Nora Mead Brownell is the co-founder of Espy Energy Solutions, LLC, an energy consulting firm and a former Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from 2001–2006. She is also the former President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
In 1987, Brownell served as the Deputy Executive Assistant to Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh. Her career in energy began when she served as a Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) from 1997 to 2001. On April 30, 2001 President George W. Bush nominated Brownell to serve as a Commissioner for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Her nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate a month later on May 25. She served until July 21, 2006. Following the conclusion of her term as a Commissioner with FERC, Brownell helped found the energy consulting firm, ESPY Energy Solutions, based in Alexandria, Virginia.Brownell also serves as a Board Member for many corporations including National Grid, Spectra Energy, and Times Publishing Company.[2] In addition, she has lectured at the University of Vermont Law School, Michigan State University, and the University of Idaho