Press Release

PUC Appoints New Chief Counsel

Published on 9/21/2023

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 David E. Screven as Chief Counsel of the Commission, effective immediately.  Screven had been serving as the Commission’s acting executive deputy chief counsel since April 2023.

“David has been a valued member of the Commission’s Law Bureau for more than two decades,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank.  “We look forward to him bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to this new role as Chief Counsel.  It is well-deserved and I wish him congratulations and good luck.”

As chief counsel, Screven will lead the PUC’s Law Bureau, which provides legal support to the Commissioners and various Commission bureaus on regulatory issues involving public utilities and other legal matters involving the PUC.  Attorneys from the Law Bureau also represent the Commission in cases heard by state and federal courts and help formulate PUC input to federal agencies, the courts and the legislature when public utility issues arise.

Since 2019, Screven has served as a deputy chief counsel in the PUC’s Law Bureau – managing all telecommunications, broadband access, pole attachments and other energy issues.  In addition to providing legal advice on the regulation of the telecommunications, electric, natural gas and transportation industries, Screven has represented the Commission before the appellate courts of Pennsylvania and before various federal agencies, including but not limited to the Federal Communications Commission.

A resident of Harrisburg, Screven received his bachelor’s degree from Messiah College and his law degree from Widener University Commonwealth School of Law.  Prior to coming to the Commission and being employed as an Assistant Counsel in the Law Bureau in 1998, Screven worked in the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Torts Litigation Division – and in the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s Bureau of Workers Compensation.

Screven replaces former Chief Counsel Renardo “Rick” Hicks, who retired from the Commission in April.

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