Regulatory capture is the theory that regulators are often captured and controlled by the very industry they are charged with regulating in the public interest. When a regulatory agency acts as a revolving door for utility industry executives, familiarity and arrogance proliferates and leaves the public under served and holding the door.
Sadly, it looks like FirstEnergy is keeping its PSC Chairman Michael Albert on a very short leash. The Commissioner has been openly disparaging the members of the public who dared express their thoughts on FirstEnergy's unwise plant transfer proposal that will raise their electric rates 6% and lock them into paying for the company's cast-off, aging, power generator for the next 30 years.
Sadly, it looks like FirstEnergy is keeping its PSC Chairman Michael Albert on a very short leash. The Commissioner has been openly disparaging the members of the public who dared express their thoughts on FirstEnergy's unwise plant transfer proposal that will raise their electric rates 6% and lock them into paying for the company's cast-off, aging, power generator for the next 30 years.
But in lengthy opening remarks, Albert, a former utility company lawyer whose firm represents FirstEnergy, criticized what he said were inaccurate comments submitted to the PSC and reported by the media about the case. Albert did not provide any specific examples.
And he continues his assault on the public by ridiculing the citizens who went to great trouble and expense to show up for the hearing and plead their case in person.
Later, he said, "There was an awful lot of testimony (this morning, in the public portion), everybody said we can save the world by energy efficiency and demand response."
What an arrogant and thoughtless comment! I really don't believe anyone actually mentioned "saving the world." The public simply wants to save itself from further unnecessary and poorly planned FirstEnergy rate increases.
Obviously, Commissioner Albert isn't even capable of putting on his pleasant poker face and pretending to listen to the public he is sworn to serve. Commissioner Albert's decision appears to already be made.
Obviously, Commissioner Albert isn't even capable of putting on his pleasant poker face and pretending to listen to the public he is sworn to serve. Commissioner Albert's decision appears to already be made.
As for Chairman Albert: Not to place too much meaning on a small word choice, he spoke of the effect of the proposed transaction at the beginning of the hearing using "will" rather than "would."
Thankfully, his 6-year term as Chairman of the Public Service Commission will be expiring next month and Governor Tomblin will be free to appoint someone who is interested in serving the public, instead of serving his former colleagues and possible future employers at FirstEnergy.
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