EDMOND —
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has voted Commissioner Patrice Douglas to serve as commission chairwoman.
“It was a real vote of confidence that my other commissioners had, so I really appreciated it,” Douglas said.
Monday’s appointment will become official on Aug. 1 in order to give her staff preparation time for the transition, Douglas said. Additional responsibility is part of the chairman’s office. She will be the commission’s point person for the state Legislature and other government entities.
“We’re the point person for the commission, much like the mayor and the (City) Council,” said Douglas, former Edmond mayor.
The chairmanship changes routinely without a set amount of service time, Douglas continued. Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy, also of Edmond, had served as chairman for a year and a half. Murphy had accomplished her legislative initiative this last session, Douglas said.
The Corporation Commission will be embarking on a new strategic planning initiative, Douglas said, making her private-sector background experience fit well with her new role.
“As mayor I’ve done it on the private and public side,” Douglas said. “Neither one of my other commissioners had ever done that. So it was a good time to make the change. It was the start of a new fiscal year.”
Douglas will be at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Constitution Hall this Friday at 9 a.m. to join a panel discussion led by Congressman James Lankford.
Friday’s topic will be America’s Energy Future, Part I: A Review of Unnecessary and Burdensome Regulations. Douglas will cite the roadblocks of too much regulation for the oil and gas industry.
“Basically we’re going to be talking about what we believe could happen in the United States with regard to energy independence and how we’re being stymied from doing that,” said Douglas, who favors energy regulation at a state level.
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PHOTO PROVIDED Patrice Douglas of Edmond was named Monday as chairwoman of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, starting Aug. 1.
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Commission names Douglas as chairwoman
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