New commissioner appointed to the Essential Services Commission

Jess Young has been appointed as a commissioner.  Her term will commence on 24 June 2024.

An expert in regulatory economics, Jess is currently the Director of Networks and DER Integration, at the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action where she leads gas and electricity network regulation policy, DER integration and ZEV policy, as well as leading DEECA’s input into the Victorian Energy Minister’s engagement and decision making in the National Energy and Climate Ministerial Council. 

Prior to joining the Victorian Government, Jess was a Director at Deloitte Access Economics where she spent over 10 years advising regulators, state, commonwealth and overseas governments, and private sector clients, on regulation and energy market analysis and policy. Jess has specialised in economic regulatory frameworks, utility pricing, incentive mechanisms and cost benefit analysis. 

Jess holds degrees in Economics and Political Science from ANU, and a Masters of Commercial Law from the University of Melbourne. Jess is a member of, and in 2021 was co-Chair of, the Victorian Branch of the Women in Economics Network.

Jess is excited to join the commission at a time when the twin challenges of cost of living and the energy transition mean economic regulation of essential services has never been more important. She is looking forward to broadening her regulatory focus again to water utilities, ports, transport and local government, while continuing to engage in and help drive the energy transition to ensure consumer interests are protected.