18622_Authority_August_Web

24 The Authority | August 2025 g overnMent r elations u pDate New Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate Daryl Lawrence was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate. Lawrence has been serving as interim Consumer Advocate since February 4 th where he has been representing Commonwealth consumers in public utility service quality and pricing matters. Darryl Lawrence has been with the Office of Consumer Advocate since June 2005 and previously held the position of Senior Assistant Consumer Advocate for the office. The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate was established by the General Assembly in 1976 to serve as the legal representative for all utility ratepayers in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate is housed in the Office of Attorney General, but functions independently. The Office of Consumer Advocate has discretion and authority to intervene in litigation on its own behalf, and has actively participated in matters before the Pennsylvania Utility Commission and in state and federal courts. PUC Chairman Confirmed for Second Term Public Utility Commission Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate for a second term. Originally nominated to the Commission by Governor Tom Wolf in 2022, DeFrank served as Vice Chairman before being appointed Chairman by Governor Shapiro in August 2023. His new term extends through April 1, 2030. DEP Secretary Confirmed Acting Secretary of DEP, Jessica Shirley, was confirmed by the State Senate. She has held multiple leadership roles at DEP, including executive deputy secretary and policy director. She expressed gratitude to DEP’s 2,600 staff, her executive team, and her family for their support. Reflecting on her 20 months as Acting Secretary, she highlighted progress made and emphasized her pride in expanding partnerships with legislators to protect Pennsylvania’s environment. Special Election - Senate Senator James Malone (D, Lancaster) was sworn into office on May 5, 2025. Senator Malone was elected to represent Senate District 36 in a special election after Ryan Aument resigned to become State Director to U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. Republicans maintained their majority in the State Senate, with a 27 to 23 advantage. Legislation HB 586 (Representative Paul Friel, Chester) - This bill would amend the Solid Waste Management Act (Act 97 of 1980) to regulate the land application and storage of food processing residuals (FPRs). The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is directed to develop and maintain a manual for the best practices for the processing, characterization, use, odor mitigation storage and application of FPRs in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and the State Conservation Commission (SCC). This bill was voted favorably by the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee. (See page 5 for article on FPRs.) HB 846 (Representative Jason Dawkins, Philadelphia) - This bill would amend the Prevailing Wage Act, Act 442 of 1961, to prohibit the practice of split rates for prevailing wage projects and adds off-site custom fabrication and HVAC duct cleaning to the types of work subject to prevailing wage requirements. This bill passed the State House of Representatives and moves to the Senate Labor and Industry Committee for consideration. PMAA signed an opposition letter with the Local Government Conference. (See Local Government Conference opposition letter on page 56.) HB 921 (Representative Nate Davidson, Dauphin, Cumberland) - This bill would amend the Human Services Code, providing for a Low- Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The purpose of the program is to assist