Angela Paton

Advisor to Commissioner Burns

Arizona Corporation Commission

Angela Paton currently serves as the Policy Advisor to Arizona Corporation Commissioner Bob Burns, one of five statewide elected commissioners. Angela’s experience in electricity utility regulation has focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency and integrated resource planning. In her capacity as Commissioner Burns’ Advisor, she coordinated a series of emerging technologies in energy workshops at the Commission that provided a unique opportunity to hear experts discuss technological developments impacting the current utility regulatory and business models. The workshop series received both national and international attention and culminated in a report—making several recommendations to the Commission she has worked to adopt—including reforming Arizona’s integrated resource planning process, renewable energy and smart grid integration policies, and establishing statewide interconnection rules to streamline the methods for customers adopting new technologies.

On behalf of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Angela has participated in exchanges with regulators in Africa and Asia, speaking on topics related to renewable energy integration, power purchase agreements, interconnection and micro-/mini-grids. She serves on NARUC’s Staff Subcommittees on Electricity and International Relations.

Prior to working at the Arizona Corporation Commission, Angela was a judicial law clerk to an Arizona Court of Appeals judge and an Assistant Attorney General, representing the State of Arizona in numerous written appeals and in oral argument before Arizona’s highest courts. She received a J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and a B.A. in History from the University of Arizona.