Press Release

PUC Selects Commissioner Sweet as Vice Chairman; Chairman Brown Thanks Commissioner Place for Service as Vice Chairman

Published on 12/21/2018

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

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Gladys M. Brown has announced the Commissioners’ selection of David W. Sweet as Vice Chairman effective Jan. 1. He will replace Andrew G. Place, who has served as Vice Chairman since 2015 and will remain as a Commissioner with a term expiring April 1, 2020.

Chairman Brown said at Thursday’s Public Meeting that the Commissioners selected a Vice Chairman for the coming year as they are required to do under the Public Utility Code.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Vice Chairman Place for his three years of service in the role of Vice Chairman.  He has brought passion and intelligence to this role, and I know he will continue his ongoing efforts to share his knowledge base with not only us at the PUC, but also OPSI (Organization of PJM States Inc.) and NARUC (the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners),” said Chairman Brown. “We have voted to select as our Vice Chairman Commissioner David Sweet. Let me add my congratulations to Commissioner Sweet, who is fully equipped to now take on the new challenge of being the Vice Chairman beginning in 2019.”

Sweet joined the Commission following a nomination by Gov. Tom Wolf on May 4, 2016, and a Pennsylvania Senate confirmation on June 15, 2016. His five-year term expires in 2021.

In addition to his work on the Commission, Sweet is a member of the NARUC Presidential Task Force on Veterans’ Workforce, and also is leading the PUC’s efforts to encourage enhanced veterans outreach and hiring by utilities across Pennsylvania.

Prior to serving at the Commission, Sweet served as the Senior Advisor to Gov. Wolf, focusing on energy and economic development issues. Among his many assignments was serving as liaison to the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and in this role helped shape and implement the Governor’s economic growth strategy for the Philadelphia region. Sweet also served as the Governor’s designee on the Banking and Securities Commission.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping. 

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Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov