I'm here at the Capital Plaza, where a bunch of manufacturers, legislators, lobbyists and others are talking about Vermont's energy future at the annual meeting of Associated Industries of Vermont.

As he started to speak at a panel discussion, Public Service Commissioner David O'Brien offered insight into his outlook for his own future, now that his boss, Gov. Jim Douglas, isn't running for re-election.

O'Brien said that if Vermont is going to consolidate its electric utilities as he hopes it will likely have to be on someone else's watch. It seems that O'Brien doesn't think he will heading the Public Service Department no matter who wins the governor's seat in 2010.

It might be a fair conclusion. O'Brien has had a thorny relationship with Democrats in the Legislature. If Republican Brian Dubie were to prevail, wind energy is one area where he has most obviously differed with Douglas.

- Terri Hallenbeck

Labels: David O'Brien, energy, vermont politics