Former state Rep. Phil Montgomery named PSC chairman Subscribe News 12/4/14, 2:35 PM Subscriber Login Watchdog Opinion Sports Business Food Entertainment Business Lifestyle Multimedia By Thomas Content of the Journal Sentinel 4 Marketplace Jobs Autos Homes Home » Business Former state Rep. Phil Montgomery named PSC chairman Tweet Today's Paper Search JSOnline Recommend 53 March 28, 2011 SHARE 1 EMAIL PRINT Updated: 11:53 a.m. Rudy’s to close, will reopen as Vagabond 10:52 a.m. Online organic grocer says it will add Milwaukee service 10:06 a.m. Mortgage rates fall for fourth week in a row 9:50 a.m. Northwestern Mutual to have two floats in Rose Parade Yesterday 9:09 p.m. SEC alleges fraud by ex-Assisted Living Concepts executives 3:21 p.m. Honda to expand air bag recall nationwide (8) COMMENTS Former state lawmaker Phil Montgomery will chair the state Public Service Commission, Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday. Montgomery, a Republican who represented the Green Bay area in the Legislature, worked on utility, energy and telecommunications issues during his 12 years as a state representative. He served as chairman of the Assembly's energy and utilities committee. Montgomery will join the commission Monday and will replace Commissioner Mark Meyer, a former state senator whose PSC term recently expired. Montgomery will be paid $120,000 a year. Remaining on the commission are two members appointed by former Gov. Jim Doyle: former Chairman Eric Callisto and Lauren Azar. Michael Sears Phil Montgomery "Phil will help protect ratepayers and ensure our state has a sustainable and economical network of power production facilities," Walker said in a statement. "He has extensive knowledge of energy issues in Wisconsin and his unique leadership qualities will make him an excellent PSC chairman. Holding down the cost of producing energy will be a key part of ensuring Wisconsin has a business climate that allows the private sector to create 250,000 new jobs." R.J. Pirlot, director of legislative relations at Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state's largest business lobby, will be Montgomery's executive assistant, the governor's office said. The PSC regulates energy, telecommunications and water utilities, setting rates and voting on whether major construction projects like power plants and power lines are needed. Montgomery is the former chairman of the Assembly energy and utilities committee. He was a co-author of the bill that created the state's renewable energy mandate and stopped budget transfers of energy efficiency funds, but last year he opposed the Clean Energy Jobs Act, an initiative of the Doyle administration that would have required utilities to get 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The bill also would have relaxed Wisconsin's moratorium on construction of nuclear power plants. Montgomery supported an outright repeal of the state's moratorium on nuclear power plants. In an interview, Montgomery said he did not want to discuss specifics on issues that he may soon have to decide upon as a commissioner, but he said he looked forward to working to advance the governor's jobs agenda from an energy perspective. "I'm very excited to be able to do it," he said. "It requires a lot more due diligence and a lot more delving into the individual topics, much more from a regulatory than a legislative perspective." During his 12 years on the Legislature, Montgomery received $24,540 in campaign contributions from energy-related companies and organizations and $10,800 from the companies in the telecommunications and computer sector, according to statistics from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's database. The only sector that provided more to Montgomery than energy was manufacturing. Have Microsoft Shares Gone Toohe Farwas a legislator, andSprint To Halve Rivals’ Billsfor In the "He was very friendly to industry when was Offers seen as carrying water Too Fast? industry and the utilities," said Mike McCabe, Effortexecutive To Bouncedirector Back telecommunications of the Democracy Bloomberg TIME Magazine Campaign. "Consumer advocates would naturally have concerns about somebody who seemed so supportive of industry now being in a position of overseeing those industries." NATIONAL BUSINESS VIDEO Honda: 'We'll Expand Air Bag Recall Nationwide' AP Montgomery said the financial backing he received as a legislator would not pose any concern for him now that he will be a regulator. "No," he said. "It's about moving the state forward. It was not a concern in the