See below for press releases from Gov. Ralph Northam’s office and from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) on the appointment of Jehmal Hudson to the powerful State Corporation Commission, where Hudson will be “the first Black person to hold a position on this regulatory body since its inception in 1902.” Great to see!
Governor Northam Appoints Jehmal Hudson to State Corporation Commission
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| RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced the appointment of Jehmal T. Hudson to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). The SCC serves as an independent branch of state government and oversees the Commonwealth’s utility regulation, insurance, and state-charged financial institutions. Hudson has served in a variety of roles at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for more than a decade and he is the first African American appointed to the judicial seat.
“Jehmal Hudson is a remarkable leader and I am pleased to name him to this important position,” said Governor Northam. “He brings tremendous knowledge and expertise to the State Corporation Commission, particularly on advanced energy, and I am confident he will serve our Commonwealth well.”
Hudson previously served as Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Hydropower Association, Director of Government Affairs at FERC, and has also held positions as Deputy Policy Director for the Congressional House Democratic Caucus, Chief Counsel to Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, and Law Clerk to then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Hudson earned his law degree from the Vermont Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Adelphi University. He is a resident of Arlington County.
“I thank Governor Northam for his confidence in appointing me to this vital role,” said Jehmal Hudson. “I begin my tenure with a strong sense of responsibility to serve the people of this Commonwealth, and I am honored to join the Commission and its staff in critical work.”
Established in 1902 as an independent body with its powers outlined in the state constitution and the Code of Virginia, the three-member commission is elected by the General Assembly for six-year terms. Earlier this year, the House of Delegates unanimously approved Hudson’s nomination, however the Senate of Virginia was unable to reach an agreement on a nominee to fill the vacancy. Absent General Assembly action, the Constitution of Virginia gives the governor authority to fill a vacant seat on an interim basis for a term expiring 30 days after the beginning of the next legislative session. |
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CCAN Commends “Historic” Change to Major Virginia Regulatory Body
Governor Northam Appoints First Black Person to Serve on Virginia State Corporation Commission
RICHMOND, VA — Today, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam appointed Jehmal Hudson to serve as the next judge on the Virginia State Corporation Commission – the first Black person to hold a position on this regulatory body since its inception in 1902.
Harrison Wallace, Virginia Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, stated in response:
“Now that a 100 percent clean energy future is a codified goal of the Commonwealth, it is more important than ever that we have SCC commissioners who understand the benefits of clean energy to both the ratepayers and our climate. Just as importantly, we also need commissioners who can relate to the experience of Black and Brown communities that have been disproportionately harmed by Virginia’s energy monopolies, something the body has lacked for all of its 118-year history.
“We applaud Governor Northam for choosing Jehmal Hudson as SCC commissioner, where he can begin the long-needed shift towards a clean energy future that we all can be proud of. This historic shift to Virginia’s regulatory body is good news for climate and justice in Virginia.”
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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. For 17 years, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
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