Baker Confirmed to PUC

The Senate confirmed Gov. Bill Ritter's nomination of Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Thursday, overcoming virtually unanimous GOP opposition to the Environment Colorado executive director.

The vote was 21-13, with Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, joining the Democrats in voting "yes" on the nomination.

Under Baker's leadership Environment Colorado prepared and issued a report on ways in which Colorado could combat global climate change. The report urged the state to refrain from licensing new coal-fired power plants.

Baker PUC Nomination Hits Senate Floor Tomorrow

Environmentalist Matt Baker's nomination to serve as a member of the Public Utilities Commission will be considered by the Senate Thursday.

Baker's nomination was endorsed by a Senate committee earlier in the week, despite Republican charges that he is opposed to the use of coal to meet the state's electricity needs.

Republican Senate leader Andy McElhany of Colorado Springs has also charged that Baker lacks the technical expertise to be an effective member of the PUC. Baker has a history degree.

Given the margin of the Democratic majority in the Senate, and a vote for Baker in committee by Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, it is likely that Baker will be confirmed.

Taylor Grills Baker, But Ritter PUC Pick Approved by Committee

Environment Colorado executive director Matt Baker, nominated by Gov. Bill Ritter for a seat on the Public Utilities Commission, faced skeptical questioning from Republicans on the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee Monday.

Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, accused Baker of being "anti-coal."

Environment Colorado has urged the state to halt the construction of new coal-fired power plants and to shut down oldest such facilities in Colorado.

Baker said he is pragmatic about coal and does not think it is practical to expect that state authorities could force the closure of the Hayden and Craig coal-fired plants in the "foreseeable future."

Taylor and Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, were the only opponents of Baker's confirmation on the seven-member committee. Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, voted with the Democrats to recommend approval of the nomination by the full Senate.

Baker was director of the campaign in support of Amendment 37, which imposed renewable energy standards on the state's public utilities and rural electric cooperatives that did not obtain a membership vote exempting them.