CONCORD - Former state consumer advocate Meredith Hatfield has been named director of the Governor's Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) by Gov. Maggie Hassan.

Hatfield served six years as state consumer advocate, representing residential utility ratepayers before the Public Utilities Commission.

Hatfield was not nominated for a second term last year because a majority of the all-Republican Executive Council opposed her renomination.

"Meredith brings a wide range of experience in energy and planning from both the public and private sectors, and she will be an invaluable adviser as we continue working to move New Hampshire toward a 21st century energy policy," Hassan said.

Hatfield praised Hassan work in the areas of energy and smart growth policy to drive job creation and lower energy costs for everyone.

"I am honored to assist her efforts to ensure that we protect our natural resources and that New Hampshire remains a leader in the clean energy economy," Hatfield said.

She previously served on the Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services before it was combined with the Office of State Planning.

Hatfield also worked at Pierce Atwood LLP in Concord, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton in Manchester.

She currently serves as procedures administrator at the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services.

grayno@unionleader.com