Fielder said she is best fit for Public Service Commission

By CHUCK BANDEL

Valley Press

Public Service Commission Republican candidate Jennifer Fielder, of Thompson Falls, is ready to use her two decades of experience fighting for her constituents in Western Montana.

For the past eight years she has served in the Montana State Legislature, including her current post in the state Senate. Coupled with 20 years on the American Lands council where she is the Chief Executive Officer and her time as business owner, Fielder feels she has what the PSC needs.

“We need Public Service Commissioners who will use common sense to fight for low-cost energy, safe-communities and a strong economy,” Fielder said. “Frankly, I think the other candidate will do just the opposite.”

Fighting for those goals is what Fielder said the job as a PSC commissioner boils down to.

The PSC’s primary functions include regulating large utility companies that provide essential life services such as power, water, phone and garbage disposal. And she promises an unbiased approach to these and other matters if elected in November.

“When it comes to the companies regulated by the PSC, I am independent and unbiased,” she said. “I’m all for expanding energy options, but I’m not for weaponizing the government against some industries just to favor others.”

Fielder has deep roots to Western Montana, residing in the Thompson Falls area with her husband, Paul, for the past 14 years. The couple, who have been married for 21 years, have two grown children. Her son served in the U.S. Marines before entering law enforcement, from which he is now retired. Their daughter is a school teacher.

Paul is currently running for the State Legislature as a candidate in District 13.

Fielder said her opponent for the PSC opening would bring a liberal approach to the PSC, something that is wrong for Montana.

“My opponent (Monica Tranel) wants to fast-track California style regulations that are likely to kill jobs, cause electric prices to skyrocket and over-regulate power generation to the point we will face rolling brownouts much like those plaguing California,” Field said. “I feel my values, real world experience and genuine connection to the people of Western Montana will help me serve our state much better than the other candidate will.”

The holder of two associate degrees and a Bachelor of Science degree, Fielder points with pride to her years of experience dealing with many of the issues a PSC Commissioner faces.

“My eight years as a lawmaker compliments two decades of professional planning, design and project management experience with the types of industries regulated by the PSC,” she said. “Including railways, pipelines, electric generation, telecommunications, water works, solid waste disposal and federal energy regulatory proceedings.”

Fielder said the wealth of experience also includes managing legal and multi-million dollar portfolios. That experience is right in line with what a commissioner will face, she added.

Fielder said she will not be beholding to special interests if elected.

“I have not accepted campaign contributions from any industry PAC, nor am I involved with any special interest groups lobbying for the PSC,” she said.

Such is not the case with her opponent, she added.

“My opponent, in contrast, is a career insider who made top dollar working for, working against and/or suing the PSC and companies it regulates,” Fielder said. “She is heavily entangled with special interest groups that lobby the PSC and heavily biased in favor of some companies against others.”