Gov. Ehrlich hires lawyer/teacher to represent Maryland consumers

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Oct 7, 2003 by Kathleen Johnston Jarboe

Gov Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has chosen an educator and former assistant U.S. attorney to serve as the state's consumer advocate in utility matters.

Patricia Anne Smith, an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University's public safety division, will begin her appointment as People's Counsel tomorrow.

While Smith has a resume packed with more than 16 years serving in various state and federal legal posts, including the assistant U.S. attorney for Maryland, the Special Solicitor for Baltimore City and various counsel roles at the state's Department of the Environment, it was Smith's university experience during the past year that distinguished her from the field of applicants, according to an Ehrlich spokeswoman.

The educational component separated her from the masses. One of main priorities is to advocate and inform consumers, especially concerning recent events in the aftermath of Isabel. This position is essential to keep utility customers abreast of their rights, said Ehrlich spokeswoman Shareese N. DeLeaver.

The role of People's Counsel, a post that has existed in Maryland since 1924, requires a special mix of teaching and legal skill to untangle complex power, water, sewer, telephone and transportation regulations, and help consumers and lawmakers understand how the issues affect the average citizen.

As citizens and businesses recover from the tropical storm that caused billions in damage, state utility regulators have begun an inquiry into the preparations for the storm and will review what improvements could have been made. Comments by the Office of the People's Counsel will be key to ensure customers' experiences are represented in the findings.

Smith said she looks forward to participating in the investigation and to accepting the role.

I'm very proud that Governor Ehrlich has chosen me to stand up for the rights and interests of residential consumers, the 51-year-old Baltimore resident said.

Smith starts the advocacy post as many other utility changes face consumers. Customers in Pepco Holdings Inc.'s service territory will first see electricity price caps lift in 2004 as part of the next phase of deregulation. The change in prices that have been frozen since 2000, coupled with rising natural gas prices, threatens to deliver a double blow to consumers' pocketbooks. To complicate matters, Pepco could be asking state regulators to let it pass millions of dollars in extra costs on to customers if it loses a power supply contract battle with Mirant Corp. in bankruptcy court.

Smith expects to re-examine deregulation legislation that was intended to bring cheaper and more varied power choices to consumers. She said she also hopes to conduct a study on how much natural gas prices will increase and how residents can better insulate themselves from the costs.

A former co-worker said state residents will receive an advocate who was very busy and effective during her tenure in Baltimore's city solicitor's office.

She was very diligent. She had a very good rapport with the circuit court and the district court. One of the things she took upon herself was to create a better liaison between the office and the bench, said City Solicitor Thurman W. Zollicoffer Jr., adding that Smith also has a good sense of humor.

Smith's appointment was announced yesterday, although she started meeting the 17-person People's Counsel staff last Thursday.

Smith replaces Michael J. Travieso, who left the position in August at the governor's request after serving in the role for years and helping shape significant consumer protections in electricity deregulation laws.