Gov. Mark Dayton has named energy consultant Matthew Schuerger to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, the five-member panel that regulates the state’s electric, natural gas and telephone services.

Schuerger replaces Betsy Wergin, whose six-year term expired earlier this month.

In making the appointment, Dayton said Schuerger “brings with him an impressive record of private-sector experience running a company focused on sustainable energy systems, and has admirably served as a technical advisor to both the State of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota.”

The announcement notes that Schuerger is president of Energy Systems Consulting Services, LLC, an engineering and management consulting firm focused on planning, development, and analysis. His recent work includes serving as a technical advisor to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the University of Minnesota. Previously, he’d been Executive Vice President for District Energy St. Paul.