PA Environment Digest Blog: PUC Chairman DeFrank Leads National Effort To Strengthen Natural Gas Use Energy Efficiency, Reliability, And Sustainability

On July 30, a resolution introduced by Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank, supporting the advancement of natural gas energy efficiency programs for commercial and industrial (C&I) customers, has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).

The resolution was initially approved earlier this week by the NARUC Committee on Gas, which is chaired by Chairman DeFrank, during the association’s 2025 Summer Policy Summit.

DeFrank is also a member of the NARUC Board, as is PAPUC Vice Chair Kimberly M. Barrow, who both supported the resolution on gas energy efficiency programs.

The newly adopted resolution encourages state utility commissions across the country to recognize and expand the role of natural gas energy efficiency in helping commercial and industrial customers meet growing energy needs, improve resilience, and support sustainability and economic development goals.

“In Pennsylvania, we’ve seen firsthand the success of well-designed Energy Efficiency and Conservation programs, including mandatory electric and voluntary natural gas programs,” said Chairman DeFrank. “With rapidly growing demand for energy — especially from commercial and industrial users — it’s vital that we use every tool in the toolbox to improve efficiency, better integrate our gas and electric systems, and control long-term energy costs for consumers and businesses alike.”

Natural gas utilities nationwide are adding an estimated 80 new business customers each day, with C&I customers representing more than 40 percent of total U.S. gas use.

In 2022 alone, gas utilities reported over 40,000 commercial and industrial accounts participating in energy efficiency programs, resulting in substantial energy savings and aligning with both customer sustainability goals and broader emissions reduction efforts.

The resolution adopted by NARUC:

-- Encourages state commissions to recognize natural gas energy efficiency as a valuable resource;

-- Supports the inclusion of non-energy benefits and avoided emissions in cost-effectiveness testing;

-- Backs regulatory approaches that allow prudent recovery of utility efficiency investments;

-- Promotes advanced technologies such as combined heat and power (CHP), gas heat pumps, and networked geothermal systems; and

-- Calls for collaboration among utilities, customers, technology providers, and federal and state agencies to demonstrate and scale new efficiency solutions.

NARUC is the national association representing state public service commissioners who regulate essential utility services, including energy, telecommunications, water, and transportation.

Its members serve on the utility commissions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Click Here for the PUC announcement.

Resource Links - PA PUC:

-- Guest Essay: Rewriting The Energy Story — Together - By Stephen M. DeFrank, Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission [PaEN]

-- PUC: Brace For Higher Electric Bills As A Result Of Soaring Power Use; Consumers Should Review Energy Options [PaEN]

-- 30 Stakeholder Comments Received By PUC On Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania; Increasing Natural Gas Power Plant Reliability To 90-95% Would Mean No Imminent Capacity Problem [PaEN]

-- PUC Invites Stakeholder Comments On The Issue Of The Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania [Background On Issue] [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - July 26 to August 1- Coterra Contaminates 13 More Water Wells; Shale Driller Fails To Restore 16 Well Sites; Dewatering Abandoned Impoundment Halted; Another Pipeline Construction Spill [PaEN]

-- Coterra Energy Fined $299,000 For Contaminating 13 Private Water Supplies In Lenox Twp., Susquehanna County - Just A Few Miles From Dimock [PaEN]

-- Pin Oak Energy Partners Signs Consent Order With DEP To Address Its Failure To Restore 16 Shale Gas Well Sites And An Impoundment In Beaver County Since 2023 [PaEN]

-- DEP: Second Spill From Horizontal Drilling At EQM Gathering Pipeline Construction Project In Washington County Contaminates Spring [PaEN]