Clayton to step down as Missouri PSC chairman

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The chairman of Missouri’s utility regulation board asked Gov. Jay Nixon on Wednesday to appoint someone new to lead the commission, saying he has completed the projects he set out to accomplish.

Public Service Commission Chairman Robert Clayton said the time seemed right for new leadership on the regulatory board, though he would like to remain a member.

“I completed my checklist of things that I wanted to accomplish. I feel that I have exhausted the ideas and reforms that I thought needed to be brought here, and I felt it was a good time to step back,” Clayton said.

Clayton said he had been considering stepping down as chairman for several months, though he believes there is still plenty of work to be done as a commission member. In his letter to Nixon, Clayton said the commission has worked to improve how it operates, communicates with the public and helps customers control their energy bills.

A spokesman for Nixon had no immediate comment Wednesday about Clayton’s request.