PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank Elected Vice President of Organization of PJM States, Inc.

PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank Elected Vice President of Organization of PJM States, Inc.

Published on 10/8/2025

Filed under: Electric

Election underscores Chairman DeFrank's ongoing leadership in regional and national energy policy discussions

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank has been elected Vice President of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI) - the intergovernmental organization of utility regulatory agencies from 14 jurisdictions within the PJM regional transmission footprint.

OPSI represents the collective interests of public policy makers throughout the PJM Interconnection, one of the world's largest regional transmission operators, which manages the high-voltage electric grid and wholesale power markets serving more than 65 million people across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. As part of that mission, OPSI engages regularly with PJM staff and stakeholders, and intervenes in regulatory proceedings pertaining to the region's energy markets.

"I'm honored by the confidence of my colleagues from across the PJM region," said Chairman DeFrank. "At a time when our energy systems are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities, it's essential that Pennsylvania continues to have a strong voice in the regional and national conversations shaping our shared energy future. Whether it's ensuring reliability, supporting affordability, or embracing innovation, collaboration among states is key to meeting the needs of our consumers and communities."

Chairman DeFrank previously served on the OPSI Board of Directors and is also an active member of several other national and regional organizations focused on energy reliability, infrastructure, and consumer affordability - including the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Board of Directors, NARUC's Committee on Gas, and the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC) Board of Directors.

Chairman DeFrank was appointed PUC Chairman by Governor Josh Shapiro in August 2023 and was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve a second term as Commissioner in June 2025. He has emphasized a balanced, "all-of-the-above" approach to energy policy - promoting efforts to guarantee resource adequacy, modernize aging infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance affordability programs for utility customers.

The Organization of PJM States, Inc. is composed of utility regulatory agencies from 13 states and the District of Columbia that are wholly or partly within PJM's service area. OPSI members include Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. While OPSI members collaborate as a regional body, each agency maintains its independent authority as the statutory regulator within its respective jurisdiction.

The PUC continues to play an active role in addressing energy challenges across Pennsylvania and the PJM region - including the impact of evolving generation resources, the growth of energy-intensive industries such as data centers, and the need for continued investment in reliable and resilient utility infrastructure.

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.

Visit the PUC's website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the "Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission" or "PA PUC" on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen Press Secretary 717-418-2701 [email protected]