This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, June 1, 2012 - Gov. Jay Nixon once again nominated a former state senator to serve on the Public Service Commission, a powerful agency tasked with regulating utilities.
Nixon tapped Steve Stoll, a Festus native who until recently was Jefferson County’s director of administration, to serve on the PSC. He served in the Missouri Senate from 1999 to 2005 and made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2004. And from 1993 to 1999, Stoll served in the Missouri House, representing parts of Jefferson County.
Stoll was appointed to the PSC in December 2011, but his nomination was withdrawn after the Missouri Senate didn’t vote on his appointment. The Associated Press reported earlier this year that the GOP senators had no problem with Stoll’s nomination, but wanted the governor to fill a vacancy caused by Republican Jeff Davis’ departure.
Nixon still hasn't appointed a replacement for what was Davis' spot on the commission.
The PSC currently consists of two Democrats -- Webster Groves native Kevin Gunn and St. Louis resident Robert Kenney -- and Republican Terry Jarrett of Jefferson City. A PSC commissioner makes $105,070 a year.
In a statement, Nixon said Stoll has “decades of experience in state, county and local government that will make him an invaluable member of the Public Service Commission.
“Steve has focused his career on helping move his community and our state forward, and I know he will be a fair, responsible and effective utility regulator for Missouri,” Nixon said. “He will help ensure that Missouri families, businesses and communities have access to affordable, abundant and reliable utilities.”
If his nomination is approved by the Missouri Senate, Stoll’s term on the PSC will stretch until Dec. 13, 2017.
