Gov. Janet Mills has nominated a utilities lawyer to serve on the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Patrick Scully, who retired two years ago as chief executive officer of the Bernstein Shur law firm, would replace R. Bruce Williamson, who was named to the commission by former Gov. Paul LePage and whose term expired in March. Scully will need to be confirmed to the six-year term by the Maine State Senate.

Scully was with Bernstein Shur for 36 years, and Mills’ office said he is “among Maine’s most knowledgeable attorneys in municipal, energy and utilities regulation” and has experience in the state’s renewable energy sector.

Scully’s “perspective and depth of experience will be a valuable asset to the Maine Public Utilities Commission,” Mills said in announcing the nomination.

Scully has a degree from Dartmouth College in biology and environmental studies and earned his law degree from the University of Maine School of Law.

Two years ago, Mills nominated Philip Bartlett to serve as chair of the three-member commission.

The PUC’s role is to regulate electric, natural gas, water and telecommunications utilities in the state.

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