Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

01/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/17/2025 10:17

PUC Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss Appointed to National Committees on Gas and Pipeline Safety

PUC Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss Appointed to National Committees on Gas and Pipeline Safety

Published on 1/17/2025

Filed under: Gas

New Role Reinforces PUC's Commitment to Safe, Efficient, and Economical Utility Services

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced that Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss has been appointed to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Gas and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety.

These appointments, made by NARUC President Tricia Pridemore, highlight Commissioner Zerfuss's commitment to ensuring the safe, efficient, and economical delivery of natural gas and reflect the PUC's long-standing leadership in addressing critical utility issues at a national level.

"The safe, efficient, and economical delivery of natural gas is a critical component of our energy future," Commissioner Zerfuss said. "I am excited to collaborate with national leaders and federal partners through the NARUC Committee on Gas and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety to address evolving challenges and build a more secure and sustainable energy system for consumers."

The NARUC Committee on Gas fosters awareness and understanding of key issues impacting the transportation, distribution, and sale of natural gas, while the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety focuses on critical pipeline safety concerns. Members of these groups collaborate closely with federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation.

Commissioner Zerfuss has been an active participant in NARUC initiatives, serving on the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment and as co-vice chair of the NARUC-U.S. Department of Energy Task Force on Evolving Gas Infrastructure Planning. She also contributes to discussions on energy affordability through her role on the Advisory Board of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC). In Pennsylvania, her work as a PUC commissioner reflects over two decades of leadership in government affairs, with a focus on energy, environmental concerns, education, and affordability.

PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank, who was recently appointed as Chair of the NARUC Committee on Gas, congratulated Commissioner Zerfuss on her appointment. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges and opportunities in the natural gas sector.

"With Commissioner Zerfuss joining the NARUC Committee on Gas, Pennsylvania continues its proud tradition of leadership in addressing critical utility issues," Chairman DeFrank said. "Her insight and commitment to workforce development and energy policy will greatly enhance our efforts to tackle challenges in natural gas safety and infrastructure reliability on a national scale."

Chairman DeFrank also underscored the importance of Pennsylvania's active role in national utility discussions. His leadership as Chair of the NARUC Committee on Gas complements the PUC's ongoing commitment to ensuring reliable, safe, and affordable utility services for consumers.

Commissioner Zerfuss's appointment ensures that Pennsylvania will remain at the forefront of national discussions about energy safety and efficiency, continuing the state's long history of meaningful contributions to regulatory innovation and collaboration.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

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