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Gov. Scott names appointments to fill two openings on Public Service Commission

 
Published Sept. 18, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott announced his two picks for open seats on the state Public Service Commission on Thursday, including one reappointment of a Tampa lawyer.

The Senate still must confirm the appointments of existing Commissioner Julie Brown, 39, who first joined the PSC in 2011, and state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, 42, of Panama City, who is vice president of Captain Anderson's Restaurant.

Patronis would fill a seat vacated by Eduardo Balbis, who announced in May that he would not seek reappointment.

"Julie has done an excellent job during her time on the Public Service Commission, and I am confident that she will continue serving Florida families with honesty and integrity," Scott said in a statement. "I look forward to continuing to work with her, and the rest of the PSC, to keep the cost of living low in the Sunshine State."

About Patronis, Scott noted: "Rep. Patronis has faithfully served Florida families during his years of service in the Florida House of Representatives. I am confident that Jimmy will make an excellent addition to the Public Service Commission as he continues to put Florida families first."

Critics of the PSC said they hope Patronis ensures that the commission moves toward protecting consumers more than the state utilities.

The PSC "has given every big utility a rate increase in the last 18 months," said Susan Glickman of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which regularly participates in hearings before the commission. "We hope Rep. Patronis shows leadership and truly represents the public interest. Julie Brown is a reappointment, so nothing changes there."

Contact Ivan Penn at ipenn@tampabay.com or (727) 892-2332. Follow @Consumers_Edge.