Press Release

PUC Welcomes New Commissioner Kim Barrow, Thanks Senate for Confirmation Votes, Governor for Nomination

Published on 8/30/2023

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

 Veteran PUC Employee Accepts Seat on Commission

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today welcomed Kim Barrow in her new position as Commissioner.  The Commission thanked Gov. Josh Shapiro for his nomination, along with the Pennsylvania Senate for its support of Barrow’s nomination.

As outgoing PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille highlighted when introducing Barrow for her confirmation hearing, “Kim Barrow’s dedication and commitment to the goals and mission of the Commission will benefit the Commission and the people of this Commonwealth. I have no doubt that her depth of knowledge on utility issues will prove to be beneficial in the years to come.”

Barrow’s appointment was unanimously approved today by the Pennsylvania Senate, following unanimous recommendations on August 30^th by the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. Commissioner Barrow will be sworn in during a private ceremony in Harrisburg.

Commissioner Barrow Background

Barrow has been involved in the utility regulation industry for more than two decades.  

In written testimony submitted to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, Commissioner Barrow said, “The mission of the PUC is to balance the needs of consumers and utilities. Achieving that balance between the needs of consumers and utilities is difficult, but as a veteran PUC employee, as an attorney and as a mother, I am up to that challenge of balancing important competing interests. I already do that every day.”

In her testimony, Barrow cited her “dual priorities, affordability and reliability, these two priorities are what matter to ratepaying customers, and I will keep my focus on them.”

Most recently, Barrow has served as Chief of Staff for Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille since 2013. As part of her service in the Chairman’s Office, she provided advice regarding the legal and policy implications of electric, gas, water and transportation matters pending before the Commission; evaluated the impact of state and federal legislation on ratepayers, utility operations, and Commission functions; and communicated with consumers, utility executives and government officials regarding the Commission’s role and initiatives.

From 2008 to 2013, Barrow served as Chief of Staff in the Office of Commissioner Wayne E. Gardner, where she provided legal advice regarding utility regulation, reviewed draft public utility legislation, and authored statements of policy for the Commissioner.  

Starting as a staff attorney at the Commission in 2001, she spent several years practicing administrative regulatory law. In this role, Barrow prepared reports, final orders and statutory interpretations; drafted recommendations to the Commission consistent with statutory law and applicable precedents; and investigated appeals of Administrative Law Judge decisions to advise the Commission regarding resolution. She served as legal counsel to the Pennsylvania Telecommunications Relay Service Board, made up of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or have speech and language disorders.

Prior to her career at the Commission, Barrow spent time working as a Law Clerk for the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board in Harrisburg.

Barrow is an alumna of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish. She received her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov