Public Utility Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson Wednesday was sworn in as President of the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners.
“I’m thrilled to expand my role with MACRUC and continue to work toward advancement and uniformity of public utility regulation throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Chairman Powelson. “It’s important to work with other state public utility commissions and federal departments to collaborate, enhance and support the public interest and our industry. I’m honored to have been chosen to lead this organization.”
Chairman Powelson served as First Vice President of MACRUC from June 2013 until his recent election. He has been highly active with the organization since taking office as a PUC Commissioner in 2008.
In addition to his role with MACRUC, Chairman Powelson serves as the chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Committee on Water. In addition, he has been appointed to represent that committee on NARUC’s Task Force on Climate Policy. He also is a member of the NARUC Committee on Critical Infrastructure and a member of the NARUC Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues-Waste Disposal.
Chairman Powelson has served on the Pennsylvania PUC since June 2008, when he was first nominated by Gov. Edward G. Rendell to fill the remainder of an unexpired term. The Senate unanimously confirmed Chairman Powelson to serve as Commissioner in June 2008, and he was re-nominated by Gov. Rendell for a full five-year term on Feb. 12, 2009, once again being unanimously confirmed by the Senate.
In February 2011, Gov. Tom Corbett appointed Powelson PUC Chairman, and his re-nomination for a second five-year term was unanimously confirmed in March 2014. His term will expire April 1, 2019.
Chairman Powelson also serves as a member of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission and previously served as President of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry from 1994 to 2008.
Chairman Powelson holds 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. In 2013, Chairman Powelson was nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees at Drexel University.
