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.