In a strategic move, Exelon Corp., the largest electric utility in the United States, has appointed Colette Honorable as its new Chief Legal Officer, effective from January 1. Honorable, a former commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), steps into the role following her tenure as Exelon’s chief external affairs officer and head of public policy. Prior to joining Exelon, she was a partner at Reed Smith where she led the firm’s energy regulatory group, emphasizing her extensive experience in navigating energy regulation, which is anticipated to be Exelon’s primary legal challenge moving forward.
The transition comes as Gayle Littleton, the outgoing Chief Legal Officer, assumes a short-term position as a senior advisor within the company. Littleton’s departure marks a shift in focus from litigation to regulatory affairs at a time when energy companies are increasingly under regulatory scrutiny.
For more about Honorable’s professional background and her tenure at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, you can click here. This appointment reflects Exelon’s strategy to align its legal team with its regulatory challenges, as noted in the recent announcement.
This leadership change at Exelon underscores the ongoing need for energy companies to pivot towards regulatory compliance, a reflection of broader industry trends driven by evolving energy policies and state-level regulatory requirements. Exelon’s choice of Honorable suggests a future-focused approach, leveraging her regulatory acumen to navigate the complex landscape of energy laws and policies.