Braulio L. Baez is Senior Counsel with the Public Policy and Regulation Practice Group. His practice involves advising clients on strategic business, legislative, and regulatory policy issues before local and state government, with particular focus on the electric, telecommunications, and water and wastewater industries. He is a member of Holland & Knight's Energy, Florida Government Advocacy, and Telecommunications Teams.
Mr. Baez was a member of the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) from 2000-2005, appointed by Governor Jeb Bush. He served as Chairman of the Commission from 2003 to 2005. As a member of the FPSC, Mr. Baez was responsible for regulation of the state's $17-billion investor-owned utility industry, which includes electric and natural gas companies, local and long distance telephone companies, and privately-owned water and wastewater companies. His experience in public service has given him a thorough understanding of the pressing energy, telecommunications, and public utility infrastructure issues. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Baez was an attorney in Miami, Florida, with a statewide practice representing municipal and county governments in telecommunications, cable and electric franchising, and other regulatory matters.
Mr. Baez has been a frequent speaker on utility regulation and policy issues, and most recently served as a panelist at Florida's first Energy Policy Summit (2005), where issues such as long-term generation fuel diversity and alternative energy sources were addressed.