On August 30, the Public Utility Commission recognized Gov. Josh Shapiro’s appointment of Commissioner Stephen M. DeFrank as the PUC’s new chairman, effective immediately. 

DeFrank replaces Commission Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, whose tenure as PUC chair and as a commissioner ended with the confirmation of incoming Commissioner Kim Barrow.  

“We are in the midst of the largest and most substantial changes in our energy landscape ever witnessed, impacting families and businesses across the Commonwealth along with the public utilities that serve our communities,” noted Chairman DeFrank. “The reliability, availability, and affordability of energy is vital for us all – as is the need to address the ongoing evolution in how we generate, distribute, use, and value power.  This is an exciting opportunity for our Commonwealth and our country, but it is also essential that we handle this important transition correctly.”

Most recently, DeFrank has served as PUC vice chairman – which is a position elected by vote of the commissioners.  A new PUC election for vice chairman will be scheduled shortly.

Pennsylvania governors nominate PUC commissioners, who must be confirmed by a majority in the state Senate, and a governor also has the authority to select the Commission’s chairman at the start of the governor’s term and where there is a vacancy for the chairmanship. 

Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank

DeFrank joined the Commission following a nomination by Gov. Tom Wolf on Sept. 20, 2022, and a Pennsylvania Senate confirmation on Oct. 19, 2022. His term expires on April 1, 2025.

Before joining the PUC, DeFrank worked as government relations professional at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, after spending 24 years of his career in Pennsylvania state government, including time with the Senate of Pennsylvania, where he served as chief of staff/executive director to Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Lehigh), Democratic chair of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

As a commissioner, DeFrank plans to initially focus on a couple of areas of utility regulation, including the delivery of safe and reliable utility service to ratepayers; the rebuilding of aging utility distribution infrastructure; and preparation for cyber threats to utility distribution systems.

Commissioner DeFrank was born and raised in Uniontown, Fayette County. He lives in Harrisburg and is married with two daughters.

Visit the Public Utility Commission website for more information on its role and responsibilities.

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Related Articles:

-- PUC’s Stephen M. DeFrank Thanks Gov. Shapiro For Appointment As New Chairman  [PaEN] 

-- Gladys Brown Dutrieuille Offers Thoughts On Her PUC Tenure; Thanks Commission Staff, Colleagues For Their Dedication And Commitment As She Departs State Service  [PaEN]

-- PUC Welcomes New Commissioner Kim Barrow, Thanks Senate For Confirmation Votes, Governor For Nomination  [PaEN]

-- PUC Elects Commissioner Kim Barrow As Vice Chair

-- PUC Safety Division Continues Investigation Into Deadly House Explosion In Plum Borough, Allegheny County  [PaEN]

-- PJM Interconnection Hears Testimony On Making Electricity Market Reforms To Address Nonperformance Of Natural Gas And Other Generators During Winter Storm Elliot; Transition To Clean Energy  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 30, 2023]

9/4/2023