Nora Brownell

Nora Mead Brownell (born May 1947) is the co-founder of Espy Energy Solutions, LLC, an energy consulting firm and a former Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from 2001–2006 under the administration of President George W. Bush. She is a former President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).

Brownell is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania and attended Syracuse University.^[1]

In 1987, Brownell served as the Deputy Executive Assistant to Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh. Her career in energy began when she served as a Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) from 1997 to 2001.^[2]

On April 30, 2001 President George W. Bush nominated Brownell to serve as a Commissioner for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.^[3][4] Her nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate a month later on May 25. She served until July 21, 2006.^[5] Following the conclusion of her term as a Commissioner with FERC, Brownell helped found the energy consulting firm, ESPY Energy Solutions, based in Alexandria, Virginia.

She served as the Board Chair for Pacific Gas and Electric.^[6] She has been a Board Member for many corporations including National Grid, Spectra Energy, Oncor Electric Delivery, and Times Publishing Company.^[7] In addition, she has lectured at the University of Vermont Law School, Michigan State University, and the University of Idaho.