Sen. Ellen Anderson to head Minn. PUC

Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed state Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, to chair the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Anderson is currently the ranking minority member of the Senate Energy Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. She previously chaired the Senate Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Budget Division.

Anderson will give up a Senate seat she held for 19 years, but she described the appointment as an exciting opportunity.

"I see the Public Utilities Commission as a perfect next place for me, to take my skills that I've learned in energy and the experience I've had in energy and telecommunications and consumer issues," she said. "I'm really looking forward to delving into those and continuing to be a public servant for Minnesota."

Anderson's Senate resignation is effective March 20. A special election in District 66 is scheduled for April 12.

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