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In 2005, Mr. Rowe completed his second term as Chairman of the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC). Mr. Rowe specializes in developing and implementing constructive solutions to complex telecommunications and energy issues, and has recently co-founded a consulting practice, Balhoff & Rowe, focusing primarily on financial and policy issues affecting the telecommunications sector.
In telecommunications, as Chairman of the Regional Oversight Committee for Qwest, Mr. Rowe led a unique thirteen-state effort that succeeded in achieving the company's compliance with the market-opening provisions of the 1996 Federal Telecommunications Act. He also proposed and helped implement a joint federal and state effort to promote broadband deployment and access and, as a member of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, he focused on developing sustainable approaches to building and maintaining the networks that serve much of the U.S.
In energy, Mr. Rowe led the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' effort to develop comprehensive positions on federal energy legislation, established a program of Congressional briefings and led the early effort to understand and respond to the natural gas price rise in 2000. He also led the Montana PSC's efforts to ensure stable and reliable electric and natural gas supplies for residential and commercial customers in the wake of Montana's 1997 energy restructuring, spearheaded the PSC's successful effort to pass landmark state energy legislation and led the PSC's successful participation in NorthWestern Corporation's Chapter 11 reorganization.
Mr. Rowe has served as President and Chairman of numerous associations and committees dealing with regulatory affairs in the telecommunications and energy industries, has testified before Congress on several occasions and has led multiple international conferences on such issues. | 