The choice to lead regulatory agency could dash hopes for U.S. intervention in the state's crisis.
Nominee vows to boost competition.
Hebert, a former Mississippi state legislator and the sole Republican on the five-member panel, has adamantly opposed the kind of price controls sought by Gov. Gray Davis and other California officials. These are challenging times . . . There should be some commitment by . . . California to stop the financial bleeding of its utilities and to ensure that . Hebert replaces Democrat William Massey, who was elevated to the chairmanship by President Clinton last week after the abrupt resignation of James J. Hoecker, also a Clinton appointee.