AUGUSTA — A Maine committee has endorsed Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s nominee to the Public Utilities Commission.

The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee unanimously supported Carlie McLean’s nomination to the board on Thursday.

LePage picked McLean to fill the seat that’s being vacated by PUC Chairman Thomas Welch, who resigned before his term was supposed to end in 2017.

McLean has served as the governor’s general counsel since 2013. She joined his administration in 2011 as a senior natural resources policy adviser. Prior to that, she worked with the Portland law firm Preti Flaherty.

Commissioner Mark Vannoy is replacing Welch as chairman. The third commissioner is David Littell, who was nominated by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci.

McLean must be confirmed by the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.