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Enron Mail |
Perry fills one spot on PUC Former Enron exec draws opposition By JANET ELLIOTT Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau AUSTIN -- Mario Max Yzaguirre, a former Enron executive, was appointed Wednesday by Gov. Rick Perry to the state agency that is overseeing electricity deregulation in Texas. Yzaguirre was named to replace Judy Walsh on the three-member Public Utility Commission of Texas. Yzaguirre, of South Padre Island, recently resigned as president of Enron's Mexico operations. He formerly worked as a lawyer at Houston's Vinson & Elkins. In 1989, Yzaguirre was fined $15,000 after pleading guilty to a federal charge of killing a whooping crane while hunting near the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge north of Corpus Christi. Yzaguirre, who thought he was shooting at a snow goose, also paid $6,480 in restitution to the state over the death of the endangered bird. He is the son of former University of Texas Regent Mario Yzaguirre of Brownsville. The governor's office also is working to replace Chairman Pat Wood III, who stepped down after President Bush named him to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees interstate electricity transmission. Yzaguirre will join Commissioner Brett Perlman, a former business consultant. Janee Briesemeister, a consumer advocate who monitors the PUC, said the appointment of a energy industry insider "sends the wrong signal to consumers in the state, particularly when that energy company is Enron, which has profited handsomely from the energy crisis in California." "While resignation of his position at Enron and divestiture of any energy-related stock holdings may meet the technical requirements of the law, the intent of the law is to eliminate even the perception of a conflict or impropriety," said Briesemeister, senior policy analyst for Consumers Union. "Regardless of his actions while commissioner, a perceived conflict could limit his effectiveness." The PUC is monitoring the deregulation of the Texas electric market, set to begin Jan. 1. Deregulation in California has resulted in skyrocketing energy costs and electricity shortages. The PUC also oversees the telecommunications market. Yzaguirre had been with Enron from 1995 until his recent resignation. Enron is Houston's largest company in terms of revenues, generating $100.8 billion in 2000. Enron is vying to become a player in the deregulated Texas market. It formed the New Power Co., a nationwide power and natural gas retail marketing concern catering to residential and small-business customers. The company is a joint venture of Enron, IBM and AOL Time Warner.
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