By Tony McVeigh
Frankfort, KY – The Kentucky Public Service Commission has now been in existence for 75-years. Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh dropped by the agency's anniversary celebration in Frankfort Wednesday.
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The year was 1934. Democrat Ruby Laffoon was governor and the Public Service Commission was created by the Kentucky General Assembly. Its mission? To oversee and regulate public utilities and make sure Kentuckians receive safe and reliable utility service at fair, just and reasonable rates. Has it done that? Absolutely, says former Commissioner Martin Heulsmann. "Probably, we've still got the lowest rates in the United State from a electric standpoint. And it's because of that camaraderie and working together. We get a lot of things done."
Heulsmann and 12 other former and current commissioners gathered at PSC headquarters Wednesday for the 75th anniversary celebration. Many have agreed to participate in an oral history of the independent agency, whose members are appointed by the governor.