HOLYOKE — Municipally owned utility company Holyoke Gas & Electric has a new commissioner.
Mayor Alex Morse appointed Marcos Marrero to the board of commissioners on Wednesday, Morse’s office said. The board is made up of three people who serve six-year terms.
“It will be a great honor to bring my life experience to the table as a commissioner at a time of rapid technological change in the energy and telecommunications realms, where HG&E holds assets and provides vital services to our community,” Marrero said in a statement. He could not be immediately reached for comment.
Marrero recently announced he is stepping down as director of the city’s Office of Planning & Economic Development, citing the need to take a break so he can spend more time with his wife and two young children. Outgoing Democratic state Rep. Aaron Vega is taking over the position.
“Marcos and his family remain committed to the city so I’m incredibly grateful he wanted to step up and continue to serve the city,” Morse told the Gazette.
Previously, Marrero worked on environmental policy in the office of the governor of Puerto Rico, according to a recent statement from the mayor’s office, and he has also worked in the New York City Energy Policy Office.
Marrero will be an important voice in conversations about the natural gas consumption challenges that the city and region face, Morse said. “We want to make sure that Holyoke continues to be a leader in renewable energy as we get closer to being a carbon neutral community.”
According to Holyoke Gas & Electric’s website, “approximately 66% of HG&E’s annual retail electricity sales are supplied by its renewable hydroelectric and solar sources of generation.”
Staff writer Dusty Christensen contributed to this report.
Greta Jochem can be reached at gjochem@gazettenet.com.