PUC chairman appoints key regulator

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Tuesday, July 20, 1999 | 11:10 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Don Soderberg, chairman of the state Public Utilities Commission, on Monday named Richard McIntire to the $79,000-a-year job as director of regulatory operations in the agency.

McIntire succeeds Sharon Thomas, who Soderberg fired last week.

Soderberg said McIntire was "thorough, pragmatic and balanced" and will be responsible for supervising the regulatory operations staff. The PUC regulates electric, natural gas, water and other utilities.

Soderberg was elevated last week by Gov. Kenny Guinn to replace Chairwoman Judy Sheldrew, who was demoted to commissioner.

After that Soderberg fired Thomas and Commission Secretary Jeanne Reynolds, who had been with the agency for 25 years. Thomas and Reynolds were both considered allies of Sheldrew, who says she will serve out her term that ends in September 2001.