Dana Appling has been appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to head the Office of Ratepayer Advocates. She replaces Regina Birdsell, appointed by former governor Gray Davis. Reached at her present job as counsel for WebGen in Massachusetts, Appling said she couldn?t address the new position while in her current employment. Prior to her current position, Appling spent 13 years with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District as general counsel. Former colleagues gave her glowing endorsements. The Office of Ratepayer Advocates has been in disarray in recent months, partly because of a leadership void (<i>Circuit</i>, July 9, 2004). Appling must be confirmed by the state Senate.