Allen is appointed to PSC to replace 10-year veteran

Ron Allen, a Utah state senator and Democratic whip, was appointed to the state's Public Service Commission Wednesday, succeeding 10-year PSC veteran Connie White.

Pending confirmation, Allen said he will step down from the Senate, where he served for seven sessions. The transition will take place over the next couple weeks, he said.

"I'm excited and pleased that the governor would consider me for this appointment," Allen said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's a big job and responsibility, but I think I'm up for it."

In a statement released late Wednesday, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said, "Ron's experiences in business and public service have provided him with a broad background which will be a valuable asset to the citizens of our state as he serves in this capacity."

Tammy Kikuchi, spokeswoman for the governor's office, declined further comment.

Allen succeeds White, who was appointed to the commission in 1995 by former Gov. Mike Leavitt to serve a four-year term. She was reappointed in 1999 to a six-year term. White told the Deseret Morning News earlier this week that she had requested reappointment to the commission but was denied.

The commission is a three-member body charged with overseeing the state's utilities.

Its authority is far-reaching as it sets prices consumers pay to heat their homes, run their air conditioners and make telephone calls.

Allen said he recognized that his learning curve will be "steep" but said be believes his experience in business, as well as his tenure on the Energy and Electric Utilities Standing Committee of the National Conference of State Legislators, will serve him well.

"I have a strong background in accounting and business consulting, and I've operated my own business," he said. "I've done a lot of different things in life, traveled and worked in a lot of different venues. I have a broad background, which I believe and hope will be useful."

Allen has been a business owner for 30 years. He also served for nine years as the North Tooele County fire chief. He was elected to the Utah Senate in 1999.

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E-mail: jnii@desnews.com