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December 28, 2012

Bob Anthony sets state record for time in office

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony took the oath of office for his fifth consecutive six-year term Thursday afternoon. Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Taylor officiated.

Anthony has been a statewide elected official longer than any other current Oklahoma office holder. He has also served longer than any other current utility commissioner in the U.S.  

“The bottom line is that we serve the public,” Anthony said. “The duties that comprise that service must always be done with our guiding principles in mind.”

Anthony said much has changed since he first took office.

“In 1989, some pundits said on-shore oil and natural gas production in America was all but done. Thanks to advances in unconventional oil and gas production, America could be the world’s largest oil and natural gas producer in just a few years,” Anthony said.

“When this century first started, Oklahoma had no commercial wind energy. Now we rank in the top 10, the highest-ranking state without any government mandates for alternative energy,” he said.“Utility rate cases decided by the commission have gone from totals of a few million to hundreds of millions of dollars, and we now face a huge challenge in building a utility infrastructure to meet our energy needs in the future.”

Anthony’s fifth consecutive six-year term will begin Jan. 14. His four daughters were small children when he first took the oath of office in January 1989. On Thursday, his wife, children and grandchildren joined him for the ceremony.  

The Corporation Commission’s jurisdiction includes electric, natural gas and water utilities, telephone companies, trucking, oil and natural gas production and related environmental protection, storage and dispensing of gasoline and other motor fuels, environmental remediation of areas polluted by motor fuels and other refined products, intrastate pipelines, cotton gins, rail crossings, wrecker service, taxis and limousines.

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