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08-15-2003

Page history last edited by PBworks 17 years, 6 months ago

August 15, 2003

A DAY AFTER BLACKOUTS, ROMNEY NAMES PAUL G. AFONSO AS CHAIRMAN OF DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ENERGY

Announces task force to look into state’s preparedness to deal with massive power failure

 

A day after massive blackouts hit the Northeast, Governor Mitt Romney moved quickly today in announcing the appointment of Paul G. Afonso as the new Chairman of the Department of Telecommunications and Energy (DTE), which regulates the utility industry in Massachusetts.

 

Romney also announced the formation of a task force led by Afonso and comprised of industry and state officials to look into the state’s preparedness to deal with a similar catastrophe and determine if any new measures are necessary to keep power disruptions from spreading.

 

“We are fortunate that we were not severely affected by the power outages,” said Romney. “The New England power grid worked as it should have, cutting ties to other regional grids and isolating our area, but we need to take stock of what happened and take precautions as necessary.”

 

For the past four years, Afonso has been instrumental to the agency as General Counsel. He replaces Paul Vasington, who resigned last month to pursue other interests. The DTE regulates the rates and practices of the state’s utilities, including electricity, gas, water and telecommunications companies.

 

“As demonstrated yesterday, the energy and telecommunications fields are vital to our way of life,” said Romney. “Paul’s firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing these industries is unmatched. He will provide continuity and steady leadership as we work hard to make Massachusetts one of the most stable and competitive markets in the country.”

 

“When we started our search for a new Chair, we looked for someone who possessed the intellect, leadership, temperament and consensus-building traits needed to manage a large agency. Paul fits the bill perfectly,” said Beth Lindstrom, Director of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

 

As General Counsel for DTE, Afonso developed an organized and efficient decision-making process to provide regulatory certainty and consumer protection within the Massachusetts market. During his tenure as General Counsel, DTE continued its regulatory policies promoting competition in the telecommunications sector and the development and monitoring of service quality standards for both the gas and electric sectors.

 

“It is a true honor to serve the Romney Administration,” said Afonso. “I thank Governor Romney and Director Lindstrom for their continued support and the responsibility they entrust to me. I look forward to continuing our good work with my fellow commissioners and the very talented staff at DTE.”

 

Afonso is 1986 graduate of Boston College and a 1989 graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center. After graduating, Afonso spent ten years in private practice in Washington, DC before returning to Boston to accept the General Counsel position at DTE in June of 1999.

 

Afonso is active in the Portuguese-American community both nationally and in Massachusetts. He serves as a member of the Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States and as a board member of the Portuguese Heritage Scholarship Foundation. He speaks Portuguese fluently and was born in Azores, Portugal. He immigrated with his parents at the age of three.

 

Afonso lives in West Roxbury, Massachusetts with his wife, Mary Lou, and their 18-month old daughter Caroline.

 

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