A tough, often controversial former attorney general will take over as chair of Santee Cooper.

Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Charlie Condon to lead the board at a critical time for the taxpayer-owned public utility.

As an interim appointment, Condon will begin serving immediately.

The Public Utilities Review Committee approved his nomination earlier this year but the Senate Judiciary Committee took no action.

“South Carolina ratepayers simply can’t afford a leaderless Santee Cooper making a year’s worth of decisions – especially at such a critical time in the utility’s history,” the governor said.

Condon will replace Layton Lord who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general against Alan Wilson.

A Charleston attorney, Condon served 8 years as attorney general 3 years and 10 as solicitor in Charleston and Berkeley counties.

As attorney general, Con-don was tough on crime and domestic violence.

He told prosecutors to follow a no-drop policy in domestic violence cases, even if victims pressed no charges.

He successfully pushed a victims’ bill of rights, requiring that crime victims be treated with fairness, respect and dignity.

Prosecutors had to tell crime victims about changes in their cases and give them access to records after investigations were closed.