Bismarck, N.D. (AP) Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak will serve as the panel's president beginning Jan. 1. Fedorchak was tabbed for the position by fellow Republican commissioners Brain Kalk and Randy Christmann on Wednesday.
Kalk is the current PSC president. The president of the panel usually holds the post for two years.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple appointed Fedorchak to the PSC in 2012, after the seat had been vacated by Republican Kevin Cramer who was elected to the U.S. House.
Fedorchak won an elected seat on the PSC in November.
The PSC permits and regulates power plants, pipelines, railroads and a number of other businesses in the state.