PSC commissioner resigns to take federal post

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A member of Wisconsin’s public utility regulatory board has resigned to take a job with the U.S Department of Energy.

Lauren Azar said in a statement that she’s leaving the Public Service Commission after four years to serve as a senior adviser to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. She will work on improvements to the nation’s electrical infrastructure.

Commission Chairman Phil Montgomery thanked Azar for her service to “protect the ratepayers” of Wisconsin.

Azar’s departure gives Gov. Scott Walker a second appointee to the three-person commission. Walker appointed Montgomery chairman of the commission in March. Each commissioner serves a six-year term.

The Public Service Commission is responsible for regulation of state public utilities. A bill passed by the Legislature earlier this month weakened the commission’s regulatory power.

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