The state today announced the promotion of Estrella Seese to the post of acting energy administrator following the resignation of Ted Peck last week to take a job in the private sector.

Seese has more than 30 years of experience in the energy field, most recently as manager of energy planning policy in the state’s energy office. Before that she served as director of pricing at Hawaiian Electric Co. overseeing the development and implementation of electric rates on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

“Estrella has the depth and breadth of knowledge about the energy issues and challenges facing Hawaii,” said Richard Lim, acting director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “I am confident that under her leadership she will be able to work with the outstanding staff at the energy office to help the state reach the Hawaii Clean Energy initiative goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030,” Lim said.

Peck quit his state job to become president of Kuokoa, a startup company that has proposed acquiring HEI Industries Inc., the parent of HECO.