Written by John Russell

A nominating committee is recommending that Gov. Mitch Daniels consider three finalists, including the governor's former environmental policy director, for an open seat on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

Twelve people had applied for spots on the five-member panel, which regulates rates paid by Indiana consumers for electricity, water, natural gas, steam and sewer utilities, as well as parts of the telecommunications and cable industries.

Those recommended on Friday were:

Kari Evans Bennett, chief legal counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Daniels' former environmental policy director.

Peter Bisbecos, former director of the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services in the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

David Yount, a self-employed investment manager.

The person Daniels chooses will fill the vacancy left by David Lott Hardy, a commissioner who was fired in an ethics scandal in October.

The job pays about $104,000. The new commissioner will serve the remainder of Hardy's term, which expires in 2014.

Hardy was the commission chairman, but the replacement will not take the chairman's duties, which were given to another commissioner, Jim Atterholt.

"We tried to come up with the most qualified people for the governor to consider," said William Stephan, a vice president at Indiana University who was chairman of the nominating committee.

The governor is expected to make his appointment by the end of the year.