As part of its ongoing efforts to bolster retail competition and strengthen consumer protection in the state’s electric and natural gas markets, the Public Utility Commission Thursday appointed H. Kirk House, Esq., of Cumberland County as the Director of its Office of Competitive Market Oversight.

In his new role, House, a 30-year veteran of the Commission, will report to the PUC’s Executive Director and the Commissioners on issues involving Pennsylvania’s retail competitive electric and gas markets, as well as relevant issues involving competitive markets in other restructured states.

In addition to House’s appointment, the Commission announced Daniel J. Mumford of Dauphin County will serve as Deputy Director.

“From the early days of electric restructuring and through the expiration of electric rate caps, the growth of our marketplace and this winter’s price spikes, Kirk and Dan have played an integral role in helping the Commission enhance retail electric competition, strengthen consumer protections, and ensure fairness and balance in the competitive markets,” said Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson. “As the state’s retail electricity and natural gas markets continue to evolve, we are pleased to have them at the helm in leading OCMO and swiftly addressing issues that impact competitive markets and consumers.”

In his most recent position, House served as lead counsel with the Commission’s Office of Special Assistants and as a member of the OCMO team.

A graduate of the Temple University School of Law, House has served with the Commission for 30 years, practicing in all areas of the Commission’s regulatory oversight, including electricity and gas. He also led several delegations to Belgrade, Serbia, to assist with that country’s emerging competitive electric market.

Mumford has spent the past 24 years with the Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Services and currently manages the Bureau’s Informal Compliance and Competition Unit.

He has been a member of OCMO since 2009, providing expertise on consumer protection-related issues. He also served as the lead technical expert in finalizing regulations that more clearly define sales and marketing practices of competitive suppliers and enhance contract disclosure and notification requirements.

Mumford received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Mansfield University, and later earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Shippensburg University.

6/9/2014