Ige appoints Tom Gorak as PUC commissioner ahead of NextEra decision
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii Gov. David Ige today appointed Tom Gorak, chief counsel for the state Public Utilities Commission, to serve as a PUCcommissionerbeginning Friday.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige today appointed Tom Gorak, chief counsel for the state Public Utilities Commission, to serve as a PUC commissioner beginning Friday.
The term of one of the three PUC commissioners, Michael Champley, expires Thursday. Champley was appointed to the commission in 2011 by former Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
The PUC commissioners are expected to announce soon whether to approve Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc.’s $4.3 billion bid to purchase Hawaiian Electric Utilities Inc., the state’s largest utility. The PUC has spent about 18 months reviewing the case.
PUC Chairman Randy Iwase said Tuesday no decision is “imminent” in the NextEra case.
Ige said last year he is opposed to the sale of HEI to NextEra.
Ige said Gorak’s appointment would be effective Friday as he has the authority to make an interim appointment. If the PUC has not made a decision on NextEra by Friday, then Gorak would be one of the three voting commissioners to make the decision, Ige said.
“(Gorak) has been closely engaged with the PUC as its chief counsel for the past three years and will be able to step in immediately to participate in discussions and decision making on all matters pending before the commission. There will be no delay in addressing the many issues that must be resolved to meet our renewable energy goals,” Ige said today.
26 responses to “Ige appoints Tom Gorak as PUC commissioner ahead of NextEra decision”
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Ige stacking the PUC to guarantee a no vote. How can someone just appointed have enough knowledge to make an informed decision?
Did you even read the article?
As chief counsel for the PUC, one would hope he has detailed knowledge of the proposed deal.
I didn’t post in response to this article. The prior article just said Ige was going to appoint a new commissioner before the vote. OK
Probably more than the actual Commissioners if he was doing his job seriously.
Yes. Totally. Champley was in favor of the merger. Champley sat in every meeting and did all the reschedule. While the new guy was in all the meeting. He is only being put in, for his vote of no.
I agree. Reporters are doing a poor job. they can’t ask the right questions.
He said, “I want someone who is more closely aligned with my personal views.” Depending on his personal views, he has been clear about why he chose—regulatory experience and a commitment to 100% clean energy.
sale is likely dead
How naive you are.
NextEra is putting in a bid for a Texas company, so they will have no Kala for HEI.
they have more than enough to buy both companies and even some twinkies on the side
again, putting the cart before the horse….
he looks mighty young……….
I can see the dollar $$$$ in his eyes, he just hit the jackpot.
I wonder how much he has to give to IGE
He looks like Robbie Alm!
This is all political BS.
If the Governor thinks the public is stupid and doesn’t see through this ploy, he is truly a one term gov. He could have extended mr. Champley so he could vote. Obviously the vote was 2 to 1 for the merger and he need to stack the votes in his favor. Awue!!
Surprise! A man is the most qualified person again!
Yes, Manda dear! Do you complain anytime a man is appointed to anything?
Nothing wrong with that – unless you own HEI stocks. Morita was a rubber stamp for HEI and she is upset that she is on the outs.
Oh no…… I smell a rat around the corner . Money talks b.s. Walks. We’re f$&k again . First rail now this.
Agree with you! I think there is going to be a deal. Ige was bluffing the whole time!
shibai…. the key work is “annecdotal”. Reporters asked the wrong questions.
He said, “I want someone who is more closely aligned with my personal views.” Depending on his personal views, he has been clear about why he chose—regulatory experience and a commitment to 100% clean energy.