D.C. Councilman Jim Graham characterized Elizabeth “Betty” Noel’s presentation last week before the legislature’s Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs as “animated.” But don’t confuse that with entertaining. Her performance was, in fact, quite disturbing. It did nothing to silence critics, who have complained about her nomination by Mayor Vincent C. Gray to the Public Service Commission, which regulates electric, natural gas and telecommunications companies in the city.
I and others have asserted Noel’s nearly 30-year history with the Office of the People’s Counsel — as deputy and later as executive director — would instigate ethics issues, invite costly litigation and impede the commission’s work. OPC advocates on behalf of consumers against utilities; Noel’s name appears in the majority of cases currently before the PSC.
