Seeley Swan Pathfinder -

For Montana’s Public Service Commission, the past year has been one of harmful infighting, disruption and absenteeism among its five commissioners. The dysfunction has been damaging to us all because major PSC responsibilities were consequently neglected instead of fulfilled.

Commissioners are responsible for regulating monopoly utilities and for overseeing their new projects—in such vital areas as electric power, telecommunications, water, sewer and natural-gas pipelines. Now the Commission needs strong leadership that has been severely lacking.

Monica Tranel’s decision to run for t...