The Kansas agency that represents residential and small-business customers fired its interim consumer counsel Monday in a dustup over legislation that was introduced after the board discussed shifting its focus to fighting new federal clean air regulations.

The Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board’s decision to fire Niki Christopher leaves the agency with no attorneys, The Wichita Eagle reports.

At issue is a bill that was designed to keep the board from shifting its focus away from representing small consumers. Last month, board members discussed but later pulled back from a proposal to refocus on fighting new federal clean air regulations. The bill, introduced Friday, also would have nullified a CURB order prohibiting Christopher from discussing utility issues with legislators and reporters.

CURB Chairwoman Ellen Janoski said Christopher sent the board an email on Friday about the legislation.

“Making demands that we allow you to talk to whoever and that basically you said, ‘I told you so,’ is absolutely upsetting to me,” Janoski said during the public session of a board teleconference meeting Monday. The Eagle has filed an open records request seeking the email.

Christopher, who hadn’t sought the permanent position because she had planned to retire in August, told the newspaper she didn’t want to make any immediate comment. She didn’t immediately respond to a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

The board’s move drew an immediate and angry response from Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, one of two lawmakers who introduced the bill to limit the agency’s control over the consumer counsel.

Ward called what happened “unbelievable” and said he thinks politics are behind the Christopher firing. All four board members were appointed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, a coal-power advocate.