A delegation of the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) will visit the Public Service Commission from Missouri, USA, to study the practices applied by this regulatory authority in energy sector.  The visit is part of the partnership program of three bodies: ANRE, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from USA (NARUC) and the Public Service Commission from Missouri, which started last week in Chisinau. The funding for the program is provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The visit to Missouri is scheduled for September, 2010. The Agenda was discussed by the parties at a roundtable held last week, ending the visit of the U.S. delegation to Chisinau. ANRE representatives made a number of proposals for future activities under the partnership program, including organizing internships for ANRE specialists at the Missouri Public Service Commission. The proposals were accepted by the American side.  The Agenda of the visit to Missouri will include matters of most urgent interest for ANRE, such as regulation of heat and renewable energy sectors, border trade, differentiation of electricity tariffs by voltage, of gas tariffs by pressure and volume, public involvement in the process of adopting tariffs, monitoring quality standards for energy services, etc.

Last week, the partnership program was launched in Chisinau. The main event was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between ANRE, NARUC, the Public Service Commission of Missouri and the USAID, regarding the activity of the program.

For the entire week, the American guests and ANRE representatives made presentations and exchanged information on current regulatory issues in energy sector in Missouri and the R. Moldova. The partnership program is a tool of exchanging experience and information between the regulators in both countries to improve regulatory practices and to establish long-lasting relationships among these authorities.    

This is the second partnership program between ANRE and an USA regulatory authority. The first partnership – with the Utility Council from Iowa - was held in 2002 - 2004 under the auspices of the same National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from the USA. It was funded by USAID.

                                                                   ANRE Press Service
                                                                      June 28, 2010