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Government of the United States Virgin Islands Public Services Commission psc.vi.gov psc.info@psc.vi.gov P.O. Box 40 St. Thomas, VI 00804 1003 Estate Ross Suite 4, St. Thomas, VI, 00802 (340) 776-1291 P.O. Box 7360 Christiansted, VI 00823 Estate Carlton Suite 1 & 2 Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI, 00840 (340) 778-6010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 007-26 Thursday, June 18, 2026 Media Contact: Symra Hendrickson – Public Communication Coordinator (340) 776-1291 symra.hendrickson@psc.vi.gov Commissioner Laura Nichols-Samms Becomes First Virgin Islands Representative Elected MACRUC President in More Than 30 Years U.S. Virgin Islands — The U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission (PSC) proudly announces that Commissioner Laura Nichols-Samms has been installed as President of the Mid- Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC), becoming the first representative from the Virgin Islands to serve in the organization’s top leadership role in more than three decades. The last time a Virgin Islands representative held the MACRUC presidency was during the administration of former Governor Alexander A. Farrelly, making Nichols-Samms’ election a historic milestone for the Territory and its regulatory community. Nichols-Samms, who serves as Vice-Chair of the U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission and Vice-Chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Telecommunications Committee, officially accepted the presidency during MACRUC’s annual meeting. “I am excited about this opportunity and honored by the confidence my fellow commissioners have placed in me,” said Nichols-Samms. “MACRUC has played an essential role in my development as a commissioner, providing invaluable educational opportunities, professional mentorship, and access to some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated regulatory professionals in the nation.” During her remarks, Nichols-Samms reflected on the unique challenges faced by island communities and the importance of regional cooperation in addressing utility and telecommunications issues. She highlighted the resilience of Virgin Islanders following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, which devastated the Territory and left residents without electricity for more than five months. “Participating in organizations like MACRUC and NARUC allows us to learn from one another, share best practices, and develop solutions that strengthen our infrastructure and improve our ability to respond to natural disasters,” Nichols-Samms said. The U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission regulates utility services throughout the Territory, including the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, the Waste Management Authority, the St. Thomas/St. John Ferry Franchise and telecommunications services. The commission’s members serve part-time while carrying out critical regulatory responsibilities on behalf of Virgin Islands residents. As MACRUC President, Nichols-Samms said her priorities will include promoting affordability and fairness for consumers, particularly in the rapidly evolving telecommunications sector. “I want to focus on ensuring consumers have access to affordable, reliable communications services, including broadband and emerging Low Earth Orbit satellite technologies,” she said. “I also look forward to engaging with my fellow commissioners to better understand the challenges facing their jurisdictions and identify opportunities for collaboration.” Nichols-Samms also extended an invitation to fellow commissioners to attend the Commissioners- Only Summit scheduled for September 14-17, 2026, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She credited her fellow Virgin Islands commissioners, regulatory colleagues across the region, and her family for their support throughout her public service career. The Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners is a regional association of utility regulators dedicated to promoting education, cooperation, and the exchange of ideas among public utility commissions. MACRUC works closely with NARUC and industry stakeholders to address regulatory issues affecting consumers and utility providers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and U.S. territories. Nichols-Samms’ election represents not only a significant professional achievement but also renewed representation for the U.S. Virgin Islands within one of the nation’s leading regional utility regulatory organizations. ### For recent news releases, more information on the PSC, and easy access to information on utility issues, visit our website at psc.vi.gov. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VIPSC1965.