The Public Utilities Commission, meeting publicly in 2016.
The $61 million bribery scandal involving Ohio s nuclear plant bailout law and a utility widely believed to be FirstEnergy has brought new attention to the commission that regulates utilities. The chair of the Public Utilities Commission resigned in November after an FBI raid on his home.
All this has some suggesting PUCO commissioners should be elected by voters instead of selected by the governor.
Among the opponents to electing PUCO commissioners is Ned Hill, a professor of Economic Development at Ohio State. He said he s concerned about dark money from undisclosed donors in races that are way down the ballot, and about extreme far right or far left candidates turning up in those contests.
DeWine rejects list of nominees for Ohio utility commission
By JULIE CARR SMYTH and MARK GILLISPIEJanuary 20, 2021 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine faced swift criticism from consumer advocates Wednesday after he rejected the entire slate of candidates nominated to replace a former top state utility regulator tainted by a $60 million federal bribery investigation and requested a new list.
In a letter to the chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Nominating Council, the Republican governor said: “The list contained candidates who could be an appropriate addition to the PUCO. However, I would like to consider additional capable candidates before making my appointment to the vacancy.”
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine faced swift criticism from consumer advocates Wednesday after he rejected the entire slate of candidates nominated to replace a former top state utility regulator tainted by a $60 million federal bribery investigation and requested a new list.
In a letter to the chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Nominating Council, the Republican governor said: “The list contained candidates who could be an appropriate addition to the PUCO. However, I would like to consider additional capable candidates before making my appointment to the vacancy.”
Four names were submitted to DeWine in December by the council as potential replacements for former PUCO Chair Sam Randazzo, who resigned Nov. 20.
Muddy Bottom Blues Program #232 (January 15 at 8:00pm and January 16 at 3:00PM) Music veteran singer, songwriter and guitarist Ned Hill writes songs that