Independent states her case for Public Service Commission

My name is Elena Evans, and I’m running as an Independent for the Public Service Commission because we can’t afford increases on our utility bills. 

I’m not a Democrat. I’m not a Republican. I’m a working mother with two kids and I’m tired of politicians who refuse to stand up for Montana ratepayers.

There’s no other way to say it, our current Public Service Commission is a mess. The mission of the commission is to ensure "affordable, reliable and sustainable” utility services. 

But right now, all five elected commissioners are ignoring this responsibility and working families and small business owners are paying the price for their mistakes. 

Three years ago, a routine legislative audit revealed that Public Service Commissioners were spending tax dollars on flight upgrades and expensive computer gear. 

The audit proved that some commissioners even falsified documents so they wouldn’t get caught wasting our money. The audit was so bad that one Republican Senator called commissioners “despicable” and another suggested some commissioners should resign. 

This year, a new audit revealed even more problems, including a toxic work environment and high staff turnover. To remedy these problems, the audit suggested that commissioners needed a code of conduct to ensure good behavior. 

 So, let’s get this straight. We pay each elected commissioner $115,000 a year to regulate Northwestern and other utilities. But instead of doing their well-paid jobs, they spend our tax dollars on flight upgrades, falsify expenses and vote to increase our power bills by 28 percent.

These commissioners don’t need a code of conduct. They need to be voted out of office.

The toxic work environment means that there is high turnover in the staff who inspect rail lines. Our communities rely upon these PSC employees to ensure vital infrastructure is in place to keep our communities safe and trains making their destinations on time. PSC commissioners have been derailing PSC employees from doing their jobs. 

As a lifelong public servant, I’ve always stressed professional conduct, honesty and transparency. I’m a trained geologist, a water quality expert and the former Executive Director of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts. I know how to build a budget and stick to it. I always read the fine print. 

Earlier this spring, 158 volunteers from Stevensville to Libby helped gather and submit over 6,000 signatures to get a new Independent choice on the ballot. The desire for change on the PSC is clear.

If you’d like to join the campaign to restore the public’s voice to the Public Service Commission, please visit ElenaForMontana.com.

And if you live in PSC District 4, then I would be honored to have your vote this November.