Former Whitefish representative Skees plans run for PSC

Kalispell resident Derek Skees said last week he plans to run for the District 5 seat on the Montana Public Service Commission.

Commission Chairman Bill Gallagher, 54, who is being treated for pancreatic cancer, said he would not seek re-election.

Skees, a Republican, was elected in 2010 to represent Whitefish’s House District 4 at the state legislative session. He served one term. In 2011 he unsuccessfully ran for state auditor, losing to Democrat Monica Lindeen.

The five-member Public Service Commission regulates private investor-owned electric, gas, telephone and water utilities in the state.

Skees said energy interests are an obvious concern for Montana’s economy, and as a commissioner he would look to emulate what he sees as the more laissez-faire approach North Dakota takes.

“The burden they place on taxpayers there is minimal compared to the burden on taxpayers in Montana,” he said. “Energy is critical to the future of Montana.”