PJM has hired former Maryland Public Service Commission Chair Jason Stanek to lead the RTO’s state government policy and state solutions teams.

“PJM’s work with states has been critical to helping states preserve reliability of the system as we move forward through the energy transition,” Stanek said in a statement announcing the hire. “I look forward to building on this solid foundation with some insight into what states need to succeed.”

The hiring is part of PJM’s effort to boost relations with state and federal governments by restructuring the State and Member Services departments, led by Senior Vice President Asim Haque, into the Government and Member Services branch.

“Jason brings a wealth of experience to PJM that will benefit both PJM and its stakeholders,” Haque said in the announcement. “He was a thoughtful, knowledgeable and independent regulator who will further bolster the depth and breadth of our engagement.”

Maryland PSC spokesperson Tori Leonard said the commission saw growth in its electric vehicle, renewable energy and consumer protection programs during Stanek’s leadership.

“Chairman Stanek’s tenure was notable for the commission’s embrace of novel ratemaking practices, specifically multiyear plans; promoting retail energy competition with progress on supplier consolidated billing, as well as tougher enforcement against suppliers who violated the commission’s consumer protection rules; greater grid reliability; and advancing the state’s clean energy policies, including investment in energy battery storage, and support for the development of solar and offshore wind,” Leonard said. “As an EV driver and advocate, he was particularly proud of the PSC’s efforts to advance electric vehicle adoption by supporting the build-out of a statewide public charging network.”

Stanek was PSC chair from July 2018 through 2023, during which time he served on several working groups as a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), including its Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission and the Electric Vehicle Working Group. He was also a board member of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the Keystone Policy Center.

Prior to joining the Maryland commission, Stanek was senior energy counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and was branch chief of electric power markets at FERC between 2014 and 2017.