PSC Member Considers Resigning

A member of the Public Service Commission is considering whether to resign after allegations surfaced that he has voted on utility cases in which he has a conflict of interest. The allegation accuses PSC Commissioner Lin Appling of voting on cases involving CenturyTel, even though he has a personal relationship with the telephone company’s lobbyist, Becky Powell. Appling cast the only negative vote in a complaint filed by FullTel, a competitor of Century Tel. In a second case, Appling voted with other commissioners in an unanimous vote in favor of CenturyTel. Appling, a Democrat, served as deputy chief of staff to the late Governor Mel Carnahan. Governor Bob Holden appointed Appling to the PSC in 2004.