news-record.com

Energy supply and conservation issues should be on the General Assembly’s front burner, and the Joint Legislative Utility Review Committee should be leading the way.

But as the News & Record’s Mark Binker recently reported, under its current leadership, the committee has met just once in the past six years.

Given that sorry track record, it’s time either to disband the group or choose co-chairmen who aggressively pursue an agenda that fairly represents the state’s utility users while impartially hearing energy providers’ concerns.

The latter course is wisest because the panel, if properly guided, can provide the kind of oversight needed to help legislators formulate an effective state energy policy rather than meekly succumbing to inertia.

When the General Assembly reconvenes in February, the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore should choose co-chairmen who clearly see the committee’s potential.

And those serving on the 10-member committee should think twice before accepting any contributions from companies with whom they have contact.

Sen. David Hoyle and former Rep. Drew Saunders, co-chairmen for the last six years, have had strong industry connections. Saunders, in fact, left his legislative post for a job with Electricities, an agency the committee oversees. Meanwhile, Hoyle receives sizable campaign contributions from utility providers in the state.

Connections to donors, real or imagined, understandably raise questions of partiality. It’s a matter of public perception that can’t be ignored. 

The statute that created the committee three decades ago calls for it to assure regulators act in the public’s interest and encourage conservation.

Given that clear mission and growing significance of energy issues, there’s no excuse for dragging feet. The years-long slumber should come to an end.