California Energy Commission (CEC) Chairman William Keese said last week he was leaving the power plant siting and energy planning commission as of March 4. Keese, an attorney, made the announcement as part of the commission’s regular business meeting last Wednesday in Sacramento. Originally appointed to the commission in 1997 by then Gov. Pete Wilson, Keese was re-appointed by Gov. Gray Davis in the midst of the 2000-2001 western energy crisis. He alluded to that in making his announcement, indicating he never planned to stay on the CEC as long as he has. His fellow commissioners expressed surprise at Keese’s decision, and lauded his leadership in recent years. Keese’s current term was set to run until the end of this year. At Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s request, Keese will continue to be California’s designee and co-chair of the Western Governors’ Association advisory committee on “clean and diversified” energy. Schwarzenegger will have 30 days after Keese leaves to name a replacement to fill out his term.

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