University of Hawaii natural energy researcher and faculty member James (Jay) P. Griffin will serve the Public Utilities Commission on an interim basis starting next month.
Griffin currently works at UH Manoa’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute. Griffin’s interim appointment to commission is effective June 5. It is also subject to Senate confirmation.
Previously, Griffin was chief of policy and research at the PUC, leading staff and consultant teams in analyzing state energy policy decisions, including long-term power supply planning.
“We are excited to find a talented individual in Jay Griffin, who has demonstrated expertise and is aligned with our commitment to a 100 percent clean energy future,” said Gov. Ige.
Griffin earned his bachelor’s degree in political economy from Williams College, his joint master’s degrees in public policy and environmental management from Duke University, his master’s degree in economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and his Ph.D. in policy analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School in Santa Monica in 2008.