PSC tables change in chairman selection

The Georgia Public Service Commission on Tuesday tabled its recent action to choose its chairman in a way the state attorney general later said violates law.

Commissioners in May voted 3-2 to increase to two years from one year the tenure of the commission chairman. It also would allow commissioners to elect the chairman, rather than have the post rotate among members.

Last week, Attorney General Thurbert Baker said the action violated a 1992 Georgia law that set the method of selecting a PSC chairman.

Tuesday’s move to table passed 3-2, with commissioners voting along the same lines as in the May vote. Current chairman Doug Everett and commissioner Stan Wise, who support the change in the selection process, said Tuesday’s vote leaves things as though no action were taken by commissioners.

Everett said he hopes legislators next winter pass a bill that throws out the 1993 law.

“It’s not worth tilting at windmills today,” said Wise, who, with Everett and commissioner Lauren McDonald, said the state constitution grants commissioners the right to choose a chairman their way. They argued the proposed change would add continuity to the post. McDonald is scheduled to become the next chairman in January 2010 under the rotation system.

Commissioner Robert Baker questioned the sense in tabling the May action, saying the matter now is “in limbo.” He also said commissioners should respect the attorney general’s opinion, which he said left no ambiguity. Commissioner Chuck Eaton, who sought the attorney general’s opinion, voted with Baker.