Jim Rosica
State Rep. Tom Goodson, a Brevard County Republican, is among 14 applicants so far for vacancies on the state’s Public Service Commission, according to a preliminary list released Monday.
The terms of Commissioners Art Graham and Ronald Brisé are up at the end of the year, but both men have reapplied for their positions. They were last reappointed by Gov. Rick Scott in 2013.
Applications for those two spots are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Applications for a third PSC opening, created when Commissioner Jimmy Patronis stepped down to replace Jeff Atwater as the state’s CFO, aren’t due till July 28.
The commission regulates the state’s biggest investor-owned electric utilities, including Tampa Electric Co., as well as natural gas, water and sewer utilities, and reviews and approves proposed rate increases.
Goodson, first elected to the House in 2010, chairs the Agriculture and Property Rights subcommittee. He’s a “road contractor” by trade, according to his House member page.
Other applicants include:
— Former state Rep. Kenneth Littlefield, a Pasco County Republican who once chaired the House Utilities & Telecommunications Committee. Littlefield is a former PSC member, having been put on the commission by former Gov. Jeb Bush in 2006. Then-Gov. Charlie Crist replaced him the following year.
— Associate Public Counsel Erik Sayler. The Office of Public Counsel represents the interests of ratepayers before the commission.
— Steven Petty, an adjunct economics professor at Flagler College and former chief economist for Florida TaxWatch.
— Bill Veach, deputy county manager of Lake County.
— Clay Lindstrom, who until recently was director of the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority. Lindstrom was fired last week after a controversy over businesses not paying utility deposits.
— Jim Overton, former Jacksonville City Council member and Duval County Property Appraiser.
— Bill Conrad, former mayor of Newberry in Alachua County.
The applications go to the Public Service Commission Nominating Council, which is responsible for “screening and nominating applicants.” Commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The pay is $131,036 per year.
