HILL OPPOSES PUC NOMINEE

Posted: June 04, 2015 | Energy, Utilities and Technology, Senator Hill

Hill says, “Dearth of information, lack of digital footprint surprising during this age of information”

AUGUSTA -Assistant Democratic Leader Dawn Hill of York released the following statement in response to her opposition to the Maine Public Utilities Commission nominee Bruce Williamson of Tennessee.

Sen. Dawn Hill of York

Sen. Dawn Hill of York

“The next PUC Commissioner will hold this post for six years. This person will play a strong and impactful role in energy policy in our state. And to that end, the next PUC Commissioner should be someone who would make a good  regulator and adjudicator.

 

In researching Mr. Williamson’s qualifications, I found a dearth of information. As recently as this morning, Governor LePage said Mr. Williamson is a published, tenured professor, yet I’ve not found any of his publications.  It is surprising in this age of information, that this individual has so little of a digital footprint.

 

I appreciate Mr. Williamson’s two hours before our committee, fielding many questions. But, many of his answers were not satisfactory. And so, perhaps, if I had more time to get my questions answered, I would feel better about this candidate. At this point, we have no background on him, he has no constituency in Maine, and he comes from a state far less concerned about clean energy. I cannot support Mr. Williamson as the next PUC Commissioner.”

 

The PUC is an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory agency comprised of three commissioners.

 

Recently, the AP reported that departing PUC Commissioner David Littell expressed concerns that the PUC is “being used a ‘political arm’ of the governor”–adding, I can see no reason why companies dealing with this commission will trust that their proposals will be considered on the merits. This is going to further hurt Maine’s standing with the commercial community.”

 

The state’s Energy, Utility, and Technology Committee voted 11 to 2 to recommend confirmation of Mr. Williamson as the next PUC Commissioner. The committee’s recommendation will go to the Senate for a vote of confirmation in the coming days.

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