Lawrence has worked in the Pa. Office of Consumer Advocate for Two Decades
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Darryl A. Lawrence will serve as Pennsylvania’s Interim Consumer Advocate, representing Commonwealth consumers in public utility service quality and pricing matters, while the process to appoint and confirm a permanent Consumer Advocate continues.
Lawrence served most recently as Senior Assistant Consumer Advocate in the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, prior to this week’s appointment. He has been with the office since June 2005.
Public utilities include electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecom companies under either Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission jurisdiction.
“I am confident that Darryl has the experience, expertise, and commitment to public service required to represent the best interests of Pennsylvanians who demand and deserve fair pricing and high-quality when it comes to essential utilities,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I am continuing the open process of engaging with qualified candidates for the permanent position as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate.”
“It has been an honor to serve the consumers of Pennsylvania for the past 20 years in matters involving public utilities,” Lawrence said. “I look forward to continuing the important work of the Office of Consumer Advocate in this new role.”
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.
The permanent Consumer Advocate, once appointed and in place, will be confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate.
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