Written by
The Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. - A leading Senate Republican says she expects the full Senate to reject Gov. Mark Dayton's choice to lead the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
Senators plan to vote Monday on Ellen Anderson's appointment to lead the PUC. Sen. Julianne Ortman says Friday that Republicans believe Anderson has an "extreme record" on energy and environmental issues.
Dayton appointed Anderson last year to lead the commission that regulates Minnesota's electricity, natural gas and telephone utilities. She was previously a state senator from St. Paul for nearly two decades, where she chaired the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee.
Anderson's voting record as PUC chair includes 215 votes in the majority, including 204 unanimous votes. She has voted in the minority on only six occasions thus far. Dayton administration insiders say that should prove Anderson is not out of step with the mainstream.
While in the Senate Anderson was a strong advocate of raising renewable energy and wind energy standards in Minnesota. She was also an advocate of stronger environmental regulations, which put her at odds with Republicans who believe businesses are already over regulated.
The utilities commission chairmanship can easily become a point of contention amid the ongoing political wrangling over climate change. Most elected Republicans belive that manmade causes have not contributed to global warming, sea temperature changes and loss of ice in the polar caps.
Ortman says the Senate will also vote Monday on Dayton's choices to lead the departments of Transportation, Public Safety and Natural Resources and is likely to confirm all three.
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