HELENA, Montana — The Montana Public Service Commission elected its leadership today, unanimously re-electing James Brown (R-Dillon) as the Commission's President and Jennifer Fielder (R-Thompson Falls) as its Vice President. Fielder succeeds Commissioner Brad Johnson (R-East Helena), who was term-limited after serving eight years on the Commission.
"I appreciate the confidence shown in me by my commission colleagues to continue in the role as Commission President," Brown said. "Two years ago, I made a pledge to move the PSC forward and to set it on a path toward becoming a model state agency. Much progress has been made in achieving that shared goal; and I am pleased to work with each of my commission colleagues in managing this important regulatory agency."
Fielder, who joined the Commission in 2021, said it will be an honor to serve in leadership with Brown. "I look forward to helping President Brown and the rest of the Commission in any way I can as we continue efforts to improve agency operations, implement a solid strategic plan, and fairly balance the interests of regulated companies and the public they, and we, serve," she said.
In addition to holding its officer election, the Commission welcomed Dr. Ann Bukacek (R-Kalispell) to the Commission. Voters from Flathead, Lake, Teton, and Lewis and Clark counites elected Bukacek in November to Commission District 5.
Bukacek spent the last 30 years of her medical career practicing in Montana. Bukacek has also volunteered as a leader in several grassroots organizations, working with citizens and the Montana Legislature for more than a decade.
"A doctor practices effective medicine by listening to patients, employing critical thinking, doing research, and analyzing data to make good decisions and recommendations to solve patient problems," said Bukacek.
"I am determined to use those same skills to make the best decisions to keep public services working and affordable for my fellow Montanans. Even while campaigning for office, I was already preparing to serve by doing research. My primary focus was studying how to avoid energy and water shortages and optimizing access to affordable, reliable power and water without forgetting people's needs of the other public utilities."
Randy Pinocci (R-Sun River) was elected to a second four-year term in November, representing Commission District 1. "In my second term, I am looking forward to meeting the challenges of resource adequacy and ensuring energy is both reliable and affordable," Pinocci said. "If Montana produces more affordable energy in the state, we can save costs for the ratepayers, lowering their utility bills. I plan to continue working on the energy efficiency investigation I initiated to promote the use of more efficient and resilient infrastructure, including high-efficiency power lines. This would solve problems associated with current lines by reducing line loss by a third, prevent fires because these lines resist sagging, and make the lines more resilient to extreme conditions. I am asking the ratepayers to be involved in meeting these goals and encourage anyone to reach out and contact me at 406-444-6166."
The Public Service Commission regulates private investor-owned natural gas, electric, telephone, water, and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and oversees natural gas pipeline safety and intrastate railroad safety. The elected, five-member Commission and its expert staff work to fairly balance the interests of regulated companies and the public they serve. For more information, visit https://psc.mt.gov, call 1-800-646-6150, follow the Commission at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC, or check for updates at Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.
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