Noel Backed for PSC Appointment

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Citing her “impeccable public integrity and judgment,” the Metro Washington Council’s Jos Williams will testify in support of Elizabeth "Betty" Noel at today’s D.C. City Council confirmation hearing for Noel’s appointment to the D.C. Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates Pepco, Washington Gas and Verizon. “Union members and working people are customers of these utilities too and, as their representatives, we have a vested interest in making sure that those appointed to serve on this important commission act in the public interest,” says Williams. Noel, the former People's Counsel for the District, "will be a tough and fair regulator,” Williams added. Noting that “one of the regulated utilities has opposed her nomination on the grounds that ‘public advocates’ have conflicts which should preclude their serving on the regulatory body,” Williams dismissed this as “a bogus claim,” pointing out that former public advocates serve on state utility commissions throughout the US,  including the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Final action will be taken on the Noel nomination at the November legislative meeting of the City Council. “Stay tuned for action alerts on the nomination,” says Metro Council Political Coordinator Rick Powell.