Gov. Rendell this week announced the nomination of John Hanger to be Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and the appointment of James Cawley to be Chairman of the Public Utility Commission.

Online Video: Rendell Nominates John Hanger

The Governor also announced that Cawley will ask his fellow PUC commissioners to support Tyrone Christy as vice-chairman of the commission.

Hanger has served as the president and chief executive officer of Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, or PennFuture, for the past 10 years.

Cawley has served as a member of the PUC from 1979 to 1985 and from 2005 until the present. He was made vice-chairman in 2005.

"John Hanger has been at the forefront of nearly all environmental policy discussions in Pennsylvania for the past two decades," said Gov. Rendell. "He has been working to keep our energy costs down and increase our access to clean, renewable, fuels for our cars and energy for our homes in one way or another since 1988.

"While John has been an ardent champion for the environment, he's also been a pragmatist who recognizes the economic opportunities we can gain while protecting our natural resources. He understands that businesses looking to grow and create jobs in Pennsylvania need DEP to be responsive and reasonable in conducting their regulatory duties. As secretary, he will build upon our efforts to ensure businesses can operate in the commonwealth without unnecessary regulations, but can do so while complying with the state's environmental laws."

Hanger was an instrumental figure who helped to shape many of the state's prominent policy discussions while leading PennFuture, including the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Act of 2004, the Governor's Growing Greener II initiative in 2005, Pennsylvania's clean vehicles program and the recently signed legislation creating alternative energy and alternative fuels investment funds.

"We've made tremendous progress over the past six years to improve our environment, encourage economic development, and build a new energy economy, but we still have challenges before us," said the Governor, who cited the need to protect electricity consumers against at least $4 billion in higher bills address the state's aging and deteriorating water and wastewater systems balance the economic opportunities of natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale against the environmental threats, and develop an effective climate change strategy as the commonwealth's most pressing issues.

"John has, in some way, been involved with each of our accomplishments and he understands the challenges we're facing," said the Governor. "His reputation as one of the state's leading environmental voices and his experience and relationships here in Harrisburg with legislators, stakeholders and the administration will prove to be a valuable asset as we work to make a better, cleaner and healthier Pennsylvania for our 12.4 million residents. I urge the Senate to act promptly and confirm his nomination."

"I want to thank the Governor for his leadership on the environment and energy issues," said Hanger. "I look forward to working with the dedicated and talented staff at DEP to serve the people of Pennsylvania."

Prior to his time with PennFuture, Hanger was a member of the Public Utility Commission from 1993 until 1998. As a commissioner, he served on the electricity and consumer affairs committees, and advocated for competition among the electric, gas and telephone companies, for policies that help low-income families, as well as practices that benefit the environment, such as net metering, energy conservation and renewable energy development.

Before becoming commissioner, Hanger served as legal counsel to PUC Commissioner Joseph Rhodes from 1988 to 1993. Prior to that, he worked at Community Legal Services Inc. of Philadelphia, serving as public advocate and representing 500,000 municipal customers of the City of Philadelphia's municipal gas, water and sewer utilities.

He is a 1979 graduate of Duke University and a 1984 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Hanger resides in Dauphin County.

James Cawley

Gov. Rendell also praised the skills, experience and vision of Jim Cawley as he commented on his appointment as PUC chairman.

"Jim is an expert in utility regulation and utility law and he shares my commitment to promoting and expanding our use of alternative energy and conservation measures to reduce demand," said the Governor. "It may be the most challenging time in our recent history to chair the PUC, but I am convinced that, with his experience, Jim is capable of stepping forward and leading the Commission."

At the press conference, Gov. Rendell said he asked Cawley to list his priorities as PUC chair. They were: make Pennsylvania a top-five alternative energy state, make Pennsylvania a top-five state for conservation, mitigate the utility rate increase, expand low income energy assistance programs and reinvigorate the PUC and its staff

Cawley is a 1967 graduate of St. Bonaventure University and a 1970 graduate of Notre Dame Law School. He began his legal career as one of the seven original law clerks serving the Commonwealth Court judges.

He went on to serve as majority counsel to the state Senate Consumer Affairs Committee, where he drafted several major amendments to Pennsylvania's public utility laws. In 1977, he was appointed chief counsel to the Senate majority floor leader.

Cawley has twice been nominated and confirmed as a member of the PUC, serving from 1979 until 1985. On April 25, 2005, Gov. Rendell nominated him to return to the commission—a position to which he was confirmed on June 9, 2005. He resides in Cumberland County.

"I am honored to have the Governor's confidence in my ability to serve in this position, especially at a time when energy prices are rising and people need to know what can be done to manage higher utility bills," said Cawley. "I look forward to working with the administration to protect consumers, especially through expanded energy conservation and efficiency programs and programs that aid low-income families."

The Governor said Cawley intends to ask the commission to support Commissioner Tyrone J. Christy as vice-chair of the PUC. Gov. Rendell nominated Christy in June 2007 and he won confirmation from the Senate later that month.

Gov. Rendell said Hanger's experience and commitment to environmental issues and Cawley's leadership at the PUC will better position Pennsylvania to emerge as a leader in renewable energy development and energy conservation.

"John has known Jim for a long time and I expect that their relationship will help us find a way to help consumers reduce their electricity demand and save money, while also expanding the amount of alternative energy generated and purchased in this state," said Gov. Rendell. "I continue to believe that Pennsylvania can, and must, be the national leader when it comes to energy. Whether it's research, generation or making the components that make alternative energy and fuels or conservation possible, we must lead the pack.

"The sticker shock that we feel from high gas and utility prices today will be nothing compared to what will occur over the next decade if our nation doesn't develop and take advantage of more alternative and renewable options," the Governor said.

With the Senate this week cutting two days from its voting schedule in the fall—now only nine-- and no lame duck session scheduled for after the November election, the timing of Senate action on the Hanger nomination is uncertain at this time.

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8/22/2008