Brown Picks Former Aide To Lead Troubled California Utilities Commission

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - California Gov. Jerry Brown has named a former aide to be the next head of the troubled state utilities commission.

Brown's office announced Tuesday that former governor's staff member Michael Picker was Brown's pick to lead the California Public Utilities Commission. The appointment requires state lawmakers' approval.

Picker formerly served Brown as an adviser on renewable energy, and was a board member for a Sacramento utility. He would succeed Michael Peevey as commission president.

Peevey is at the center of allegations of back-channel dealings between the state commission and the state's largest utility. Emails released this year by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. allege Peevey and PG&E officials routinely privately discussed regulatory matters. Peevey served 12 years on the board, and announced in October he would not seek another term.

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