Press Release

PUC Appoints Kimberly A Hafner as Director of the Office of Special Assistants

Published on 12/7/2023

Filed under: Consumer Education Electric Gas Motor Carrier Pipeline Rails Telecommunications Transportation and Safety Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced the appointment of Kimberly A. Hafner as Director of the Office of Special Assistants (OSA), effective immediately. Hafner had been serving as the Commission’s acting Director of OSA since July 2023.

“Kim has remained a respected and valued member of the Commission for more than two decades,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “Her knowledge and experience with Commission issues will prove valuable in this new role as Director.”

As Director, Hafner will lead the Office of Special Assistants, which is the Commission’s advisory support bureau, providing legal and technical advice to the Commission primarily regarding challenges to Administrative Law Judge decisions, as well as policy issues; drafts proposed Opinions and Orders containing a review of the facts, the applicable law and a proposed resolution of the issues raised in contested proceedings; drafts Opinions and Orders pursuant to Motions adopted at Public Meeting; and reviews Petitions for Relief following the issuance of Commission Orders.

Since 2018, Hafner has served as deputy director in the OSA – reviewing bureau recommendations for consideration by the Offices of the Commissioners on matters filed at the Commission including major rate cases, policy, complaint cases, investigations, etc. pertaining to both fixed and transportation utilities and involving highly complex regulatory, technical, financial and economic issues; assisting with the interview and hiring process for bureau employees; and assisting the Bureau Director in all aspects of the operations of the bureau.

Hafner received her bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University and her law degree from The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University. Prior to coming to the Commission and being employed as an Assistant Counsel in the Law Bureau in 1999, Hafner served as Assistant Counsel on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board. During her tenure at the Commission, she spent time in the Office of Administrative Law Judge, and also on the staffs of former Commissioner and Chairman Glen R. Thomas and former Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell. In those positions she has handled telecommunications, electric, natural gas, water/wastewater and transportation matters and has represented the Commission in various capacities including at regional and federal agencies.

Hafner replaces former Director of OSA Kathryn Sophy, who retired from the Commission in June.

About the PUC

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 PUC 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” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov
• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov