Gimse: Vote to remove PUC chairwoman was to protect the ratepayers

WILLMAR -- Sen. Joe Gimse said his vote Monday to defeat the confirmation of Ellen Anderson as Gov. Mark Dayton's pick to oversee the Public Utilities Council was the right vote to take for electric ratepayers in Minnesota.

Gimse, R-Willmar, said Anderson was "not the right person" for the job because she lacked a "well-rounded" view of where and how Minnesota should obtain electricity.

Gimse said Anderson was an "activist for clean energy" and he was concerned her views on restricting nuclear energy and electricity generated from fossil fuels wouldn't provide the "strong base load capacity for electricity" to keep utility rates competitive for consumers and create jobs.

Anderson had served as chairwoman of the PUC since March but her confirmation was just held Monday.

Gimse said he decided months ago not to support Anderson's appointment, in part because of her actions and opinions when she was in the Senate.

"I served with Sen. Anderson," Gimse said. "I saw her work."

Gimse said the PUC commissioner guides the flow of discussions for the whole committee and he was concerned Anderson wouldn't entertain ideas, like lifting the moratorium on nuclear energy "because of her bent" on renewable energy.

"I found that extremely troubling," said Gimse, who voted with fellow Republicans in the straight party line vote to fire Anderson from the post.

Democrats, including Dayton, cried foul, saying the vote was in retaliation for past votes DFL'ers took against former Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Gimse said retaliation was not a motivator in the vote.

"It's not a payback. I resent that implication," Gimse said. "It's purely about rate payers in Minnesota and job creation. It had nothing to do with Ellen Anderson personally."

Gimse said he hopes the next candidate Dayton puts forward for the job has a "broader vision" for the state.

Gimse said he doesn't doubt some Democrats will hold a grudge because of the vote. He said when Republicans were in the minority "things happened to us all the time" but he's never sensed a grudge from his party.

Sen. Gary Kubly, DFL-Granite Falls, could not be reached for comment Monday.