Pennsylvania PUC appoints Kanaskie as Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement director

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) named Richard A. Kanaskie on Thursday as the new director of the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), a bureau that oversees the integrity of ratemaking processes in Pennsylvania.

“During his service at the commission, Richard has been an integral part of our prosecution and investigation processes,” PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown said. “His knowledge of utility investigation and enforcement issues and Commission operations will suit him well in his new position.”

Kanaskie currently serves as the Bureau of I&E deputy chief prosecutor. He will replace Johnnie Simms, who recently retired.

In the new position, Kanaskie will be in charge of overseeing I&E operations and cases presented by the bureau, including enforcing regulatory compliance in the interest of public protection and safety.

Kanaskie has served the PUC since 2001. He began his service with the organization as a prosecutor for its Office of Trial Staff, and has worked his way up as a senior prosecutor over the past 15 years. Within the PUC, he has been responsible for overseeing prosecutions and investigations, both within and outside of the courtroom.

The Bureau of I&E is an independent prosecutor bureau of the PUC that is responsible for overseeing the lawful operations of public utilities.