PSC utility regulator McMurrian quits
by Dara Kam | October 5th, 2009
Public Service Commissioner Katrina McMurrian quit her post this morning effective immediately.
Gov. Charlie Crist last week passed over McMurrian, who worked for the panel for almost a decade prior to her appointment four years ago, for reappointment. He also snubbed PSC Chairman Matthew Carter, whose term also ends on Dec. 31.
McMurrian has been the subject of criticism because she refused to recuse herself from a proposed $1.3 billion rate hike sought by Florida Power & Light Co. An intervenor wanted her off the case because her interactions with FPL executives at an energy conference raised questions about her ability to be impartial.
After cleaning house with his two new appointments last week, Crist on Friday asked the regulators to postpone any further action on the FPL hearing and another $500 million rate increase sought by Progress Energy Florida.
McMurrian’s resignation comes as the PSC is discussing the outcome of an internal ethics investigation about her behavior and other issues involving possible conflict of interest between the regulators and their staff and the utilities they oversee.
“The Commission has been asked to delay our vote on major cases until the new Commission is in place. I respect this request and want to ensure that the new Commission is positioned to set the course for the agency, one guided by different leadership,” McMurrian wrote in a resignation letter to Crist today.
After Jan. 1, Crist will have appointed all five members of the panel, including Commissioner Lisa Edgar, first appointed to the post by Gov. Jeb Bush. Crist’s latest picks – former newspaper editorial writer David Klement and Pensacola bar owner and manager Benjamin “Steve” Stevens – have no experience with utilities, tilting the panel away from those with connections to the energy industry or the commission itself for the first time in decades.
That’s when Commissioner Nancy Argenziano, a former state senator and vocal critic of the PSC, will take over as chairwoman. She’s asked state prosecutors to look into allegations of wrongdoing at the agency and wants a revamp of the way the PSC is organized.
PSC lawyers are still checking into whether the rate cases votes can be postponed in response to Crist’s request. Because he is not an intervenor in the case, he may not have standing to ask for a delay on the hearings.
Tags: Charlie Crist, Florida Power & Light, FPL, Katrina McMurrian, PSC, Public Service Commission
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October 5th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
One rat gone!!!!!!!!!!!
October 5th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
One down, what about the other four?
• Commissioner Nancy Argenziano is alleged to have business dealings with a lobbyist for municipal electric companies in Florida who appeared in commission proceedings and whose interests are affected by commission decisions.
• Commissioner Matthew M. Carter II has been under “public opinion” pressure to fire his advisor as a result of the advisor sharing his Blackberry “PIN” with industry representatives.
• Commissioner Lisa Polak Edgar has been accused of wrongly sharing her Blackberry PIN with industry representatives and of improperly communicating with Florida Power & Light during a hearing.
• Commissioner Nathan A. Skop, who also attended the same Standard & Poor’s annual utility conference, will presumably be subject to the same criticism and scrutiny as that leveled against McMurrian.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
[...] Across Florida What’s happening on other political blogs? « PSC utility regulator McMurrian quits [...]
October 5th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
GOVERNOR APPOINTS FICPA LEADER TO PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Tallahassee – Ben A. “Steve” Stevens, CPA, a member and immediate past president of the FICPA was appointed yesterday by Governor Charlie Crist to serve on the Florida Public Service Commission.
Serving as budget chief for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office until December 2008, Stevens finished the last six months of his term as FICPA President focusing on leading the 19,000-member organization through lean economic times and through significant changes in the Florida CPA licensure standards. With the support of his fellow executive committee and board members, Stevens supported the passage of legislation during the 2009 session that created CPA licensure mobility similar to legislation passed by over 45 other states.
“I am thrilled to have my predecessor as FICPA President serving as the newest Commissioner on the Public Service Commission,” said Jose Valiente, FICPA’s 2009-10 President. “I know he will bring a strong financial and fiscal discipline to the commission’s deliberations.”
Stevens finished his term as FICPA President in June 2009 and now serves as chairman of the FICPA’s Committee on Nominations.
“Since the day I passed the CPA exam, I knew my career would be devoted to this profession,” said Stevens. “I strongly believe in the standards of the CPA profession. As a former local government employee and current small business owner I know what it takes to maintain fiscal soundness and to keep a balanced budget. I am excited about the challenges ahead.”
“We are thankful that Governor Crist accepted our recommendation for Steve’s appointment to the PSC and know he will be an asset to the Commission.” said FICPA CEO-Executive Director Kathy Anderson.
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October 5th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
[...] Service Commissioner Katrina McMurrian, who quit her post this morning effective immediately, expanded on her resignation in a [...]
October 5th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
[...] Charlie Crist will replace Katrina McMurrian, who abruptly resigned from the Public Service Commission this morning, to fill out the less than three months remaining in her [...]