Consumer groups worried about Strickland PUCO plans

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ Lobbyists for phone companies and industries that are the largest electricity users are front-runners to serve on -- and perhaps one day chair -- the panel that polices Ohio's gas, electric and phone companies.

Upcoming appointments under new Gov. Ted Strickland have advocates for residential customers worried about the future of rates and service.

Critics had hoped that Strickland, the first Democratic governor in 16 years, would change the direction of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which some have viewed as too cozy with -- and easy on --utility giants like FirstEnergy Corp., American Electric Power and AT&T.

''He should start over from scratch,'' said Sandy Buchanan, executive director of Ohio Citizen Action, a nonprofit consumer and voter advocacy group.

Utility interests are heavily represented on a panel that nominates candidates the governor chooses from to fill the PUCO's open seat. Already the governor has signaled that he will not initially bump Alan Schriber from the commission's chairmanship.

Consumer groups say that under Schriber, the PUCO has sided too often with the utilities, especially on phone and electric cases. Schriber denies it, pointing to the stability of rates during his eight years as chairman.

Strickland, who gets four appointments to the five-member commission in his first term, says the selections ''will be a reflection of my judgment and values.''