Gov. Jennifer Granholm appoints Grand Rapids man to Public Service Commission

GRAND RAPIDS -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced the appointment Friday of a Cascade Township man to the three-member state Public Service Commission, the utility regulatory body.

Greg White, an independent, was appointed to the commission for a term expiring July 2, 2015. He replaces Steven A. Transeth, whose term has expired. White has been with the agency for 23 years, previously serving as its legislative liaison.

"The work of Public Service Commission is very important to the daily lives of the citizens and businesses of the state," said White. "I recognize the magnitude of the decisions. These are very difficult times, and it's not lost on me the need to balance the requirements of having adequate and reliable services and the costs."

The commission regulates investor-owned natural gas, electric and telecommunications utilities, rural electrical cooperatives, and interstate motor carriers. It also establishes safety standards and sets specific rates for services provided by the state's utilities.

When White was named to the liaison job in 2005, then-commission Chairman Peter Lark said: "His strong background in utility-related legislative matters equips him greatly to serve as the commission's legislative liaison."

White's resume also includes serving as the executive assistant to former commission members Robert B. Nelson and John Shea and special assistant to former Chairman John Strand.

For the past six years, White has served as chairman of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' staff subcommittee on nuclear issues and waste disposal. He earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a master's degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University.

E-mail Monica Scott: mscott@grpress.com

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