PUC Chair Smitherman Could Get Top ERCOT Job
Can an energy regulator who’s on the board of an entity he oversees apply for the top job there? Industry and government sources say that’s what Barry Smitherman, the chairman of Texas’ influential Public Utility Commission, is doing. And energy watchdogs are wary.
Smitherman isn’t just a governor-appointed public utility commissioner who's responsible for regulating the electric industry. He’s also an ex-officio member of the board of directors of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), a nonprofit that manages the flow of power across much of the state. Industry insiders and government sources say ...
Comments (5)
eyeswideopen
Mr. Smitherman has been nothing but an advocate for the large utility companies since he was first appointed by Perry. Look at his record.
The Big's got everything they wanted with regards to electricity deregulation, a refund of millions after they prematurely purchased smart meters that were not up to spec, and ERCOT got nothing but a hand slap for over spending and failing to meet guidelines and timelines. Smitherman and Perry have turned our Public Utility Commission into the Utility's Utility Commission and have cost Texan's billions in doing so.
SEC regulators have for years gone out of their way to keep from developing an adversarial relationship with Wall Street'ers because the longterm goal for most was to eventually go to work for one of them. Smitherman, in my opinion, has prostituted himself in the same manner.
think
The same thing was done by Bush's appointees. Industry and for profit interests (and self interests) that are unethically in conflict with their public interest positiions are being blatantly pursued.
Talk about the total disregard for public trust and perception. That borders Duke Cunningham type profiteering.
Where are the laws protecting consumers and the public from the racketeering behavior and industry colluders. Maybe Perry needs to make a deal like Palin did to step down in order to avoid prosecution. If Bush was already at a low point then went even further with Wall Street Meltdown/Recession and 700 zillion bailout, that made it clear his type shouldn't ever be in public office.. The end of an error.
eyeswideopen
Think ...not sure why you want to make this out to be a Repulican/Bush/Perry phenomenon.
This has been going on for decades, although I will say that it gained speed under Bush's watch.
think
To eyeswideopen: We are in Texas. Bush, Perry have been at the helm for almost twenty years and GOP currently has majority in major offices and agency heads because of govenor's apponting ability. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to go on Bush's governor and presidencial record ( in line with these exact same conflicts of interest: representing industry from the very agencies who are supposed to represent Texan's, i.e. people's and consumer's, best interest.). Bush did it with EPA, where he abolished 70 pretective laws to hand power to industry.
If this was called the East Coast Tribune writing a story where Democrats had domination for 20 yrs at all highest levels , and a two term president return to the state ( where he also had been governor) to continue his one sided agenda and people aligned with all that, then I'd be claiming there was a democratic problem. But this is Texas and democrats haven't had appointing power for long time to get blame for this.
mr_ed308
I really think he would hate the job if he got it.