Consumer advocate appointed to Texas Public Utility Commission

Courtney Hjaltman has been appointed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). She was officially sworn in June 26, with a term that will expire Sept. 1, 2025. The PUCT is responsible for regulating Texas’ electric, water, wastewater and telecommunications industries. The agency oversees and implements industry-relevant legislation and provides assistance to resolve customer complaints.

Hjaltman brings more than 17 years of state service experience to the role. She most recently served as chief executive and public counsel for the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). In that role, Hjaltman helped represent residential and small-commercial customers in proceedings before the PUCT and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Before joining OPUC, Hjaltman was the Office of the Governor’s deputy legislative director. As deputy legislative director, she collaborated with Texas lawmakers and other stakeholders on policy issues. She played a key role in improving the ERCOT energy grid’s reliability and instituting weatherization requirements for ERCOT generation resources.