Gov. Susana Martinez on Monday appointed Santa Fe energy consultant Doug Howe, a political independent, to fill out the term of Jerome Block Jr., who resigned last month from the Public Regulation Commission.

Howe, who has owned a home in Santa Fe since 1999 and lived here full-time since 2006, said in an interview Monday that he has 30 years of experience in the energy industry with a focus on utilities. Regulating utilities is a major part of the commission's duties.

Howe has worked as vice president for regulatory policy at General Public Utilities Service Corp., a multinational utility company, and as a consultant to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

"For the last 10 years, I've worked as a consultant for regulatory bodies, helping them set up and create policy," Howe said in an interview. "I think I can hit the ground running."

Howe said he didn't know when he'll be formally sworn in as a commissioner. Martinez said the appointment was effective immediately.

He currently works as a consultant to Cambridge Energy Research Associates, which, according to his résumé, is one of the world's leading research firms in the energy sector.

Martinez, in her announcement of Howe's appointment, said, "Northern and Central New Mexicans deserve a commissioner who is competent, trustworthy, and focused on the numerous issues in front of the PRC. As an accomplished professional who is well-versed in energy, environmental and regulatory issues, Dr. Howe has demonstrated the knowledge and experience required to serve capably on behalf of the people of New Mexico."

Howe is a political independent, registered as "declined to state." He will join two Democrats — Theresa Becenti-Aguilar and Jason Marks — and two Republicans — Pat Lyons and Ben Hall — on the troubled commission, which also regulates the insurance, communications and transportation industries, and other areas.

He said he hasn't yet decided whether he'll seek election to a full term for the $90,000-a-year job next year. "That's a long way off," he said. He said he also hasn't decided whether he'd run as an independent, a Democrat or Republican.

Commission District 3, which includes Santa Fe and much of Northern New Mexico, is heavily Democratic. Five Democrats have said they will run for the seat. No Republican candidates have surfaced, but several Republicans applied for the position Howe got.

Howe was one of 88 applicants for Democrat Block's old job.

Block resigned last month after making a plea deal with the Attorney General's Office. He pleaded guilty to several felonies involving misuse of public campaign money and misusing state-issued gasoline cards.

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