Press Release

PUC Commissioner Zerfuss Appointed to Federal and State Current Issues Collaborative

Published on 9/4/2025

Filed under: Electric Gas

Continues PA’s Strong Leadership in National Utility Discussions Related to Reliability, Infrastructure, Markets and Technology Challenges

HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss has been appointed to a national Federal and State Current Issues Collaborative, as one of 10 positions representing state utility commissions and key regions on the Collaborative.

Commissioner Zerfuss was appointed by Tricia Pridemore, President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), as one of two state commission representatives from the Mid-Atlantic region – continuing Pennsylvania’s ongoing influence and leadership in national utility discussions.  She succeeds PUC Vice Chair Kim Barrow, who served this past year on the Collaborative and, prior to that, on the Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission.

“Utility regulatory priorities are evolving rapidly for both state and federal jurisdictions, driven by a new set of challenges, aging infrastructure and advanced technology,” said Commissioner Zerfuss.  “In meeting these challenges, this Collaborative is a vital network in continuing constructive dialogues between federal and state regulators. 

“I welcome the opportunity to continue the great work initiated by Vice Chair Kim Barrow’s representation of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region last year, and to work closely with other utility regulators in addressing critical issues related to reliability, sustainability and affordability.”

The Collaborative is a joint effort by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and NARUC addressing and finding solutions for critical challenges in the utility sector.

Established by FERC in March 2024, the Collaborative is the most recent effort bringing together federal and state utility regulators – following the Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission.  The Collaborative provides a venue for federal and state regulators to share perspectives, improve understanding and, where appropriate, identify potential solutions regarding challenges and coordination on matters that affect specific state and federal regulatory jurisdictions.

The Collaborative addresses a wide range of crucial topics, including:

• Electric reliability and resource adequacy;
• Natural gas-electric coordination;
• Wholesale and retail markets;
• New technologies and innovations; and
• Infrastructure development.

“For more than 100 years, state public utility commissioners have planned, managed, studied, and led our nation’s essential energy services,” noted NARUC President and Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore when announcing the nominees for this initiative. “This year’s state members of the FERC-NARUC Collaborative carry on this legacy and establish critical communications with federal partners.”

Appointed participants on the Federal and State Current Issues Collaborative will serve one-year terms, which can be renewed for up to three years.

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