News News Releases Archives July-September 2004

Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge named

Chairman Pat Wood, III, of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, today announced the appointment of William J. Cowan as Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge.

As Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge, Judge Cowan will assist Chief Administrative Law Judge Curtis Wagner, Jr. with the administrative and managerial duties of the Office of Administrative Law Judges and serve as head of the office in the absence of the Chief Judge.

"I am delighted to have Judge Cowan as our Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge. His extensive experience with energy issues is invaluable to the Commission's work and the work of the administrative law judges. We are fortunate to have him on our team," commented Chairman Wood.

Judge Cowan joined FERC as an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in early 1997 until June 2001. From July 1998 to August 2001, he served as Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge. In late 2001 until July 2003, he served as an ALJ for the Department of Labor in Boston, Massachusetts before returning to the Commission as an ALJ in July 2003. Before that he completed 24 years of service with the New York Public Service Commission, where he was General Counsel and Chief ALJ. He also held the position of Policy Director with National Independent Energy Producers. Judge Cowan began his regulatory career in the 1960's as an industry economist with FERC's predecessor, the Federal Power Commission.

Judge Cowan received his Juris Doctor degree from Northeastern University's School of Law in Boston and his undergraduate degree in economics from the same institution.

R-04-35

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