State Public Service Commission Chairman Kenneth Schisler, whom the legislature attempted to fire last year, resigned Monday.
With Schisler?s resignation, Gov. Martin O?Malley now can appoint a majority of the five-member commission this year. Schisler?s five-year term would have expired in 2008, another seat on the five-member board is vacant and the term of Harold Williams, appointed by then-Gov. Parris Glendening, ends this year.
In a statement, Schisler, a former member of the House of Delegates appointed to regulate public utilities by Gov. Robert Ehrlich, said; “During my tenure at the commission, I have endeavored to implement the policies enacted by the General Assembly in a fair, impartial and effective manner. My resignation will facilitate the ability of the Public Service Commission to move forward in the important work it must accomplish. I wish my successors well.”
The O?Malley administration and lawmakers saw Schisler as anything but “fair” and “impartial.” As mayor, O?Malley had his city solicitor (now his general counsel), Ralph Tyler, file suit against the decisions made by the Public Service Commission permitting a huge 72 percent electricity rate increase by Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., saying it didn?t take consumers interest into account.
The city won the lawsuit, prompting a June special session of the General Assembly, which passed major legislation overhauling the rate setting mechanism and replacing the members of the PSC.
Ehrlich vetoed the measure and the legislature overrode his veto, but the Court of Appeals deemed commissioners? removal unconstitutional.
Now, O?Malley wanted to fire Schisler, and lawmakers were preparing legislation to remove him.
There was “no deal” made with Schisler for his resignation, O?Malley?s spokesman Rick Abbruzzese said. “We are thankful that Mr. Schisler stepped aside, allowing the Public Service Commission to move forward. Now, the work of rebuilding Maryland?s regulatory framework begins in earnest,” he said.
