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Caron Cooper
Caron Cooper was an independent candidate for the district 3 seat on the Montana Public Service Commission.[1] She was defeated in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Biography
Cooper was trained as a mechanical engineer, with a concentration in thermodynamics. After graduating, she began working with a company that harnessed energy from natural geysers. She then left the firm to pursue a master's degree in economics, with concentrations in Russian and East European studies. Cooper then joined a consulting firm in Washington, D.C., and worked on a variety of energy issues in the former Soviet Union. She then returned to academia, earning her Ph.D. in economics and engineering. During this time, she briefly lived in Moscow, learning Russian and pursuing her research.
In 1995, Cooper moved to Montana and served for two terms on the Livingston City Commission. She has also worked with the Red Cross and founded the Closet Community Thrift Store.[2]
Education
- B.S. in mechanical engineering, California Polytechnic Institute
- M.A. in economics with a concentration in Russian, Central European, East European, and Eurasian studies, Georgetown University
- Ph.D. in energy economics, University of California-Berkeley[2]
Elections
2016
- Main article: Montana Public Service Commission election, 2016
Cooper filed to run against incumbent Republican commissioner Roger Koopman (R) for his seat on the Montana Public Service Commission's third district. Cooper filed as an independent and competed with both Commissioner Koopman and Democratic challenger Pat Noonan in the general election.[1]
Roger Koopman defeated Pat Noonan and Caron Cooper in the Montana public service commission, District 3 election.
| Montana Public Service Commission District 3, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Roger Koopman |
49.22% | 54,981 | |
| Democratic | Pat Noonan | 37.11% | 41,458 | |
| Independent | Caron Cooper | 13.67% | 15,269 | |
| Total Votes | 111,708 | |||
| Source: Montana Secretary of State | ||||
Campaign themes
2016
Cooper's campaign website included the following positions:
| “ |
Alternative Energy In just the past five years, the electric power industry has been turned upside down by rapidly falling prices of alternative energies and the widespread acceptance of global climate change. These changes also raise serious questions about the future of fossil fuels. Montana cannot afford to isolate itself - the state's energy regulations need to be nimble and adaptable as new energy opportunities arise. Economic Development Montana’s burgeoning high-tech and light-manufacturing industries require net neutrality: equal access to high-speed internet and telecommunications services. As state and local governments make efforts to attract good-paying jobs and support existing businesses and industries, the PSC plays a key role in ensuring that well-regulated utilities are where they need to be, when they need to be. Common Sense Solutions Utility and transport companies agree to be regulated in exchange for permission to operate in Montana. Yet those regulations need not be incomprehensible to the average consumer. PSC negotiations with these companies must be transparent and based on common sense. For example, net metering, which allows customers to generate their own energy (via solar or wind) and sell it back to the utility, should be available across the state. For energy companies, this can mean customer-provided solutions during peak demand times. For consumers, it represents good old Montana independence and resilience and an ability to participate in the solution. It's just common sense. Energy Efficiency 'On my electricity bill the actual cost of the electricity was only 40 percent of my total bill. The other 60 percent was the charge to deliver the power to my home.' - Caron Cooper Consumers can also participate in lowering their bills and reducing the need for energy generation through energy-efficiency measures. High-efficiency appliances, low-energy bulbs, and efficient hot water heaters and furnaces provide a lot of bang for the buck. The magic of electricity efficiency is that reducing what is used at home saves both electricity and the significant transportation costs. Environmental Health No one can be convinced that living near high-voltage power lines is good for public health. The future desired by consumers is fewer high-voltage transmission lines, not more. This can be achieved with distributed generation, allowing power to be produced and consumed at the home. Alternative energy and conservation efforts can have a dramatic impact on Montana’s public health and environmental quality.[3][4] |
” |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Montana Secretary of State, "2016 candidate filing list: Non-Legislative," accessed March 15, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Caron Cooper for Montana Public Service Commissioner, "Caron's Story," accessed March 18, 2016
- ↑ Caron Cooper for Montana Public Service Commissioner, "List of Issues," accessed March 18, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
