Press Release

PUC Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss Confirmed for Second Term

Published on 10/7/2026

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

Second term will focus on energy affordability, grid reliability, workforce development and the future of Pennsylvania's energy landscape

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today welcomed the unanimous confirmation by the Pennsylvania Senate of Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss to a second term on the Commission and thanked Governor Josh Shapiro for nominating her for reappointment.

“Commissioner Zerfuss has been a thoughtful and dedicated member of this Commission. I look forward to continuing our work together as Pennsylvania's utility industries navigate rapid change and while we remain focused on delivering safe, reliable and affordable utility service for every Pennsylvanian," noted Chairman Steve DeFrank. "I am grateful to Governor Josh Shapiro for her renomination and to the Pennsylvania Senate for its unanimous confirmation."

Commissioner Zerfuss begins her second term as Pennsylvania's utility industries continue to evolve at a historic pace, driven by growing electric demand, changing energy markets, grid modernization, emerging technologies, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining safe, reliable and affordable utility service. These developments are reshaping the Commonwealth's energy landscape and placing renewed emphasis on thoughtful regulation, long-term planning, and collaboration among utilities, policymakers, consumers and other stakeholders. Commissioner Zerfuss was reconfirmed today by the Senate. Her new term extends through April 1, 2031.

"Today, words such as affordability, reliability, resource adequacy, grid resilience, infrastructure investment and economic competitiveness have become part of everyday conversations among Pennsylvanians," said Commissioner Zerfuss. "The work of this Commission is never simply about regulations, infrastructure or economics—it is about people. Every decision we make affects families, businesses and communities across our Commonwealth. I will continue this responsibility with humility, integrity, curiosity and an unwavering commitment to serving every Pennsylvanian fairly."

Since joining the Commission in 2022, Commissioner Zerfuss has helped guide the agency through one of the most transformative periods facing Pennsylvania's utility industries, including evolving energy markets, growing electric demand, increasing focus on affordability and resource adequacy, grid modernization, emerging technologies, and long-term infrastructure planning.

Throughout her first term, Commissioner Zerfuss has focused on strengthening energy affordability, supporting responsible infrastructure investment, advancing workforce development, encouraging innovation across the utility sector, and preparing the next generation of public servants through the Commission's expanding internship and professional development initiatives.

Through her service with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Commissioner Zerfuss also continues Pennsylvania's longstanding leadership in utility regulation and energy policy at the national level. She serves as Vice Chair of NARUC's Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity, NARUC's Committees on Energy Resources and the Environment, the Committee on Gas, and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety.

In addition, Commissioner Zerfuss serves on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-NARUC collaborative addressing emerging challenges facing the utility industry; the Advisory Board of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC); and the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board.

Commissioner Zerfuss previously served as co-vice chair of the NARUC-U.S. Department of Energy Task Force on Evolving Gas Infrastructure Planning, and as a member of both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) and the Pennsylvania Agrivoltaic Farming Advisory Board.

Commissioner Zerfuss will continue serving alongside Chairman Steve DeFrank, Vice Chair Kimberly M. Barrow, Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr., and Commissioner Ralph V. Yanora in carrying out the Commission's mission of ensuring safe, reliable and affordable utility service while helping Pennsylvania prepare for the evolving energy needs of the future.

Commissioner Zerfuss grew up in Tamaqua, Schuylkill County. She is a graduate of Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County, where she earned a bachelor's degree in political science. She lives in Mechanicsburg with her husband and their three children.

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.

# # #

Contact:

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