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The governor’s plan to end corruption at the Public Service Commission by appointing two new commissioners is being challenged by the state senate. A conformation hearing for the appointees was postponed today. As Whitney Ray tells us, the postponement could be retribution for Governor Charlie Crist’s veto of Senate Bill Six and shopping the idea for an independent run for US Senate.

After a year filled with secret dealings between the Public Service Commission and utility executives, Governor Charlie Crist decided to replace two of the five members.

Crist appointed a former journalist and a business owner this winter… They promptly shot down a combined billion and a half dollar rate hike for Florida Power and Light and Progress Energy.

Tuesday Republican Lawmakers postponed their confirmation hearing. State Senator Mike Fasano says the delay is punishment for keeping electric bills low.

“We are seeing outsiders, and senators, and house members going after those who stopped those rate increases,” said Fasano.

State Senator JD Alexander says the appointees simple don’t have enough experience to be ruling on rate cases.

“These are folks who are populous in background, who don’t have the financial training to really get into a rate filing case, which at time is 14,000 pages worth of testimony,” said Alexander.

But there may be more political factors at play.

The postponement comes just days after Governor Charlie Crist vetoes a top Republican legislative priory and considers bucking his party and running for US Senate as an independent.

Crist says he’s not sure if his actions are holding back the confirmations.

“I honestly don’t know, I don’t believe so, but I don’t know. It’s possible. Anything is possible,” said Crist.

Crist is still holding out hope that a conformation hearing will be rescheduled before session ends.