FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 18, 2004) Kentucky Public Service Commmission (PSC) Chairman Mark David Goss on Wednesday became president of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Commissioners (SEARUC).

SEARUC includes public service commissioners from 11 states and works to represent the interests of those states before federal regulatory agencies and Congress. Goss was installed as president at the group’s annual convention, held this year in Charleston, S.C.

"I am honored to accept this new responsibility," Goss said. "SEARUC has been an important and effective advocate for its member states in key policy areas such as electric industry restructuring.

"The SEARUC president has had a prominent voice in the national discussion over utility policies," Goss said. "I welcome the opportunity to represent our region, our state and the Fletcher administration in this capacity."

SEARUC member states include Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Kentucky will host the next SEARUC convention on June 5-7, 2005, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.

"I am looking forward to welcoming my fellow commissioners to our wonderful Commonwealth next year," Goss said.

Noting that many representatives from utilities and other industries attend the SEARUC convention, Goss said hosting the event "will allow us to showcase Kentucky as a state that has found the right balance in utility regulation, creating an environment that supports strong utilities while promoting economic development and protecting consumers."

The PSC is an agency within the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The PSC has approximately 110 employees.