--Nickolai's experience and fairness make him an ideal choice, Governor says --

Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today selected Judge Kenneth Nickolai to serve on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Nickolai currently serves as head of the Office of Administrative Hearings, where he was appointed in 1997 by Governor Arne Carlson.

"Ken Nickolai is a person of unquestioned integrity whose experience, fairness and intelligence will make him a stellar PUC Commissioner," said Governor Pawlenty. "The state is facing significant energy and telecommunication issues. The best interests of Minnesotans will undoubtedly guide Ken's decisions."

The PUC is comprised of five commissioners and regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy: electricity, natural gas, and telephone. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that vendors of these services provide safe, adequate, and reliable service at fair, reasonable rates.

"As Chief Administrative Law Judge for the last six years, I've worked hard to ensure that everyone appearing before the court received a fair, impartial decision based on the law," Nickolai said. "I will apply this commitment to the challenging issues facing the PUC and am grateful to Governor Pawlenty for this opportunity."

Nickolai served as deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in 1996-97 and as director of policy and legal affairs for the department in 1995-96. He worked as staff attorney for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy from 1993-95 and provided consultant work for the Governor's Commission on Reform and Efficiency in

1992-93. Nickolai also served as Assistant Regional Counsel to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1991.

Nickolai earned a Master of Public Administration at the Kennedy School of Government, a Juris Doctorate from Duke University School of Law and a Bachelor's Degree from Carthage College.

Assistant Chief Administrative Law Judge, Bruce Johnson, will serve as Acting Chief Administrative Law Judge until a replacement is found.