OUC in the news   Press/media contacts   Publication library   Knowledge Center   More about OUC		return to archive News Release Orlando Utilities Commission September 27, 2005 Contact: Grant J. Heston, Communications Manager Sheridan Becht | Erika Hodges   OUC BOARD PRESIDENT LEADS NATIONAL PUBLIC POWER COMMITTEE Local Attorney Chairs APPA Policy Makers Council   ORLANDO - OUC Commission President Tommy Boroughs has been named Chair of the American Public Power Association (APPA) Policy Makers Council. The council promotes federal legislation of importance to public power and provides advice on a broad range of issues to APPA. In this role, Boroughs also serves as an ex-officio member of the APPA Board of Directors. Tommy Boroughs “APPA has been a strong voice in helping to keep energy affordable for Central Floridians and the 43 million Americans served by public power,” Boroughs said. “With the recent rise in energy prices, this task takes on ever increasing significance.” Alan H. Richardson, president and CEO of APPA (www.appanet.org), said that APPA is very grateful for Boroughs’ service. "Public power systems and their customers across the country are benefiting from Tommy Boroughs' leadership of this important group of public power policy makers,” Richardson said. “Mr. Boroughs has visited with U.S. Senators and Representatives from all regions of the country. “He is an articulate advocate of local control and community decision-making on energy issues. He also inspires others ― whether his colleagues from other public power systems or lawmakers on Capitol Hill.” Boroughs was appointed to the OUC board in January 2001 and is serving his second term as president. He is a partner in the Orlando law office of Holland & Knight, focusing his practice in the areas of zoning and land use regulatory matters together with real estate acquisition and sales. He also serves as Chairman of the firm’s Florida Land Use Team. The American Public Power Association (APPA) is the service organization for the nation's more than 2,000 community-owned electric utilities that serve more than 43 million Americans. Its purpose is to advance the public policy interests of its members and their consumers, and provide member services to ensure adequate, reliable electricity at a reasonable price with the proper protection of the environment. Established in 1923 by a special act of the Florida Legislature, OUC—The Reliable One is the second largest municipal utility in Florida. OUC provides electric and water services to more than 196,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties.