Press Release

PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank Confirmed for Second Term

Published on 6/4/2025

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

Second Term Will Focus on Grid Reliability, Consumer Protection, and the Future of Energy in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today thanked members of the Pennsylvania Senate for unanimously confirming the reappointment of Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank to a second term as Commissioner and expressed appreciation to Governor Josh Shapiro for submitting the nomination.

Chairman DeFrank was confirmed today by the Senate and will continue serving as Chairman of the Commission. His new term extends through April 1, 2030.

“I’m honored by the confidence shown by Governor Shapiro and the Senate,” said Chairman DeFrank. “At a time of fast-moving change across our energy and utility systems — from rising demand and extreme weather to cybersecurity and infrastructure modernization — the Commission’s mission remains clear: ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable service for every Pennsylvanian.”

Chairman DeFrank was sworn in this afternoon.

Originally nominated to the Commission by Governor Tom Wolf in 2022, DeFrank served as Vice Chairman before being appointed Chairman by Governor Shapiro in August 2023. Since then, he has led the Commission through a pivotal period marked by significant policy, infrastructure, and technological transitions.

Throughout his tenure as Chairman, DeFrank has emphasized the Commission’s core responsibilities of reliability, affordability, and safety, while positioning the PUC to address long-term trends and emerging risks — including our energy transition, adverse weather, infrastructure investment, cybersecurity threats, and the transformation of utility business models.

Key Initiatives Under Chairman DeFrank’s Leadership Include:

• Confronting rising electricity demand by leading Commission efforts to assess long-term grid reliability, resource adequacy, and the infrastructure needs tied to data centers, electrification, and economic growth.
  
  
• Convening a hearing on reliability and large load growth, examining how Pennsylvania can maintain a stable grid while sharing costs fairly and avoiding unnecessary burdens on existing customers.
  
  
• Accelerating infrastructure modernization across water, gas, and electric sectors — with a focus on replacing aging materials, improving system resilience, and investing in advanced technologies.
  
  
• Strengthening public safety through landmark initiatives like methane detector pilot programs, aging plastic pipe removal, and new state safety rules for hazardous liquid pipelines.
  
  
• Launching “PAPUC Forward,” a five-year strategic plan to modernize Commission operations, support staff development, and improve efficiency in regulatory processes.
  
  
• Enhancing affordability protections by expanding awareness of customer assistance programs and collaborating with partner agencies to reach vulnerable populations.
  
  
• Increasing agency transparency and efficiency through comprehensive updates to procedural regulations and an agency-wide review of utility application processes.

DeFrank continues Pennsylvania’s strong tradition of national leadership in utility regulation. In December 2024, he was named Chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Gas, a national platform addressing the delivery and regulation of natural gas. He also serves on the NARUC Board of Directors, the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations (FCC), and participates in several national energy working groups focused on advanced nuclear development and electric vehicle infrastructure.

As well, he represents Pennsylvania on the board of the Organization of PJM States (OPSI), providing oversight for PJM Interconnection — the country’s largest regional transmission organization.

Prior to joining the PUC, Chairman DeFrank spent 24 years in Pennsylvania state government, including leadership roles in the state Senate where he helped update the Public Utility Code and advanced policy initiatives involving energy, water, wastewater, and telecommunications.

A native of Fayette County, Chairman DeFrank earned his bachelor’s degree in public policy from California University of Pennsylvania. He resides in the Harrisburg area with his wife, Colleen, and their two daughters, Brynn and Paige.

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 www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly 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.

# # #

Contact:

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