Press Release

PUC Congratulates Commissioner Powelson of Chester County, Confirmed for Five-Year Term

Published on 4/24/2009

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman James H. Cawley today congratulated Commissioner Robert F. Powelson, of Kennett Square, Chester County, upon being confirmed to a full five-year term on the PUC.

“To echo the words of Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester/Delaware) from earlier this week, Rob has been an extremely active, involved and aggressive Commissioner over the past year, particularly related to outreach to consumers, competition issues, energy conservation and alternative energy,” Chairman Cawley said.  “On behalf of our colleagues, I welcome Rob’s enthusiasm and problem-solving savvy on this Commission for the next five years.”

As announced by Gov. Edward G. Rendell, on Wednesday, April 22, the Senate unanimously confirmed Commissioner Powelson to a full five-year term.  One day earlier, on Tuesday, April 21, the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee unanimously reported Gov. Rendell’s nomination of Commissioner Powelson out of committee.

“It has been my honor to serve on the Commission this past year alongside my colleagues, Chairman Jim Cawley, Vice Chairman Ty Christy, and Commissioners Kim Pizzingrilli and Wayne Gardner,” Commissioner Powelson said in his testimony Tuesday.  “I thank each of them for their example of public service, and I also thank each of the Commission’s employees for the work they do every day as we work to meet the challenges before us.”

In Tuesday’s hearing, Commissioner Powelson thanked Gov. Rendell for his nomination; Majority Leader Pileggi and Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph B. Scarnati III  for their steadfast support; and Committee Chairman Robert M. Tomlinson and Minority Chair Lisa M. Boscola for scheduling his confirmation hearing.

“During my past nine months as a Public Utility Commissioner, it has become clear to me that the Commission stands at a crossroads in managing the regulatory landscape here in the Commonwealth,” Powelson said in his testimony Tuesday.  “From electric rate mitigation and the development of renewable resources in the energy sector to statewide broadband deployment in the telecommunications arena, we have no room for error in tackling these important issues.”

In 2008, Commissioner Robert F. Powelson was nominated for, and confirmed to finish, the remaining nine months of an expiring term on the Public Utility Commission.  On Feb. 12, 2009, Governor Edward G. Rendell re-nominated Commissioner Powelson, this time to serve a full five-year term. 

Prior to his appointment to the Public Utility Commission, Powelson served as the President & CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, a 1,600-member business organization based in Malvern.  During his tenure at the Chamber, Powelson was a driving force in promoting Chester County as one of the most thriving and fastest-growing communities in the United States.

Powelson resides in Kennett Square, with his wife Lauren and sons Ryan and Shane.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov