Along with lawmakers and judges, voters in Northwest Montana will choose their next district commissioner on the Public Service Commission.
Republican Brad Johnson, a former Montana secretary of state from East Helena, is squaring off against Democrat Galen Hollenbaugh, a four-term state representative from Helena, for District 5’s open seat on the PSC. Current commissioner, Republican Bill Gallagher of Helena, is not running for re-election.
The District 5 seat represents six counties in Northwest Montana and across the Rocky Mountain Front, including Browning, Conrad and Choteau.
The PSC is a quasi-judicial executive branch of the state government that is responsible for overseeing regulations of public utilities, including electric, gas, telephone, water and private sewer services. The commission also regulates intrastate railroads and certain motor carriers, including taxis, while overseeing natural gas pipeline safety rules. Its primary task under state law is to ensure that public utilities in Montana provide adequate service to customers at reasonable rates.
Hollenbaugh is trying to be the only Democrat on the five-member PSC.
The 43-year-old, who works as an administrator for the state’s Labor Department, describes himself as a consumer advocate who would keep the PSC from “being a rubber stamp” for energy companies.
“This is a commission that through rate increases has a daily impact on the pocket books of families and businesses in this state,” he said. “The fact that these rubber stamp rate increases have continued to pile on has made it impossible for families and business to succeed and thrive.”
Hollenbaugh said the job of the PSC should be to put the consumer first instead of helping corporations turn a profit.
“The consumer needs a voice on the commission,” he said. “My record as a four-term legislator shows that I have the ability to sit down and work across the aisle.”
Hollenbaugh cited his work as the vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, which passed the state budget 100-0 last session. He said he supports exploring all energy development options.
“Let’s make sure we’re actually developing all energy and not just favoring one or two industries,” he said. “Let’s also make sure we include in that option the ability to conserve.”
Johnson, an independent consultant who works with energy companies, including Florida-based EcoSphere Energy, said he would provide important experience and a well-rounded background on the PSC. He served as secretary of state from 2005-2009 and has also been a member of the State Land Board.
Johnson said he strongly opposes the president’s clean energy plan, and “that’s a fight I think we need to be actively involved in.”
“I do agree that we need an all-of-the-above energy policy. Nontraditional sources are great but the time has come where they need to stand on their own two feet without subsidies or mandates,” he said.
Johnson disagreed with Hollenbaugh’s assessment that the current PSC has been overly favored energy companies’ interests.
“The utilities are not inherently evil,” he said.
“There’s a balance between protecting the interests of rate payers but doing it in a way that allows utilities to remain viable economically, that’s an imp balance to recognize,” he said.
Johnson said it’s important for the PSC to work together to find common ground that benefits both consumers and utilities. He also believes the state can regain its former prosperity by further tapping into its energy resources.
“I’m an outdoors guy and I want to see us preserve our pristine places. But the official motto of the state of Montana still is ‘The Treasure State,’” he said. “We are richly blessed with an abundance of resources that I think we should be developing.” The election is Nov. 4.