Former Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli Joins Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney in its Energy Section

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Mar 10, 2010, 02:47 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kim Pizzingrilli, former Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioner, joined Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC as a government relations professional in its Energy & Utility Law Section. Pizzingrilli was nominated by Governors Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker and Edward G. Rendell and was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate and sworn in three consecutive times to finish an expiring term and to serve two terms as commissioner. She has more than 28 years of state government experience with a particular focus on government regulation, public interest, consumer protection and economic development through effective negotiation of workable solutions.

"I have worked with Kim for years on regulatory issues, and her background and expertise make her a perfect fit for our firm's clients," stated John Quain, chair of the firm's Energy and Utility Law Section. Buchanan also has an Energy and Natural Resources Industry Group, which serves clients in the oil and gas, Marcellus shale and coal industries.

Pizzingrilli added, "I am excited to be part of the team at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, a firm known for its exceptional legal and government relations services."

As a commissioner, Pizzingrilli helped lead a 500-employee, $50-million-a-year state agency that affects every Pennsylvanian through its regulation of energy, telecommunications, water and transportation services. She focused on a number of critical utility issues related to: service reliability, alternative energy, demand side and energy efficiency programs, gas safety, telecommunications policy and the impact of federal legislation on Pennsylvania ratepayers. Pizzingrilli served as lead commissioner for consumer education, including campaigns related to electric, natural gas and telephone utility competition; Telecommunications Relay Service; 8-1-1 for safe digging; and "Prepare Now," helping to educate consumers about how to prepare for higher energy costs.

Pizzingrilli served on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Natural Gas Committee and as the Pennsylvania representative on the Mid-Atlantic Distributed Resource Initiative Steering Committee and the Midwest Demand Response Initiative Steering Committee. She formerly served as a member on the Board of the Organization of Midwest States and as its past Treasurer.

Before joining the Public Utility Commission, she served as secretary of the Commonwealth, under Governors Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker. As secretary, she was responsible for the Department of State, a state agency that protects the public welfare through licensing business, health and real estate professionals; maintaining registration and financial information for charities soliciting contributions; overseeing the electoral process; and maintaining corporate filings.

Prior to being appointed secretary of the Commonwealth, Pizzingrilli served the Department of State as deputy secretary for Regulatory Programs. She began her career in state government in 1981 with the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. From 1987 until her service in the Department of State, she served with the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission..

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