Austin resident and chairman of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), Peter Lake, is the governor’s next choice to sit on the previously obscure, but now notorious utility regulating body.
“Peter Lake has been a diligent public servant throughout his time with the Texas Water Development Board, and I am confident he will bring a fresh perspective and trustworthy leadership to the PUC,” said Abbott.
“Peter’s expertise in the Texas energy industry and business management will make him an asset to the agency. I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Peter’s appointment.”
The PUC was thrust into the spotlight in mid-February when a rare winter storm rolled in, knocking Texas’ lights out for days. The body’s failures became the object of scorn and its child non-profit corporation, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), became the butt of national jokes.
Abbott appointed Will McAdams, a Texas legislature veteran, to the first vacancy on April 1. And now Lake will likely join McAdams on what may be the least popular commission in Texas.
Effectively, another vacancy remains with Arthur D’Andrea’s resignation pending the appointment of his replacement. D’Andrea is the last remaining commissioner that was on the board during the blackouts and announced his resignation after a recording of his conversation with Bank of America investors was published.
Before the TWDB, Lake worked at an oil company and as a trader using data analytics in both roles.
Lake is originally from Tyler and graduated from the University of Chicago.
The nomination must be approved by the Texas Senate.
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Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson is a senior reporter for The Texan and an Ohio native who graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2017. He is an avid sports fan who most enjoys watching his favorite teams continue their title drought throughout his cognizant lifetime. In his free time, you may find Brad quoting Monty Python productions and trying to calculate the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow.
