A Senate committee on Monday moved forward Art Graham's appointment as chairman of the Public Service Commission, but blistered him for having a chance meeting with representatives of a water company seeking a rate increase.
Graham encountered tough questioning at the Committee on Communications, Energy and Public Utilities over his interaction with the regional president and regulatory counsel of Aqua America Utilities.
"People are tired of seeing what's happening at the PSC," said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey. "This looks like the same game in town."
Graham, who said he met with the two Aqua officials for less than an hour while waiting in a hotel lobby for his dinner party, pledged that the encounter would have no bearing on his ultimate decision in the rate case.
"FPL asked for $1 billion, they got $40 million. Just because they're asking, doesn't mean they get it," Graham said.
Other senators expressed concern about the timing and the appearance of the Aqua meeting, with Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff calling it "deeply disturbing."
But Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, requested more time "to do an appropriate investigation so we can make an informed decision on the Senate floor."
"All of us have been the subject of rumor and innuendo," she added.
Sen. Chris Smith, D-Oakland Park, also was willing to give Graham the benefit of the doubt -- at least for the time being -- rather than "relying on a reporter's perception of what happened."
Unimpressed, Fasano cast the lone vote against moving Graham's nomination forward.
"It's not perception. The fact of the matter is, [the meeting] happened," Fasano said. Speaking to Graham, the senator declared: "You sent the wrong message to every ratepayer in the state."
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Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.
