This fall, Patrick Cicero, Director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP), was appointed to multiple committees that will allow him to strongly advocate on behalf of low-income utility consumers.
Patrick was appointed as Chairman of the LIHEAP Advisory Committee (LAC) to the Department of Human Services by Secretary Ted Dallas. As outlined in Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP Fiscal Year 2016 Proposed State Plan, the LAC “advises DHS in planning the use and distribution of LIHEAP funds. Members of the Advisory Committee, who are appointed by the Secretary, represent a wide cross-section of consumer and advocacy interests, service providers, fuel associations, and other concerned citizens of the Commonwealth.”
He was additionally appointed to the Weatherization Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) of the PA Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCED). The DCED Weatherization PAC meets quarterly to provide comments and recommendations for the annual state plan, which is submitted to the Department of Energy.
Finally, Patrick also was appointed to the PA Public Utility Commission Consumer Advisory Council. Replacing former Director of PULP, Harry Geller, who served as both Chair and Vice Chair of the committee, Patrick will assist the council in advising PUC Commissioners on “matters related to the protection of consumer interests.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to succeed Harry as PULP’s representative on each of these committees. The work done here is important because it allows PULP to provide a voice for its low-income clients at the policy level of the three state agencies whose polices directly impact utility affordability and weatherization assistance. I look forward to continuing Harry’s legacy of zealous and professional advocacy on behalf of Pennsylvania’s most economically vulnerable households.”
Congratulations, Patrick! Check back on the blog to hear more about PULP’s important work.