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Four months after two new Public Service Commissioners helped defeat a billion and a half dollars in electric bill increases, the state senate has voted down their confirmations.

Governor Charlie Crist appointed the new commissioners to the PSC late last year, after news broke of secret dealings between commissioners and utility executives. The new commissioners were able to service until the Senate voted. Governor Charlie Crist is defending his appointees.

“I was very disappointed. I think these were two very good men, men of great integrity. I think it was unfortunate that they weren’t selected to stay on. I think it was ironic as well. I chose from a panel the legislature gave me. Then, the legislature decided they weren’t qualified after they qualified them for me,” said Crist.

Denying the confirmations could be legislative payback for Crist’s veto of several Republican lead bills this session or for his anticipated departure from the US Senate Republican Primary. Supporters of the two appointees say they got voted off the PSC because they stood up to the rate hikes this winter and electric companies are a powerful lobby group in Tallahassee.