The Pueblo Chieftain editorial: Support for Koncilja
We have been encouraged at the support that the community and now several government entities have given Frances Koncilja, a native Puebloan, a Denver lawyer and a member of the Public Utilities Commission, in her battle against Black Hills Energy.
She was successful in significantly cutting Black Hills’ rate increase request. But Black Hills hasn’t accepted the PUC’s decision to reject the company’s request for an extra $8.5 million in revenue per year.
On Nov. 30, Koncilja and former Chairman Joshua Epel and former Commissioner Glenn Vaad whittled that request down to less than $1 million – an amount Black Hills claims does not meet its costs. It asked for a rehearing without Koncilja, demanding that she recuse herself from future proceedings, alleging she is biased against the company.
Of course, she has refused to do that. Besides, it’s too late for that anyway, say lawyers for the city of Pueblo, Pueblo County, the Pueblo Board of Water Works and the Fountain Valley Authority.
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