(Newswire.net — October 29, 2014) Mandeville, LA — Energy expert Forest Wright told the Alliance for Good Government tonight he wants to get the Public Service Commission out of the pocket of the big utilities companies.
In a speech to the Alliance for Good Government in New Orleans, Wright, a Republican, took dead aim at the questionable ethical record of PSC Chairman Eric Skrmetta.
“I will not take any campaign contributions from the big utility companies who are regulated by the commission,” Wright said. “My opponent, Eric Skrmetta, is a captive of those utility companies and does their bidding on the commission. Skrmetta has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the utilities he supposedly regulates.”
Wright pointed to the massive campaign contributions from big utility companies as the reason Skrmetta has repeatedly sided with utility companies over the public interest as commissioner.
“Skrmetta is bought and paid for by the utilities and he is not functioning as a regulator of the utilities … he is functioning as their advocate … he is almost functioning as their employee. That has to change,” Wright said. “The big utility companies are not the enemy here. They are acting in their own self-interest … as they should. The problem is with Eric Skrmetta. When the regulator is captured by the utilities what you get are the misguided policies practiced by Eric Skrmetta … and the public literally pays the price.”
Following are Forest Wright’s planned verbatim remarks to the Alliance for Good Government. (Note to Editors and Reporters – these remarks may be quoted directly as statements of Forest Wright, Republican candidate for the Public Service Commission) :
Forest Wright: Opening Remarks AGG – 2 Minutes
Thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight.
My name is Forest Wright … and as you consider your endorsement there are some things you should know about me.
I didn’t always know it but my entire life has been preparing me for this moment … to offer myself as a candidate for the PSC.
When it comes to energy policy … I bring a wide range of experiences to the table.
My first job out of college was with Shell Oil.
I was here during Katrina … and I never left. I’ve been a part of the rebuilding of our economy and the development of a robust private-sector alternative energy community.
I am an expert on energy policy and, as a private citizen and advocate, I have closely studied the operations and decision making of the Public Service Commission.
My experience tells me this … the big utility companies have too much power over the decision-making at the PSC … particularly with Commission Chairman Eric Skrmetta.
This year’s race for Public Service Commission is a clear opportunity to change Louisiana for the better … by putting public service back in the Public Service Commission.
I’m running to change how the PSC operates.
I will not take any campaign contributions from the big utility companies who are regulated by the commission.
My opponent, Eric Skrmetta, is a captive of those utility companies and does their bidding on the commission.
Skrmetta has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the utilities he supposedly regulates.
As a private citizen and an expert on energy policy, I’ve pushed the P.S.C. to adopt a conservative, private sector approach to energy conservation. The policy would save consumers millions of dollars over time.
Those policy changes were to take effect October 1st – but Skrmetta and the utilities apparently colluded to block them.
Skrmetta sided with the utilities who are funding his campaign… and against the people of Louisiana.
My name is Forest Wright. It is time to change the PSC for the better. I would appreciate your endorsement and your support.
Forest Wright – Closing Remarks AGG – 2 Minutes
Public Service Commissioner isn’t a glamorous race.
There are two types of who run for P-S-C.
The ones who get asked to run by the utility companies themselves in order to help them from the inside.
And the ones with the expertise and vision to make a difference.
Ask yourself – who’s looking out for you?
Eric Skrmetta … A bought-and-paid-for politician who’s in the pocket of utility companies he’s suppose to be regulating… who’s taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from those same companies… and who’s sided with them time and time again over the best interest of Louisiana families?
Or me … Forest Wright … an expert on energy policy who has dedicated his career to understanding and improving the way energy production affects our economy and our community in Louisiana.
My candidacy isn’t funded by the big utility companies.
I’m not accepting money from the big utility companies.
We need fresh ideas.
We need a new direction.
The big utility companies are not the enemy here. They are acting in their own self-interest … as they should.
The problem is with Eric Skrmetta. He serves on the Public Service Commission which exists for the purpose of representing the interests of the public.
The big utility companies are given the right to operate by the people. The PSC exists to represent the public and to protect the public interest. The PSC is supposed to regulate the utilities.
When the regulator is captured by the utilities what you get are the misguided policies practiced by Eric Skrmetta … and the public literally pays the price.
Skrmetta is bought and paid for by the utilities and he is not functioning as a regulator of the utilities … he is functioning as their advocate … he is almost functioning as their employee.
That has to change.
I’m Forest Wright.
I’m on your side.
And I’m asking for your endorsement and your support.
Thank you.