Power Profile January 2026: Ana Ortega
Commissioner Ortega, congratulations on your recent appointment to the Florida Public Service Commission. You have served in multiple roles with the agency, most recently as the Chairman’s aide. How will your professional background and institutional experience guide you in your service as a Commissioner?
I have spent nearly my entire professional career at the Florida Public Service Commission, serving in a range of roles that span administrative support, technical and analytical positions, and senior policy advisory work. This progression has given me the technical expertise needed to navigate complex regulatory, as well as a deep understanding of how cases move from initial filing through final order.
Importantly, my career has allowed me to gain experience on both sides of the Commission’s regulatory process, conducting and relying on rigorous analytical work, and then later advising Commissioners as they evaluate the record and make final decisions. Serving as chief advisor to three different Commissioners provided valuable perspective on how thoughtful, independent decision-making is informed by staff analysis while remaining grounded in statutory responsibility and precedent.
As a Commissioner, I will draw on both my technical background and my institutional experience to evaluate complex regulatory matters thoughtfully, while remaining mindful that our decisions have real and lasting impacts on the people and communities we serve across Florida.
From your perspective, what are the most pressing challenges currently facing Florida’s utility and energy sectors?
Florida is growing at an incredible pace, so one of the biggest issues we’re facing is ensuring our utility infrastructure keeps up in a way that remains reliable, resilient, and cost-effective for Florida’s businesses and families.
We are seeing utilities invest in the grid, plan for new large load customers such as data centers, and address long-term generation needs, all while continuing to provide safe and reliable service. At the same time, it’s essential that these investments are made thoughtfully to keep costs reasonable for customers.
At the end of the day, the challenge is maintaining balance: investing wisely for the future while being mindful of utility rates today, especially for seniors and families on fixed incomes.
As you begin your tenure, have you identified any initial goals or priorities you hope to focus on during your service on the Commission?
I’m particularly looking forward to supporting the vision of our new Chairman, Gabriella Passidomo Smith, who has emphasized transparency and clear communication as key priorities of her Chairmanship. Making sure customers can meaningfully engage in the Commission’s process and better understand our decisions is critically important, and I welcome and appreciate Chairman Smith’s leadership in this area. She has great ideas and I anticipate meaningful improvements as her chairmanship moves forward.
As I begin my tenure, one of my immediate focuses as a Commissioner will be working with the Chairman and my fellow Commissioners on how the Commission responds to and supports policymakers as Florida’s utility and energy landscape continues to evolve rapidly. This is a pivotal moment, marked by real-time developments such as hyperscale data centers, advanced grid technologies, and early discussions surrounding small modular nuclear reactors; each presenting both significant opportunities and complex challenges. As Florida navigates this period of rapid change, it will be essential to ensure these developments support the state’s continued growth while protecting Florida’s resources and safeguarding customers from unfair cost shifting. My hope is to draw on my technical background and experience to contribute meaningfully to the Commission’s discussions during this time.
A key component of Florida’s Women in Energy Leadership Forum is engaging students and introducing them to the energy industry. What advice would you offer to students and young professionals who aspire to serve in regulatory or public leadership roles in Florida?
My advice is simple: be curious, be prepared, and don’t underestimate the value of public service.
Public service touches nearly every aspect of daily life, and it offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact. From a regulatory perspective, it’s important to build a strong technical foundation, learning how to analyze data, understand statutes and policy frameworks, and communicate complex issues clearly and effectively. At the same time, invest in building strong professional relationships with fellow public servants and state leaders. Public service is inherently collaborative, and effective regulation depends on trust, credibility, and the ability to work constructively across agencies and disciplines. Together, those skills will serve you well in any regulatory or public leadership role.
I would also encourage students and young professionals to seek out mentors, ask questions, and say yes to opportunities that stretch you outside your comfort zone. I benefited greatly from individuals who took the time to invest in my development, and that guidance made a real difference. Public service rewards those who are willing to learn continuously, work collaboratively, and approach challenges with integrity, humility, and a commitment to the public interest.
You will be viewed as a role model for young professionals, particularly those working with or aspiring to work in state agencies. What does this appointment mean to you on a personal level?
This appointment is deeply meaningful to me. I began my career at the Commission eager to learn and I never lost sight of the responsibility that comes with public service. Serving alongside my fellow Commissioners, people I admire and who share a deep commitment to public service, is a great honor.
On a personal level, I am proud to represent the many dedicated public servants who work quietly and diligently behind the scenes. I am also mindful of the example this sets for young professionals—especially women and working mothers—who may be considering a career in government and public service.
If my experience shows anything, it is that public service can be deeply meaningful, and that with hard work, preparation, and integrity, there are real opportunities not only to lead, but to serve in ways that make a lasting difference.