Senate Unanimously Approves Norman Kennard As PUC Commissioner

The Senate Tuesday voted to approved Norman Kennard from Dauphin County as a member of the Public Utility Commission.

The PUC thanked the Senate for its support of his nomination and Gov. Tom Wolf, who nominated Kennard to serve as a Commissioner.

“The PUC is keenly focused on serving the public interest, and Norman’s extensive experience in public utility issues – touching on consumer, utility and regulatory issues – will serve the Commission well,” said Chairman Gladys M. Brown.  “We look forward to his input and insights as we work to tackle a diverse list of complicated matters, ranging from access to natural gas and assistance for troubled water systems to cybersecurity and broadband enhancements.”

Commissioner Kennard was unanimously approved by the Senate, following a unanimous recommendation earlier in the day by the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.  He will be sworn in later this week during a brief ceremony in Harrisburg.

Commissioner Kennard is serving the remainder of the term of former Commissioner Robert F. 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.

In his confirmation hearing remarks, Commissioner Kennard recognized the PUC’s work in “addressing the big challenges that change the markets and the industries it regulates,” and in “maintaining the Commission’s core dual mission of safe and adequate service, along with just and reasonable rates.”

“It will be an honor to serve along with the Chairman and Commissioners at the PUC, which is a venerated institution with many talented and dedicated employees,” Kennard said.  “I also look forward to working with the General Assembly on the challenging utility issues that need to be addressed.”

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 with the Licensure of Transportation Network Companies, such as Uber and Lyft; the Commission’s response to the 2014 Polar Vortex; needed natural gas pipeline construction and infrastructure improvements under the Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) mechanism; deregulation of local telephone service; and the acquisition of municipal water and wastewater companies.

Prior to his tenure with Commissioner Powelson, Kennard worked for thirty plus 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.  

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), the Chapter 30 broadband infrastructure renewal legislation, 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.

Kennard received his bachelor’s degree from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, and then went on to earn his law degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.  

He and his wife, Anne, reside in the Harrisburg area and are the parents of two adult daughters, Lauren and Sara.

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