A bill lawmakers sent to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk would expand the Kentucky Public Service Commission. It could mean other changes.
Senate Bill 8 is among those lawmakers sent to the governor. Most notably, it would expand the Kentucky PSC from three members to five.
In its original form, the bill would have given the state auditor the power to appoint the two additional members. Now the governor would appoint all five, subject to Senate approval.
However, SB 8 would require that no more than three commission members be from the same political party.
Kent Chandler, a former chairman of the Kentucky PSC, said that’s a big change in how the nonpartisan commission has operated for the past 90 years.
“It's just just another wrinkle for all cases moving forward that haven't necessarily existed in any of the precedents or mergers or transitions that have occurred in the past,” he said.
The bill has an emergency clause, so it would take effect immediately with Beshear’s signature.
The commission decides whether to approve or deny utility rate increases and also considers merger proposals, including one by Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities.
“You could have a very different Public Service Commission reviewing this in May, June and July than exists today,” Chandler said.
The original bill would have limited the participation of advocacy groups in PSC cases, but that was removed after pushback from those groups.
It also would have moved the PSC under the auditor’s office, but now it remains with the Energy and Environment Cabinet.
The governor could sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.
LG&E and KU is a financial supporter of WEKU
