RALEIGH — North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner has nominated Donald van der Vaart, the former secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, to serve on the North Carolina Utilities Commission.
“North Carolinians need a strong voice on the North Carolina Utilities Commission,” said Briner in a press release. “Don provides that voice, and his expertise and leadership will ensure that the citizens of North Carolina have access to low-cost, reliable energy.”
Van der Vaart brings substantial credentials to the position as an engineer and attorney with experience in energy and utilities. His background includes service on the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board and the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission. Most recently, van der Vaart has served as chief judge and director of the Office of Administrative Hearings at the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings.
“I am deeply honored by Treasurer Briner’s confidence in me,” said van der Vaart. “I look forward to working to ensure that North Carolina’s energy future remains reliable, affordable, and ever cleaner — safeguarding both our prosperity and our environment.”
Under Senate Bill 382, passed in December, the state treasurer was given the power to appoint one person to the commission. Van der Vaart’s appointment was transmitted via a letter to General Assembly leaders and will require joint approval from both chambers.
The North Carolina Utilities Commission regulates rates and services for all investor-owned public utilities in the state, including electricity, telephone, natural gas, water and wastewater providers, as well as household goods movers, buses, brokers and ferryboats.
Gov. Josh Stein is currently challenging the 2024 law granting Briner the appointment authority to the commission. Briner issued a press release indicating he has filed a legal motion to intervene in the case Stein has brought against the General Assembly over the law.
“The people of North Carolina elected me to serve as Treasurer and to execute the duties associated with that office,” said Briner. “Of course, I respect the Governor’s own role and responsibilities, but he is wrong to claim authority over the other elected Council of State members, and we will fight to ensure that we can carry out the work North Carolinians elected me to do and need us to do.”
A resolution to confirm van der Vaart is currently pending in the Senate Rules Committee.
