About the Regulatory Affairs & Public Advocacy Section
Electricity, water, heating, communications, sewage and waste disposal are essential parts of life today. The Regulatory Affairs & Public Advocacy Section (RAPA) is a unit of non-attorney expert analysts and attorneys who speak for the public interest when utilities or certain pipelines seek changes to rates or service. RAPA also provides comments and observations on utility or pipeline-related issues when policymakers consider new or revised statutes and regulations. For example, RAPA participated in a matter involving deployment of fast charging stations for electric vehicles in Alaska.
Regulatory Affairs & Public Advocacy (RAPA) History
- Executive Order 111, effective July 1, 2003 - PDF(108KB)
- Senate Bill 392, effective July 1, 2004 - PDF(345KB)
- Attorney General's September 4, 2003 ADN Compass OpEd - PDF(289KB)
- June 2004 Press Release: Gov. Signs Bill to Empower & Fund Utilities
Public Advocate - PDF(88KB)
Scope of Work
RAPA expert analysts and attorneys collaborate in investigations of utilities or pipelines to present recommendations to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Investigations by RAPA analysts are extensive and provide groundwork for the rates paid by customers. The RAPA team probes all aspects of a utility or pipeline including the costs of operations, financial conditions, and local factors that impact customers, the utilities, or pipelines. RAPA also examines whether the rates will be reasonable for customers.
RAPA expert analysts and attorneys work in concert to present their case to the public, to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, and to the utility or pipeline. The RAPA team participates when a hearing is held on the investigation. Just like a trial, RAPA analysts testify, and RAPA attorneys provide opening statements, question witnesses, and make closing arguments.
RAPA’s work involves essential utilities that range from above the Arctic Circle to the coastal rainforest to the Aleutian Islands, and touches more than three quarters of Alaska’s population. Because utility service is essential, RAPA’s work makes a difference in peoples’ everyday lives throughout the Last Frontier.
Section Contacts
For further information on the Regulatory Affairs & Public Advocacy Section contact:
Jeff Waller
Chief Assistant Attorney General, Section Supervisor
Jeff.Waller@alaska.gov
907-269-5100
- Kevin Auf Der Heide, Public Advocate Utility Analyst
- James "Jay" Layne, Public Advocate Utility Analyst
- Jennifer Mainor, Public Advocate Utility Analyst
- Fiona Yiu, Public Advocate Utility Analyst
- Deborah Mitchell, Law Office Assistant