TEXAS’ FINAL PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION MEMBER RESIGNS AT GOV. ABBOTT’S REQUEST

  

The chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) has resigned, leaving the three-seat commission with no members.

First reported by The Texas Tribune, Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday confirmed the resignation of Arthur D’Andrea.  D’Andrea was the final member of the commission that regulates the state’s electric, telecommunication and water and sewer utilities.

D’Andrea had been appointed chair of the commission to replace previous chair DeAnn Walker following her resignation in the aftermath of February’s winter storm.  The other commissioner, Shelly Botkin, resigned a week after Walker.

In a statement, Abbott said he asked for and accepted D’Andrea’s resignation Tuesday night.  He said he plans to name “a replacement in the coming days who will have the responsibility of charting a new and fresh course for the agency.”

Abbott said, “Texans deserve to have trust and confidence in the Public Utility Commission, and this action is one of many steps that will be taken to achieve that goal.”