On August 30, the Public Utility Commission welcomed Kim Barrow in her new position as Commissioner.  The Commission thanked Gov. Josh Shapiro for his nomination, along with the Pennsylvania Senate for its support of Barrow’s nomination.

As outgoing PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille highlighted when introducing Barrow for her confirmation hearing, “Kim Barrow’s dedication and commitment to the goals and mission of the Commission will benefit the Commission and the people of this Commonwealth. I have no doubt that her depth of knowledge on utility issues will prove to be beneficial in the years to come.”

Barrow’s appointment was unanimously approved today by the Pennsylvania Senate, following unanimous recommendations on August 30th by the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. Commissioner Barrow will be sworn in during a private ceremony in Harrisburg.

Barrow Elected Vice Chair of PUC

On August 31, the Public Utility Commission announced Commissioner Kim Barrow was elected Vice Chair of the Commission.  She will hold the position through 2024.  Read more here.

Commissioner Barrow Background

Barrow has been involved in the utility regulation industry for more than two decades. 

In written testimony submitted to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, Commissioner Barrow said, “The mission of the PUC is to balance the needs of consumers and utilities. Achieving that balance between the needs of consumers and utilities is difficult, but as a veteran PUC employee, as an attorney and as a mother, I am up to that challenge of balancing important competing interests. I already do that every day.”

In her testimony, Barrow cited her “dual priorities, affordability and reliability, these two priorities are what matter to ratepaying customers, and I will keep my focus on them.”

Most recently, Barrow has served as Chief of Staff for Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille since 2013.

As part of her service in the Chairman’s Office, she provided advice regarding the legal and policy implications of electric, gas, water and transportation matters pending before the Commission; evaluated the impact of state and federal legislation on ratepayers, utility operations, and Commission functions; and communicated with consumers, utility executives and government officials regarding the Commission’s role and initiatives.

From 2008 to 2013, Barrow served as Chief of Staff in the Office of Commissioner Wayne E. Gardner, where she provided legal advice regarding utility regulation, reviewed draft public utility legislation, and authored statements of policy for the Commissioner. 

Starting as a staff attorney at the Commission in 2001, she spent several years practicing administrative regulatory law.

In this role, Barrow prepared reports, final orders and statutory interpretations; drafted recommendations to the Commission consistent with statutory law and applicable precedents; and investigated appeals of Administrative Law Judge decisions to advise the Commission regarding resolution.

She served as legal counsel to the Pennsylvania Telecommunications Relay Service Board, made up of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or have speech and language disorders.

Prior to her career at the Commission, Barrow spent time working as a Law Clerk for the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board in Harrisburg.

Barrow is an alumna of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish. She received her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

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