Longest-ever PUC commission vacancy filled (Nov. 2002).

Parsley an 'unknown quantity' on utilities

Filling a position left unoccupied for over 10 months on the three-member Public Utility Commission, Gov. Rick Perry in the wake of reelection appointed Texas Solicitor General Julie Caruthers Parsley. Parsley, who has served as solicitor general in the Texas Attorney General's Office, will fill the position vacated in January by controversial ex-Enron Corp. executive Max Yzaguirre.

Parsley, who's PUC term will expire in 2005, will in-part be responsible for making decisions about electric power deregulation -- an issue effecting consumers throughout Texas. Tim Morstad, a policy advocate at Consumers Union Southwest Regional Office, said that the appointment signals the end of the longest-ever PUC commission vacancy and the beginning of what many consumer advocacy groups say will be an important relationship during the 2003 legislative session.

"Ms. Parsley is an unknown quantity to us as far as utilities," Morstad said. "We look forward to meeting her and hearing her ideas on how to make the electric and telecommunications market work for consumers."

Parsley, whose appointment requires Texas State Senate confirmation, will also be influential in how telecommunications companies may deal with telephone solicitation, price increases and overall service changes.

Parsley, who was the first woman become solicitor general, was of counsel for the Dallas law firm of Thompson & Knight and was an adjunct University of Texas Law School professor.