Saari Approved by Senate Committee

Facing questions about his time spent working with Consumers Energy, Norm Saari, former chief of staff for House Speaker Kevin Cotter was approved for appointment to the Public Service Commission (PSC) at a Senate advice and consent hearing on Thursday.

Mr. Saari quickly set the tone for the hearing, first responding to questioning from Senator Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) about the ongoing investigation by the House Business Office surrounding Representatives Courser (R-Silverwood) and Gamrat (R-Plainwell), stating that he is not in a position to comment on a situation that is under an open investigation. After directing the attention to his appointment to the Public Service Commission, Mr. Saari stated that he understood his duty would be to balance the needs of regulated utilities and ratepayers as a member of the PSC. He further dismissed concerns of his ability to be unbiased on the commission saying that he has no financial interests in any company that is regulated by the Public Service Commission.

Following questioning about current energy policy and his opinions on new technologies from various members of the panel, such as Senator Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth), Senator Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), and Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), Mr. Saari’s appointment to the Public Service Commission was recommended for Senate approval with a vote of 6-1. Senator David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) was the lone vote against the recommendation citing the ongoing investigation as his reasoning behind the vote. Senator Hopgood abstained from voting and Senators Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) and Steve Bieda (D-Warren) were absent from the hearing.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 14, 2015 12:46 PM
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