DFL state Sen. Ellen Anderson is leaving the Legislature to lead the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

The move puts a legislator with a widely respected environmental and public utilities record at the helm of the commission that regulates electricity, natural gas and telephone.

"Senator Anderson's experience and expertise in the areas of energy and the environment will make her an excellent Chair of the Public Utilities Commission," Gov. Mark Dayton said in a statement announcing the appointment. "She ha

s a deep understanding of the important issues that will come before the commission."

Anderson, 51, authored Minnesota's Renewable Energy Standard law. She was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1992 and now serves as ranking minority member of the Energy Utilities and Telecommunications Committee.

"I am honored and very excited about the opportunity to serve on the Public Utilities Commission," Anderson said in a statement. "Governor Dayton and I share a commitment to ensuring strong consumer protection and developing sound energy policy to move Minnesota forward."

Anderson

Anderson's new post will pay about $88,500 a year. She was expected to submit her resignation Wednesday, effective March 20. Dayton will call a special election for her seat to be held April 12.

Anderson, an attorney from St. Paul, is married to former state Rep. Andy Dawkins.

Dawkins said he is not running for her seat, but added that he does miss the Capitol.

Staff writer Rachel E. Stassen-Berger contributed to this report.