I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) which regulates utilities, communications, gas, electricity, and some transportation. I am running for the PSC because I believe that we need a change in direction for our energy future. My opponent wants to stay the course – and believes we can dig and drill our way out of our energy crisis. I think he is dead wrong.

Never has change been more urgently needed on the energy front than it is now!

Will we stay the course and continue our dependence on fossil fuels? Or chart a new direction where energy conservation and alternative renewable resources lead the way?

We are at a critical juncture; the questions we ask and how we respond to them will largely determine what kind of world we leave to our children, and they to theirs.

• How can we make energy conservation a top priority?
• How will the use of alternative energy affect our energy bills and our environment?
• Why do big oil companies make record profits while we pay more and more for gas and heat?

In a guest editorial (“Taxes on domestic oil won’t help energy woes”, Missoulian, August 31, 2007), Montana Public Service Commissioner Doug Mood makes numerous assertions about our co-dependent relationship with the oil industry. Mood correctly observes (as have countless public officials before him) that our nation is dangerously dependent on foreign oil. His error lies not in the diagnosis, but in the remedy he appears to offer: 1) a heavy emphasis on supply-side solutions—i.e. drilling our way out of the problem, and 2) a belief in trickle down oil economics—i.e. what’s good for Exxon is good for consumers.

In reality, the biggest problem is this nation’s over-dependence on oil from any source, due to the needless waste of our precious natural and financial resources, through inefficient technology.

Rather than protecting tax breaks for large energy corporations, we should emphasize sensible and reliable solutions. First, we must eliminate wasted energy by improving energy-efficiency. Second, we need to increase the use of Montana-based renewable fuels that support local communities, farms and ranches, without polluting our air and water.

“...The five-person commission, which regulates electric, natural gas and telephone utilities, also affects one of the topics foremost in voters’ minds: energy costs.

“Whether (voters) understand what the PSC does, they’re talking about energy,” said Gail Gutsche, [incumbent Doug] Mood’s Democratic opponent. “People are concerned about their utility bills and energy bills, and how they’re going to make ends meet.”

Gutsche, a former state legislator from Missoula, is expected to mount a stiff challenge to Mood in PSC District 4, which covers seven Western Montana counties. The district includes Missoula, Hamilton, Deer Lodge, Thompson Falls and Libby…

While PSC candidates are partisan, running as Democrat or Republican, the commission decides on rate cases in a nonpartisan fashion, ruling on testimony and facts submitted as evidence by the regulated utilities, consumer lawyers and other parties.

Still, voters can see a distinct philosophical difference between the candidates, based on party.

Democrats often talk first about using the PSC to promote energy conservation and efficiency, as well as more “renewable” or alternative energy, such as wind and solar power.

Gutsche said… that voters should look at the candidate’s philosophies on energy.”

“Mood believes we can dig and drill our way out of the energy crisis. I believe that energy efficiency and investing in renewables is where the future lies,” she said.

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The PSC regulates monopolies allowed by the legislature, most notably those involved in the distribution of electricity and natural gas. It is comprised of five commissioners who are elected from five regions across Montana.

My opponent, Doug Mood (R-Seeley Lake), who currently sits on the PSC, was an ardent supporter of electric deregulation. He voted for deregulation during the 1997 legislative session and defended it in subsequent sessions. 

Deregulation has been a disaster and all Montanans are living with the consequences of this hastily made, little-debated legislation. Deregulation was pushed through by high-paid corporate lobbyists, even as consumer and conservation advocacy groups voiced strong opposition.

As a result of deregulation, Montana lost its enviable position as a state with some of the lowest energy costs in the country and Montana consumers are now paying the price. 

The PSC has a critical role in defining the future of energy development and it is quietly making decisions on a day-to-day basis which will shape the future.

I have lived in Missoula for the past 16 years, where I am a homeowner and actively involved on the boards of several non-profit organizations. I reside on Missoula’s near Westside, along my cats Frankie and Ella.

As a small business owner for 12 years, I learned the value of hard work, the necessity of a business plan, how to live within a budget. I was blessed with great community support.

I served four terms in the Montana House of Representatives (1999-2005) and was elected Whip in my final term. I sat on the Judiciary, Fish Wildlife and Parks and Natural Resources Committees. As the vice chair of the Natural Resources Committee, I was instrumental in passing legislation to protect our clean air and water, and preserve wildlife habitat.

I am seeking this seat on the Public Service Commission because I believe the citizens of Montana need an advocate to help steer us in a new direction that will recover our low cost energy options and provide energy stability. I am honored to have the endorsement of current Democratic PSC Commissioners Bob Raney and Ken Toole.

... District 4, Western Montana: Commissioner Doug Mood, R-Seeley Lake, faces an aggressive challenge from Democrat Gail Gutsche of Missoula, a writer/consultant and former state legislator.

Gutsche, 54, says the PSC should play a greater role in guiding Montana away from dependence on fossil fuels for power, by pushing utilities and the Legislature to encourage renewable energy and conservation.

“Energy efficiency is our first and best resource, and we’re not paying anywhere near enough attention to that,” she said.

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The unofficial primary results, as reported by the Secretary of State’s office, showed that Gail Gutsche out-polled republican incumbent Doug Mood 27730 to 14062 in PSC District 4 primary.

“Montana’s primary election delivered a mixed bag of results and more than a few surprises this week…

One positive result on the energy front for progressives is the strong showing from former legislator Gail Gutsche in her bid to replace Republican Public Service Commissioner Doug Mood. Given the heavily skewed turnout, it’s tough to make an accurate prediction of what will happen in the general election, but Gutsche’s numbers look impressive as she racked up twice what Mood pulled, including more than 18,000 votes in Missoula County alone.”

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HELENA - Former state Rep. Gail Gutsche of Missoula, who is challenging Public Service Commissioner Doug Mood in a western Montana district, staked out a big fundraising lead in reports filed Thursday.

Gutsche, a Democrat, reported raising nearly $18,000 since entering the race this spring, compared to only $525 for Mood, the incumbent Republican.