Question: What is your relationship with the state legislature? Do lawmakers in your state show interest in utility regulation? Should PUCs work more closely with state legislatures?Response by Boyce Griffith, Chairman, West Virginia Public Service Commission:
The West Virginia PSC's relationship with the legislature is good. The West Virginia legislature has been active in utility regulation. I believe West Virginia utilities already work closely with the legislature and will continue to do so. [End of Boyce response]
Response by Steve Ellenbecker, Chairman, Wyoming Public Service Commission:
The Wyoming PSC has a positive and open working relationship with our legislature that has served it well during the rapid emergence of competitive forces in the natural gas, telecommunications, and electric industries. The relationship is not confined to times when the legislature is actually in session, but is characterized by continuing contacts and collaboration throughout the year on utility matters ranging from state and national legislative developments to constituent questions and infrastructure problems. This relationship has been strengthened through the process, begun in May 1994, of successful
collaboration in the development of the Wyoming Telecommunications Act of 1995 and a companion bill covering gas and electric utilities, both of which give significant flexibility to the PSC and to regulated industries in meeting the challenges of developing healthy competition in the marketplaces. The active participation of our governor has reinforced the entire process.