Tony O’Donnell D2

TONY O’DONNELL

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Commissioner, Montana PSC, District 2 CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: www.tonyforpsc.com

Arrow-Circle-Right Briefly introduce yourself. Four years of college philosophy focused on reading and discussion of the Great Books with (largely) the same classmates developed in me a skill and aptitude for listening closely to other ideas without prejudgment and skill in formulating questions to help in my understanding (and theirs). This intellectual curiosity has been a guiding characteristic which has helped me to gain an understanding of the issues the PSC deals with and the ability to make fair and balanced decisions. In addition to thorough preparation before work sessions by reading all the pertinent information, I have learned greatly from discussions with our professional staff, other commissioners, testimony from all parties, engagement with 2 committees of the National Assn of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and membership on the Governor’s Information Sharing Advisory Council (MT-ISAC).

Arrow-Circle-Right Would you approach your role in

this position as a policy influencer, advocating as such, or as a regulator, applying and enforcing

existing law? Please explain. A very interesting question. Certainly the principal role of the PSC is to render decisions which are faithful the guidelines dictated by Federal and State law. There are, however, several issues which the law leaves up to the commissions in each state. As an example, my vote has been to help establish Commission policies which are intended to make long term contracts for alternative energy projects more fair to ratepayers. I believe that my role in forging commission precedents that have shifted a portion of rate risk from the shoulders of captive ratepayers has been very beneficial. The commission does support, oppose or sponsor legislation we feel makes the regulation process more equitable and efficient. Arrow-Circle-Right Do you favor the creation of

an advocacy staff for the PSC (independent in action, but administratively tied), or to leave that responsibility to the Montana Consumer Council? Please explain.

I am quite satisfied that the Montana Consumer Council, an agency established in the Montana Constitution, is successfully accomplishing the important job of giving proper advocacy for the people of Montana.

Arrow-Circle-Right Would you support alternative

dispute resolution practices over the traditional contested case process when such matters come before the PSC? Why or why not?

The PSC is constrained by Montana law defining proper procedures designed to insure the rights of all parties to a matter. Because this is an area where the PSC operates within our ‘quasijudicial’ role, we have little discretion to reach decisions which must be based on legally submitted testimony. I am all in favor of less formal, time consuming and expensive dispute resolution practices as long as they meet the very important standard of protecting the rights of all parties. stop