The NRRI in the USA has served as the research arm of state regulatory commissions for more than 30 years. NRRI’s stated mission is “to provide the superior research services state utility commissions need to make decisions of the highest possible quality.”

In October of 2006, Scott Hempling, Esq. was appointed the most recent Director of NRRI. He is a distinguished expert in the field of utility regulation with 17 years’ experience serving a broad range of clients, including regulators, utility companies, legislative bodies and public interest groups. He is a prolific author and speaker and he has addressed a wide range of regulatory topics to many different audiences, including in India. 
 
Last month, Hempling announced that NRRI will publish a series of essays he penned on the theme of effective regulation. I propose that these essays be published on the DRUM website. The topic is pertinent to the fledgling regulatory regime developing throughout India and the essays may provide a useful jumping-off point for discussion of regulation, including how the essays may have a bearing — or differ from — the Indian context.

After all ten of these essays are published, we will organize a select panel of experts to discuss them and the emerging regulatory environment in India.

Click on the links below to read the essays:

- The Effective Regulation Part I: Purposefulness

- The Effective Regulation Part II: Education

- The Effective Regulation Part III: Decisiveness

- The Effective Regulator Part IV: Independence

- The Effective Regulation Part V: Commissions are not Courts; Regulators are not Judges

- The Effective Regulation Part VI: Legislatures and Commissions: How Well Do They Work Together?

- The Effective Regulation Part VII: Competition "vs." Regulation: Have We Achieved Conversational Clarity?

- The Effective Regulation Part VIII: "Politics": How Do Regulators Respond?

- The Effective Regulation Part VIII: "Politics": How Do Regulators Respond? Part II