Blunt Administration Fires Public Counsel

The Blunt Administration has fired the man who has represented consumers in utility rate cases before the Public Service Commission. Public Counsel John Coffman says he was told Monday after noon he had been dismissed, effective immediately. He says he was given no explanation for his firing. Coffman had opposed pro-utility legislation approved by the legislature this year, calling it anti-consumer and saying it would cause big increases in utility bills. Coffman says he was fired by State Economic Development Director Gregory Steinhoff. Steinhoff’s office put out a news release announcing appointment of a new Public Counsel. It did not mention Coffman’s firing. Coffman had been Public Counsel since 2002. He has worked in the office for almost 16 years.