FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 21, 2016) – Gov. Matt Bevin has appointed Michael J. Schmitt, a Paintsville attorney, to the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
“Mr. Schmitt’s vast legal experience in the energy sector, in state education as well as his work with the Kentucky League of Cities makes him eminently qualified to guide the regulatory work of the commission,” Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely said. “As chairman, he will be an integral part of shaping the future of Kentucky’s electric co-ops, water and sewer districts, intrastate rates and investor-owned electric and natural gas.”
Schmitt currently serves as a partner at Porter, Schmitt, Banks & Baldwin. His impressive legal career spans 45 years including practice in coal, oil and gas litigation for such major clients as Abarta Oil & Gas, Booth Energy Group, and EQT Resources, Inc. Additionally, Schmitt has represented a large number of local boards of education, as well as worked for the Kentucky League of Cities, the Kentucky Association of Counties and the Kentucky Department of Education.
Schmitt earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1971, where he graduated with distinction.
“I am both humbled and honored to have been selected by Gov. Bevin as a member of the Public Service Commission,” said Schmitt. “I intend to work hard in the best interests of the public and to meet the high expectations demanded of this important regulatory position.”
Schmitt was appointed to a serve the remainder of an unexpired term ending July 1, 2019. In his new capacity, Mr. Schmitt will serve as Chairman of the Kentucky PSC.
The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 85 employees.
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