Kayla Hahn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kayla Hahn is an American government official currently serving as chair of the Missouri Public Service Commission. She was appointed to the commission by governor Mike Parson.
Hahn holds a BS in political science from Missouri State University and a MA and PhD in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia.[1]
Career
Hahn worked in the Missouri Senate Division of Research with roles assistant director and research analyst from 2013 until 2018. She joined Governor Parson's senior staff in 2018, leading the state COVID-19 response and serving on the Southern States Energy Board and the Midwestern Higher Education Commission.[1] As policy advisor to Parson and Andrew Bailey, Hahn drafted options for limiting access to public records.[2]
Missouri Public Service Commission
Parson appointed Hahn to the Missouri Public Service Commission on June 1, 2023,[3] and she was named chair on February 6, 2024.[1] In 2023, Hahn worked with her former colleagues in the governor's office to eliminate a proposed rule to report disconnections by ZIP code, a move that had been supported by consumer advocates and commission members for data analysis. Advocates involved in the process said that the governor's involvement in the decision was highly unusual for the commission. The Office of Public Counsel said that any costs associated with collecting zip code data would involve return on investment, including qualification for federal funds to assist customers against shut offs.[4]
In early 2025, Hahn was criticized by consumer and environmental advocates for supporting legislation to allow Evergy and Ameren to charge residents for the costs of new plants before they are built.[5] Tony Messenger described PSC chairman support for utilities charging "construction work in progress" fees to consumers as a "cruel joke."[6] Hahn announced that the commission would open investigations into Liberty Utilities following complaints from Missouri residents during hearings on Liberty's requested rate increases.[7]
In August 2025, the commission approved Evergy's request to build three new natural-gas processing plants and two solar power plants in Missouri, with costs exceeding $2.75 billion. Hahn expressed concerns over solar power as a variable renewable energy.[8]
Personal life
Hahn and her family live in Jefferson City, Missouri.[1] Her husband, Jay Hahn, is a lobbyist for Worldwide Environmental Products.[9]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Kayla Hahn, Missouri Public Service Commission". psc.mo.gov. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ↑ Hancock, Jason (2023-07-05). "Memo shows Missouri AG helped craft governor's plan to weaken open records laws • Missouri Independent". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ↑ "Governor Parson Appoints Kayla Hahn to Missouri Public Service Commission". Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson. June 1, 2023. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ↑ Wallington, Natalie (January 29, 2025). "Missouri almost got crucial info on utility shutoffs. Then a regulator secretly halted it". Kansas City Star.
- ↑ Kite, Allison (2025-01-29). "Missouri utilities push legislation to charge customers upfront costs to build gas plants • Missouri Independent". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ↑ Messenger, Tony (2025-02-10). "Messenger: Missouri regulator cheers for utilities she's meant to monitor. Wait, what?". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ↑ Schleis, Jana Rose (2025-02-27). "Missouri regulators open investigation into Liberty Utilities". KBIA. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ↑ Chilson, Morgan (2025-08-02). "Evergy wins state approval to build natural gas plants and solar farms in Missouri and Kansas". KCUR. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ↑ Kite, Allison (2021-08-03). "Just before Parson vetoed emissions bill, staffer's spouse hired by testing company". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2025-01-31.