Embattled Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr., who last week entered into a plea agreement admitting to several felonies, has formally resigned from his $90,000 a year job.

In a letter to commission chairman Pat Lyons Thursday, Block said his resignation will be effective at 3 p.m. Friday.

"It has truly been a pleasure serving the people of New Mexico on the PRC," Block wrote in his letter.

Part of Block's plea bargain is that he never seek public office again.

In an emailed statement, Lyons said, "Today, we as a Commission accepted Jerome's resignation from the PRC, and while we hope he gets the help and support he needs during this trying time, the citizens of New Mexico deserve a Commission that is 100 percent focused on the regulatory matters before it. Unfortunately, the allegations surrounding former Commissioner Block overshadowed the important work this Commission is tasked to perform. We now look forward to continuing our efforts without this unfortunate distraction."

Block has admitted to having a problem with prescription drugs. As part of his plea deal, he has agreed to enter the District Court's drug court program. If he successfully completes the program, he will avoid prison time and seek a conditional discharge of his charges.

Among the charges to which Block pleaded guilty were fraudulent use of a state-issued credit card and stealing the identity of another commission employee to make gas card purchases under that employee's name.

Gov. Susana Martinez will choose Block's replacement to serve out the rest of his term on the commission; the term expires at the end of next year.

If Martinez, a Republican, selects a Republican to replace Block, the political makeup of the commission would shift from Democrat to GOP.

Nearly 90 applicants have submitted résumés to Martinez. The Governor's Office said Thursday that there was an additional résumé that inadvertently was not released with the other 87 distributed to reporters Wednesday night. The additional applicant is Ivie Vigil, who works as administrative manager of the city of Santa Fe's Recreation Division.

Even before Block agreed to resign, five Democrats said they would run for Block's seat. They are Santa Fe County Clerk Valerie Espinoza; Santa Fe County Commissioner Virginia Vigil; Danny Maki, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján; banker Brad Gallegos; and Las Vegas, N.M., businessman Martin Suazo. More could join that race.

Block's seat includes most of Northern New Mexico, including Santa Fe.

The Public Regulation Commission regulates energy utilities, telecommunications companies and motor carriers. The agency also oversees the state Insurance Division, the State Fire Marshal's Office, the Pipeline Safety Bureau and the Corporations Bureau, which registers corporations in New Mexico.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.