Senate Confirms Bill Shane for State Panel

Indiana man will return to Public Utility Commission

The State Senate today confirmed the nomination of Bill Shane of Indiana to serve as a member of the state Public Utility Commission, according to Senator Don White, R-41st Senatorial District.

Shane previously served on the PUC from May 1987 to June 1990 and served as its chairman during part of that time. Citing Shane's record of public service and academic accomplishments, Senator White said the confirmation process was rather simple.

"Usually when we consider a nominee, we tend to say that the person is experienced or well qualified for the position they are looking to fill," Senator White said. "However, with Bill Shane, even those phrases could be considered understatements. When you consider that Bill Shane was a state Representative from 1971 to 1976 and has also served as a Borough Councilman in Indiana and as an Indiana County Commissioner, it's a given that he knows a bit about the inter-relationship between local, county and state governments."

Shane's extensive record of public service is equaled by an impressive list of academic accomplishments. He holds a degree in economics from Harvard and a Juris Doctor Degree from University of Pennsylvania Law School.

"Even beyond those achievements, and as a measurement of the man, you only need consider the steps Bill Shane has taken within the academic community to improve the quality of life for others," Senator White said. "As the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Penn Law School, Bill started and directed a special tutorial and counseling program for minority high school students at the Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Later, as a professor and assistant director of admissions at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he founded the Educational Opportunity Program for minority students."

Commissioner Shane may be reached at 412-491-9322 for additional comment.