Senate Confirms New Commissioner To Pennsylvania PUC

The Pennsylvania State Senate confirmed Norman Kennard to a position as Commissioner of the Pennsylvania PUC, in a 49-0 approval vote.

Kennard is serving the remainder of the term of former Commissioner Robert Powelson, who resigned from the PUC in August upon his confirmation to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Kennard’s term will expire March 31, 2019.

Prior to his appointment to the Commission, Kennard most recently served as counsel to Commissioner Powelson, providing legal and policy advice on electric, natural gas, water, telecommunications and transportation issues. During this time, Kennard played a role in the Commission’s response to the 2014 Polar Vortex

Prior to his tenure with Commissioner Powelson, Kennard worked for over thirty years in private legal practice where he represented a highly diverse client base covering consumer and utility issues in the gas, water, electric and telephone sectors. During his time in private practice, Kennard was also heavily involved in shaping the successful implementation of the Pennsylvania natural gas transportation reforms (the precursor to the Natural Gas Choice Act), and the negotiation of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act and power generation contracts.

Kennard began his career in public service, litigating public utility issues on behalf of consumers at the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate. Thereafter, he served as counsel to Commissioner Clifford L. Jones, advising him on regulatory issues including natural gas competition, rate case reform, and telephone deregulation initiatives.