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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report: Florida's PSC "Captured" by Utility Industry

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Monday, October 2, 2017   

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Is Florida's Public Service Commission serving the public – or is it serving the utilities it regulates?

That's the question raised in a new report detailing how power companies in the state wield what researchers say is too much influence over the governor and legislature.

Ben Wilcox, research director of Integrity Florida and a coauthor of the report, says the commission has been "captured" by the industries it regulates.

"When I say 'captured,' that means that the utilities have been able, through their campaign contributions and lobbying, to exert influence on the legislature and control the selection of the public service commissioners,” he explains. “And they also have oversight over the Office of Public Counsel, which is supposed to represent the public."

The utility companies have vigorously rejected similar claims by Integrity Florida, and point to rate reductions some consumers have seen over the years as progress.

The report suggests the public isn't being adequately represented by the commission, whose five members are appointed by the governor.

Wilcox recommends changing the PSC to an elected body, or a mix of elected and appointed members, to make it more accountable to the people.

"Doing so would give the public a voice in selecting the members of the Public Service Commission,” he states. “Currently, the public doesn't have a voice in that process."

Wilcox also recommends Florida follow best practices from other states such as Ohio, where commission membership also includes a representative from a consumer group and other professional organizations.





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