PSC CHAIRMAN PLAYED KEY ROLE IN PRO-INDUSTRY BILL

During testimony before a legislative committee on April 1, Public Service Commission Chairman Jeff Davis took credit for helping utility companies draft 2005 legislation, which later became law, that critics said hurt consumers while increasing profits for the companies. The revelation, reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in an April 4 story, raised further questions about Davis’ impartiality as a member of the PSC, which regulates utility companies.

Davis had previously been accused of a conflict of interest for participating in a private meeting in the governor’s office with AmerenUE officials -- including their then-lobbyist Andy Blunt, the governor’s brother -- in 2006 while a rate increase sought by the company was pending before the PSC. In 2007, an e-mail from Aquila Inc. official became public that indicated Davis privately had assured company officials he supported a proposed merger with another company, which was subject to PSC approval.