The North Dakota Public Service Commission is a constitutional agency that maintains various degrees of statutory authority over utilities, telecommunications, railroads, grain elevators, pipeline safety, and other functions in North Dakota.
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Established before North Dakota became a state, the Dakota Territory established a Board of Railroad Commissioners in 1885 to oversee railroads, sleeping car, express and telephone companies. With the state's creation in 1889, the board was known as the North Dakota Railroad Commission. In 1940, the name was changed to the Public Service Commission. The commission currently consists of three Commissioners who are elected on a statewide basis to staggered six-year terms.
Current Public Service Commissioners
All three of the current Public Service Commissioners are from the North Dakota Republican Party.
Brian Kalk
Brian Kalk was elected to the office in November 2008. He is a former Marine and college professor who specialized in logistics.
Julie Fedorchak
Julie Fedorchak was appointed to the commission in 2012 by Governor John Hoeven. She was elected to the seat in 2014 for the remainder of the term, and currently serves as chair of the commission.
Randy Christmann
Randy Christmann was elected to the commission in 2012. He previously had a long career in the North Dakota Senate