Governor Wants Another List of Finalists for PUCO Chair

In a rare move, Gov. Mike DeWine this week rejected the first round of nominees to replace former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Chairman Sam Randazzo. As permitted by law, Gov. DeWine requested a second and final list from the PUCO Nominating Council.

Hannah News Service reported that the governor “said he will consider previous applicants as well as new ones,” leaving the door open to further consideration of DeWine policy adviser Anne Vogel, consumer advocate Greg Poulos, and federal energy adviser Angela Amos. The list of applicants is now shorter since former Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Judith French was recently appointed director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.

The nominating council is scheduled to meet today (Friday, Jan. 22) to conduct interviews for a separate PUCO appointment as Commissioner Dennis Deters’ term expires in April. 1/22/2021