Arkansas Blog

Dear Max,
I know that you really do not reflect the surprise & chagrin that your lead-in statement reflects, methinks disappointment and helplesssness (is that a word) gnaw at your reservoir of social consciousness . Max Max Max, you are the Greek guy who walked through the streets looking for an honest man. I forget his name. But you are sorta like the Captain going down with the ship, honorable to the end and expecting those around you to act accordingly. But when snakes about...

No surprise that Schueck has conflicts re the SWEPCO coal-fired power plant.

Early last year Schueck also had a conflict of interest when Central Arkansas Water went before the Arkansas Pollution Control & Ecology Commission (aka Pollution Permission Commission) seeking changes to Regulation 6 that would have banned the direct discharge of sewage into Lake Maumelle, the primary drinking water supply for roughly 400,000 central Arkansans. Should be a no brainer, right (no sewage in your drinking water)? Well, it seems Schueck had an investment interest in property in the western part of the Lake Maumelle watershed that disreputable developer Jay Dehaven wanted to build houses on, even though most of the 800+ acres is in the floodway/floodplain. Schueck should have left the room before the PC&E Commission even took this matter up, but he not only remained he actually led the discussion. The result? One year later the PC&E Commission has still not taken up CAW's request on the sewage ban. Do you drink the water?

Governor Beebe should request Schueck's immediate resignation from the PC&E Commission and replace him with a person of unquestioned integrity.

Isn't there a new coal burning plant under construction near Osceola? Or did I hear wrong. If so, how's it doing? Know anything about it, Louie? Sure never hear anything about around these parts. You know, over in eastern Arkansas.

I mentioned this possibility about 6 months ago, way back in June.

Sad, but not surprising. I just wish Schueck could have been preempted before he exercised any of his power.

----------------
REPOST

Thomas Schueck, chairman

He owns Lexicon Inc (http://www.lexicon-inc.com/), a company that has the "unique capability of fabrication, erection, and mechanical installation services." Lexicon Inc has several subsidiaries, including:

Schueck Steel
http://www.schueck.com/
501-490-4200

L-Con Constructors
http://www.l-con.com/
281-484-5266

Prospect Steel
http://www.prospectsteel.com/
501-490-2300

L-Con Engineers and Constructors
http://www.l-coneandc.com/
281-484-5266

Custom Metals
http://www.custom-metals.com/
501-490-4400

Heritage Links
http://www.heritage-links.com/
281-866-0909

I hardly see what qualifies him to be on the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission.

Is it possible he will financially benefit from the construction of the coal plants w/ all his contracting services?

Outrageous!

Does Gov. Beebe appoint the members of this commission? This is beyond the pale.

From the PC&E Commission web site:

Commission History

The Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission was first established in 1949 as part of the Arkansas Water Pollution Control Act (Act 472 of 1949).

Since that time, it has undergone significant changes -- including a reorganization in 1991.

The Commission is the environmental policy-making body for Arkansas. With guidance from the Governor, the Legislature, the EPA and others, the Commission determines the environmental policy for the state and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality implements those policies.

Though the Commission and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality work closely, each is distinctly different.

The Commission is comprised of 13 members, six representing state agencies and seven appointed by the Governor. The six agency representatives are directors -- or their designee -- of the:

* Arkansas Department of Health
* Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
* Arkansas Forestry Commission
* Arkansas Natural Resources Commission
* Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission
* Arkansas Geology Commission

The seven other members of the Commission represent each of the four congressional districts in the state. Each district must have at least one representative on the Commission, but no more than two representatives.

The Commission employs two people:

* Michael O'Malley -- Administrative Hearing Officer
* Patricia Goff -- Commission Secretary

By law, the Commission must meet four times each year. In practicality, they meet once a month with the exception of November and December.

""

State agency heads serve at the pleasure of the governor and make up 6 of the 13 commissioners, meaning he can replace them at his discretion. Before the commission makeup was changed in 1991, state agency heads used to constitute a majority on the commission (6 of 11) and citizen commissioners were appointed specifically to represent special interests- mining, manufacturing, etc. So the commission makeup used to be even worse.

I don't know if any past governor has asked a PC&E commissioner to resign before his/her term ends, but I suspect that commissioner would be obliged to resign after such a request.

Schueck was appointed several years ago, and re-appointed at least twice by Governor Huckabee. His current term lapses in March this year. It'll be interesting to see if he's reappointed by the new, Democratic administration.

http://governor.arkansas.gov/contact/index.php

Frankly, the corporate interests are not as well served by Scheuck as they could be because he is so ham-handed in granting their wishes that he doesn't provide a reasonable cover in the record for the actions of the Commission, leaving them open to legal challenge. Plus, it appears that Randy Young really runs the show--Scheuck openly looks to him in Committee for approval. So, yes, it will be interesting to see if Beebe will install a competent chair.

I have never trusted Guido with someone else's dollar.