Jun 15, 2016 2 min read

HARRISBURG – David Sweet, who formerly represented the Canonsburg area in the state Legislature, was confirmed 49-0 Wednesday by the state Senate as a member of the Public Utility Commission.

Gov. Tom Wolf nominated Sweet last month.

Sweet, who lives in Philadelphia, is expected to be sworn in today. He received a unanimous recommendation by the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

In his confirmation hearing remarks, Sweet pledged to be “a responsible and respectful watchdog for consumers,” emphasizing the importance of educating consumers on their utility service and options in the competitive marketplace.

Before his appointment to the commission, Sweet was a senior adviser to Wolf, focusing on energy and economic development.

In this role, he served as liaison to Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, helping to spearhead the governor’s economic growth strategy for the Philadelphia region.

Sweet served in the state House from 1977 to 1988 and helped enact major legislation on local tax reform, help for distressed municipalities and land use and zoning regulations.

In private law practice, Sweet chaired Gov. Bob Casey’s Commission on Corrections Planning and Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s State Government Committee. He also served as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel and special counsel in public and project finance for projects throughout Pennsylvania. Additionally, Sweet was campaign manager for Ed Rendell’s 2002 campaign and went on to serve as executive director of Rendell’s transition team.

For most of his career, Sweet was a partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP and Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, two major law firms in Pennsylvania, focusing on administrative and regulatory matters, legislative advocacy and public finance.