Press Release

PUC Changes Organizational Structure, Appoints 2 Top Directors

Published on 8/11/2011

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

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today adopted revisions to its organizational structure and named two veteran PUC employees to top positions.

The Commission voted 5-0 to implement the changes, following the internal review of Commission operations to determine the best ways to use the enhanced operational flexibility given to the Commission by the General Assembly through its enactment of Act 129 of 2008.  The Act changed the structure of the Commission by eliminating the statutory requirement that the Commission maintain certain bureaus.

As a result, the PUC is incorporating strategy and planning functions within a new Executive Director position that directly oversees the day to day management of the Commission functions and staff.  The Commission also is centralizing administrative and personnel functions under the Director of Administration, and realigning bureaus with regulatory functions under the Director of Regulatory Operations who will oversee the Law Bureau, the Bureau of Audits, the Bureau of Consumer Services, Secretary’s Bureau and the new Bureau of Technical Utility Services and Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, which the Commission also created in today’s action.  A new organizational chart is available online.

At today’s Public Meeting, the Commission named Johnnie Simms as the Bureau Director for the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (BI&E).  BI&E will serve as the prosecutory bureau for purposes of representing the public interest in ratemaking and service matters before the Office of Administrative Law Judge, and enforcing compliance with the state and federal motor carrier safety and gas safety laws and regulations.  The bureau will also handle rail safety enforcement proceedings that are referred by the Bureau of TUS. Simms moves into this new position following 29 years of employment at the PUC.  He most recently served as the Director/Chief Prosecutor of the Commission’s Office of Trial Staff.

The Commission also approved the appointment of Paul Diskin to the position of Bureau Director, Bureau of Technical Utility Services (TUS).  This bureau will serve as the principal technical advisory bureau to the Commission regarding fixed and transportation utility regulatory matters. Diskin was most recently the Energy/Water Manager for the Commission’s Bureau of Fixed Utility Services.  He has 32 years of experience in the utility sector.

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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

Docket No. M-2008-2071852

Contact:

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