Longtime Harlan attorney Mark David Goss was selected Wednesday to serve as president of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Commissioners (SEARUC).

Goss, who was appointed in February to serve as Kentucky Public Service Commission said he was honored to be chosen for the position.

"I am honored to accept this new responsibility," he said. "SEARUC has been an important and effective advocate for its member states in key policy areas such as electric industry restructuring."

SEARUC is comprised of public service commissioners from 11 states and works to represent the interests of those states before federal regulatory agencies and Congress. Goss was installed as the group's new president at its annual convention, which was held in Charleston, S.C. this year.

Goss said he welcomes the opportunity to be an advocate and be involved in national discussions of utility policies.

"The SEARUC president has had a prominent voice in the national discussion over utility policies," said Goss. "I welcome the opportunity to represent our region, our state and the Fletcher administration in this capacity."

In addition to Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia are also members of the SEARUC.

The group's next convention will be held here in Kentucky, and Goss said he is eager to welcome the other members to the state.

"I am looking forward to welcoming my fellow commissioners to our wonderful commonwealth next year," he said.

The event will be held June 5-7 2005, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.

Goss noted that in addition to the SEARUC commissioners, representatives from utilities and several other industries also attend the convention, so it will be an important opportunity to tout the state's attributes.

Hosting the event "will allow us to showcase Kentucky as a state that has found the right balance in utility regulation, creating an environment that supports strong utilities while promoting economic development and protecting consumers," he said.

The Public Service Commission is an agency within the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in the state. The PSC has approximately 110 employees.