Gov. Parris N. Glendening is expected to appoint former Maryland Sen. Catherine I. Riley to a seat on the Public Service Commission today, according to sources familiar with the governor's plans.

Riley will replace Gerald L. Thorpe, whose term expires June 30 and who is not being reappointed by Glendening.

The five-member commission regulates public service companies in the state, and will be charged in coming years with setting the rules for deregulating the state's electric utility market.

Commission members are paid $87,540.

From 1987 to 1990, Riley chaired the Senate Finance Committee, a panel that handles many issues relating to utilities. Overall, she served 16 years in the General Assembly, eight in the House of Delegates and eight in the Senate, representing part of Harford County.

In recent years, Riley, 52, has worked as a liaison for Glendening to the General Assembly and has taught classes at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Pub Date: 5/21/99