News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Bob Anthony will assume chairmanship of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission with the start of the new state fiscal year on July 1 following his unanimous election Wednesday, June 23.

Commissioner Denise Bode was elected vice chair. The elections were held in accord with the agency’s regular leadership rotation process.

The Oklahoma Constitution calls for the three commissioners to elect their own chair person. Historically, those elections have occurred on a two-year cycle, although that pattern has sometimes been broken by commissioner resignations and appointments between elections. Ed Apple has chaired the commission since July 1997. Anthony previously served as chairman from August 1989 through January of 1991 and from August 1991 until January of 1993.

Accepting election, Anthony called on the agency to continue and to strengthen its commitment to serving the public interest through an open process that respects all parties.

"To accomplish these goals I renew my commitment and the agency’s commitment to meaningful and open communication both among ourselves and with the public.

"Our agency should have a relationship with regulated companies based on professionalism and a commitment to advance the public interest. As we move from an environment of regulated monopolies to one of competitive market forces, the Commission shifts from a judicial role to that of policy setter.

"Toward that end we should adopt an open collaborative process as a standard for commissioners dealing with legislative and public utility matters. To ensure that all parties have an equal opportunity to have their views fairly considered, we should also renew our agency commitment to having the strongest ethics code in state government," Anthony said.

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