Commission, like other NC government commissions, has very few restrictions preventing "revolving door" politics. Conflicts of interest (or the appearance of conflicts of interest) can impact the integrity of the Commission to make fair decisions in the interest of the public. We are petitioning to ask that new appointees voluntarily abide by a two-year "cooling-off period" to indicate their commitment to unbiased decision-making and fairness in government.