Gov. Neil Abercrombie Thursday declined to say whether he plans to reappoint Hawaii Public Utilities Chairwoman Hermina Morita when her term ends June 30.

Morita’s future as head of the regulatory agency was thrown into doubt recently after an Abercrombie staff member reportedly said the governor did not intend to reappoint her.

When asked about Morita’s status at a news conference Thursday, Abercrombie responded, "I intend to make sure that the appointment, whatever it is, and regardless of whatever commission or board, meets the goals and aspirations of the people of Hawaii. As for conversations in the Legislature, I’m sure the legislators here will avow that there are multiple conversations going on over multiple subjects."

Abercrombie made the comments at the end of a news conference about a new health care initiative.

Sen. Roz Baker, Senate Consumer Protection Committee chairwoman, said an Abercrombie adminstration staff member came to her office recently to inform her that the governor did not plan to reappoint Morita. The staff member did not say whom the governor was considering as a possible replacement, Baker added.

A group of 24 House and Senate lawmakers signed a letter last week asking Abercrombie to reconsider his decision on Morita.

"We respectfully request that you reconsider your action and announce your full support for Chair Morita by appointing her to a new term on the PUC and instructing your departments to assist the PUC in fulfilling its mission rather than throwing roadblocks in the way," the letter read.

Morita, a former seven-term state representative who was intrustmental in passing major energy legislation, was appointed by Abercrombie in 2011 to head the PUC.

Baker did not speculate as to why Abercrombie might choose not to reappoint Morita, but others have suggested that the governor was unhappy with several energy decisions delivered by the PUC under Morita’s leadership.

For her part, Morita said she was disappointed that she might not be reappointed.

"It’s unfortunate that the PUC is left with uncertainty at this critical time with so many important issues pending before it," Morita said in a text message. "My hope is the independence of the PUC is maintained for the public good."

The PUC twice rejected a request by Hawaii Electric Light Co. to buy biofuel for power generation from a Hawaii island company called Aina Koa Pono. The PUC said the biofuel was too costly for utility ratepayers. Abercrombie’s campaign chairman, William Kaneko, is a former lobbyist for Aina Koa Pono.