HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett appointed Robert F. Powelson of Chester County to serve as chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PUC. Powelson has served as a PUC commissioner since June 2008.
“As a commissioner, Robert Powelson has provided an active voice for Pennsylvania ratepayers on issues such as nuclear power production, competitive markets, renewable investment, broadband deployment, infrastructure development and other critical concerns,” Gov. Corbett said. “I am confident consumers and businesses will continue to be well-served by the PUC under Powelson’s leadership.”
Powelson was first nominated by former Governor Rendell to a one-year term on the PUC and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on June 30, 2008. He was renominated for a five-year term on Feb. 12, 2009, and was again unanimously confirmed on April 22, 2009. His term expires on April 1, 2014.
Powelson was recently appointed as co-vice chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, or NARUC, Committee on Water. In addition, he has been appointed to represent that committee on NARUC’s Task Force on Climate Policy. He is also a member of the NARUC Committee on Critical Infrastructure and a member of the NARUC Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues-Waste Disposal.
Powelson previously served as the president of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, where he also held other job titles and helped to develop the county’s economic development strategy. In 2005, he was selected by the Eisenhower Presidential Fellows to be a U.S. fellow in Singapore and Australia.
From 1990-91, Powelson served as a staff assistant to U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon.
Powelson earned a Bachelor of Administration degree from St. Joseph’s University and a Master of Governmental Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in public finance.
A Delaware County native, Powelson and his wife, Lauren, and their two sons live in Kennett Square.
The PUC balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.
The PUC is comprised of five, full-time members who serve staggered, five-year terms. Commissioners set policy on matters affecting utility rates and services, as well as on personnel, budget, fiscal and administrative matters. More information is available at www.puc.state.pa.us.