(WKYT) – A Kentucky Senate bill that would change the makeup of the agency overseeing electric rate decisions advanced in committee Wednesday.
Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, would expand the Public Service Commission from three to five members. Smith said constituents in his district have been struggling with high electric bills.
“It went from alarm to now just desperation. Not an answer that I can give them,” Smith said.
PSC expansion at center of bill
Smith said the PSC is where electric rate decisions originate and that the current board is not large enough to handle the complexity of today’s utility issues.
“We want to have it diverse and have them paid. To have the technology to be able to tackle and represent Kentucky in the best way,” Smith said.
“I think most will agree that having that level of expertise, which we have never had before, will be better for Kentucky,” he added.
Bill passes committee with one ‘no’ vote
The bill passed out of committee with one dissenting vote. Rep. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, raised concerns about the role of the attorney general under the proposed legislation.
“Trying to get a handle on who the AG will be representing. The people or the industry. I don’t think that was clarified for me,” Herron said.
The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
Kentucky’s Public Service Commission said it does not have a comment on the bill at this time. Kentucky Utilities and the state’s electric cooperatives said they are still reviewing the bill.