Terry L. Dunn
Terry Dunn | |
---|---|
Terry Dunn | |
Associate Commissioner of the Alabama Public Service Commission | |
In office November 2010 – November 2014 | |
Preceded by | Susan Parker |
Succeeded by | Chip Beeker |
Personal details | |
Born | July 3, 1959 |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Alicia H. Dunn (m. September 3, 1982) |
Children | Andrea A. Dunn |
Religion | Christian, Baptist |
Website | Alabama government |
Terry L. Dunn (born 3 July 1959) was an Associate Commissioner on the Alabama Public Service Commission. A native of Southside, Alabama, in Etowah County, Dunn was elected in November 2010, carrying 55% of the statewide vote. In his successful bid to win Place 2 on the Alabama Public Service Commission, Dunn may have set a record for getting the most votes for the least amount of money.[1] He reportedly spent $8,000 in securing the Republican nomination in June and $9,000 to win the general election in November. Of 99 percent of state's precincts reporting, Dunn received 791,487 votes to incumbent Susan Parker's 639,792. As a member of the PSC, Dunn's duty was to serve the public interest by ensuring that financially sound electric, natural gas and telecommunications companies provide safe, reliable and quality utility services at reasonable rates for Alabamians.[2] Dunn is married to the former Alicia Horne, and they have one daughter, Andrea.
Business
Dunn is the owner of Dunn Development Corporation and Dunn Investment Group, and has held the state license in municipal utilities contracting for the past 25 years.
Activities
Among other volunteer endeavors, Dunn is co-chairman of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind board of trustees. In 2009 Governor Bob Riley appointed him to the board of trustees. Governor Robert Bentley reappointed him to a term that will end November 28, 2018. Dunn serves as vice chairman of the board and serves on its finance and operations committee as well as the facilities and property committee.[3]
Political background
He has long been active in the Republican Party, serving on both the State and Etowah County Republican Executive Committees. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2004 and 2008. Dunn was elected as an alternate delegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention.
Endorsements
- Individuals
- Karl Rove, former chief of staff and longtime advisor to President George W. Bush[4]
- Associations
- Association Alabama Alliance Against Abortion[5]
- Conservative Christians of Alabama[6]
- The American Conservative[7]
- Alabama Tea Party Express[8]
- Alabama Republicans for Liberty[9]
Initiatives
After taking office in November 2010, Dunn successfully pushed through several initiatives, including the following:
- Created an incentive rate package with Alabama Power Company to encourage job growth for small, medium and large companies. The Commissioner crafted his proposal to ensure the incentive rate would also encourage job growth by limiting the special discounts to existing businesses opening new locations.
- Restructured the PSC's Energy Division by establishing the Electricity Policy Division, with no additional hiring.
- Pushed successfully for the appointment of a second assistant attorney general to represent utility customers before the Commission.
- Created an internship program with Auburn University's College of Engineering to bring electrical engineering students to the PSC’s Electricity Policy Division.
- Approved a Purchase Power Agreement between Alabama Power Company and AbiBow U.S. Inc.. to help keep jobs at their pulp paper mill plant in Childersburg, Alabama
- Voted to approve more stringent ethics rules for commission members and employees of the PSC.
At the end of 2011, Dunn announced the successful conclusion of contract negotiations between Alabama Power Company and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company manufacturing plant in Gadsden. Under the contract, Alabama Power will provide steam to the Goodyear plant for the next five years.
Dunn also ended his second year in office by announcing that Alabama Power Company rates would remain flat in 2012 and 2013.[10]
While fighting potential rate increases caused by federal regulations, Dunn was supportive of the power company’s pilot projects in the area of renewable energy, including biofuels and wind energy. Dunn supports only those renewable projects in which the price of the electricity to be produced is the same or less than the power generated at conventional plants.[11][12] Dunn encourages industrial operations to contact Alabama Power Company about ways to reduce energy costs.[13]
In January 2013, Dunn made a motion at the monthly Alabama Public Service Commission meeting to conduct a formal review of the return on equity ranges for the state's three largest utilities. The motion died for lack of a second.[14] Although Dunn and his staff have been participating in informal, public hearings for the utilities, Dunn continues to push for a formal review.[15]
It has been 30 years for the largest utility and 29 years for the second largest since a full rate case has been done. Dunn advocates a full financial evidentiary review to determine what rates are fair to the consumers and the regulated companies.[16][17]
References
- ↑ Andy Powell (November 3, 2010). "Dunn sworn in to serve on PSC".
- ↑ The Code of Alabama 1975, Title 37
- ↑ Dana Beyerle (November 5, 2012). "Dunn reappointed to institute board" (PDF).
- ↑ "Karl Rove backs Terry Dunn for Alabama Public Service Commission". the Associated Press and Dothan Eagle. 2010-09-02.
- ↑ "Alabama Pro Life - Election Coalition Candidates November 2012".
- ↑ "Conservative Christians of Alabama".
- ↑ "American Conservative Candidate Recommendation".
- ↑ "Endorsements for November 2, 2010 Election".
- ↑ "Recommended Alabama Conservative Voter Guide".
- ↑ PHILLIP RAWLS (November 6, 2012). "PSC: Alabama Power rates to remain flat in 2013" (PDF).
- ↑ "Petition: Docket No. 31653". September 9, 2011.
- ↑ PHILLIP RAWLS (October 1, 2012). "Alabama Power among leaders in SE in wind power" (PDF).
- ↑ "Frontier Mills looks to cut power costs, Preserve jobs at Wetumpka, Ala., plant (Press Release)". EPDA NewsFlash. June 12, 2012.
- ↑ PHILLIP RAWLS (December 16, 2012). "Dunn: Utilities' rates too high" (PDF).
- ↑ Ben Raines (March 18, 2013). "PSC Commissioners Hear Complaints from Public over Mobile Gas Rates" (PDF).
- ↑ Rebecca Smith (March 21, 2013). "Return Rates for Utilities Get Harder Look" (PDF).
- ↑ Charles J. Dean (January 31, 2013). "Public Service Commissioner Terry Dunn: No treehugger but no retiring wallflower either" (PDF).
External links
- Official website
- Terry Dunn on Facebook
- Commissioner Terry Dunn page at Alabama Public Service Commission
- Political Graveyard Bio
- Twitter @TerryDunnPSC