AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci tapped a top aide Thursday to fill a vacancy of Maine’s three-member Public Utilities Commission.

Kurt Adams, the nominee, has been the governor’s chief legal counsel.

If confirmed by the Maine Senate, Adams would replace Thomas Welch, who wrapped up a second term as chairman of the regulatory panel on April 1.

“I am extremely pleased that Kurt Adams has agreed to serve as a member of the PUC,” Baldacci said in a statement. “He brings to the position extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of energy, utility and telecommunications policy and a strong record of negotiating agreements for the benefit of the public good. I am confident of Kurt’s ability to contribute to this vital commission.”

In the Baldacci administration, Adams has had broad range. The governor credited him specifically Thursday for his participation in negotiations to preserve paper mills in the state.

Adams has been Baldacci’s representative on the New England State Committee on Energy and, according to Baldacci’s statement, developed the governor’s Connect Maine telecommunications strategy.

“Kurt will be a strong advocate for consumers,” Baldacci said. “The telecommunications industry is undergoing rapid change and oil and electricity prices are projected for record highs. Maine’s economic recovery cannot afford major increases in energy prices. Maine needs a strong advocate at the PUC to fight for Maine’s interests in regional [ISO-NE] and national [FERC] bodies.”

Before going to work for Baldacci, Adams was a partner in the Portland firm of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, where one area of his concentration was energy law.

Adams managed Tom Allen’s unsuccessful 1994 campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and worked as general counsel to the Maine Democratic Party. He lost a race for the Maine House of Representatives from Kittery in 1992.