Legislature; it's not a concern now. It's about moving policy forward." http://www.jsonline.com/business/118788659.html Page 1 of 3 Former state Rep. Phil Montgomery named PSC chairman 12/4/14, 2:35 PM concern now. It's about moving policy forward." Until January, Montgomery served on the board of directors of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a national organization that works on development of state-level polices that promote limited government, free markets and federalism. Two customer groups representing energy users said they looked forward to working with Montgomery in his new role. "Wisconsin's manufacturers need a regulatory environment that promotes job creation with affordable and reliable energy," said Todd Stuart, executive director of Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, in a statement. More videos: Charlie Higley, executive director of the Wisconsin Citizens' Utility Board, said Montgomery voted in December to oppose higher funding levels for state energy efficiency initiatives. Despite that, Higley said, "we hope he will support the Focus on Energy program, which is administered by Have Microsoft Sprint Offers To Honda: 'We'll the PSC, and which provides the best defense for households and businesses against rising costs for energy." Air Canada Starbucks Concept Car Brings FROM THE AP 8 Comments » Recommend 53 people recommend this. Read and share your thoughts on this story. National business coverage from the Associated Press Senators warn NFL to drop blackout rule voluntarily or risk congressional action From around the web and the Journal Sentinel Facing premium increases, Obama administration urges HealthCare.gov customers to shop around 7 Ways to Get Rid of Negative Energy and Become Positive QuotesPaper Government terrorism insurance program faces lapse, alarming business sectors Beacons hit stores ahead of holidays, but will they be a gift or a lump of coal for shoppers? 9 Jackets Perfect for Summer Putin strikes defiant note against the West but offers few major reforms for economic woes Minq US stocks recover losses on reports ECB plans big stimulus package; Barnes & Noble drops Theater Review - Smoots' Scrooge has right spirit in Milwaukee Rep's 'Christmas Carol' European Central Bank's Draghi says decision on new stimulus measures due early next year MOST POPULAR - BUSINESS Wind gusts stall launch of new Orion spacecraft most read commented e-mailed Menu rules present new challenges for restaurants, food retailers More from around the web More from the Journal Sentinel 19 Annoying Things People Do On Planes That Just Tick You Off! (Swifty) Sturgill Simpson; Jon Wayne & the Pain; Sally Barris, Jon Vezner & Don Henry and more What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do (GoWeLoveIt.info) New MKE Music: Signif, Tay Butler & P-Rock JSOnline Recreation Comes Naturally to the Hammock Coast (Dream Plan Go) US hostage threatened in Al-Qaida video is Beloit College grad Holiday Cocktail Party Ideas: Simple & Modern (Gallery) (HGTV) Theater Review - Smoots' Scrooge has right spirit in Milwaukee Rep's 'Christmas Carol' 10 Celebs Who Started from the Bottom and Rose to the Top (Womenosophy) Opening this week: 'Force Majeure,' about disasters real and man-made Diesel fuel prices remain stubbornly high Rudy's Mexican Restaurant to close, will reopen as Vagabond SEC alleges former Assisted Living Concepts executives engaged in fraud Harley makes quiet entrance at Sustainable Business confab more most popular content... Promoted Links by Taboola E-mail Newsletter Get today's business headlines delivered to your inbox Monday-Friday during the noon hour – or whenever there’s big breaking news. enter your e-mail address Sign Up Now! Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter Login or Register to manage all your newsletter preferences. http://www.jsonline.com/business/118788659.html Page 2 of 3 Former state Rep. Phil Montgomery named PSC chairman News Connect with us Watchdog 12/4/14, 2:35 PM Opinion Sports Business Contact us About us Food Entertainment Facebook Newsletters Phone numbers Journal Sentinel Twitter Today's paper Manage account Journal Communications Google Plus Subscription services Advertising YouTube Archives Paid Death Notices RSS Historical Archives Back copies Lifestyle Multimedia Partners Digital access FAQ Mobile Apps Place an Ad © 2014 Journal Sentinel, Inc. PRIVACY POLICY/YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS Terms of Use Thursday, December 4, 2014 http://www.jsonline.com/business/118788659.html Page 3 of 3