Eduardo E. Balbis was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) and reappointed by Governor Rick Scott to serve a four-year term through January 1, 2015. Commissioner Balbis began serving on the PSC in November 2010, when Governor Crist appointed him to fill an unexpired term through January 1, 2011.
A member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Commissioner Balbis serves on the Committees on Gas and on Critical Infrastructure. Prior to serving on the PSC, Commissioner Balbis was the Assistant City Administrator for the City of West Palm Beach, where he managed the Public Utilities, Public Works, and Engineering Departments, comprising more than 400 employees. He oversaw major upgrades to the City’s Water Treatment Plant that significantly improved the City’s drinking water quality, and he coordinated the planning efforts for long term improvements to the City’s water treatment plant to bring important operational and capital savings.
As Assistant City Administrator, Commissioner Balbis was also responsible for the management of Grassy Waters Preserve. This pristine, 20-square-mile wetland ecosystem serves as a habitat for many protected species, including the Everglades Snail Kite, and is the primary source of drinking water for the City of West Palm Beach and the Towns of Palm Beach and South Palm Beach.
Commissioner Balbis previously served as Chairman of the Board of the East Central Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility, which benefits more than 239,000 customers in Palm Beach County. As Chairman, he helped bring to fruition one of the largest conservation projects in Florida: a 27 million gallon-per-day water reuse project that provides treated wastewater in lieu of groundwater to cool a 3,750 MW power plant.
Previously appointed by Governor Crist to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Commissioner Balbis worked with other council members on complex regional development issues and projects affecting Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River and St. Lucie Counties. His prior experience also includes working in the private sector for national engineering firms specializing in the design of large utility infrastructure projects.
A lifelong Florida resident, Commissioner Balbis graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Environmental Engineering and is a Licensed Professional Engineer. As a hobby, he enjoys officiating football and is a NCAA Division 1 football official with the Sun Belt Conference.
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