ROYERSFORD January 16, 2025 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) released the following statement in response to the resignation of Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero who has served as Consumer Advocate since December 2021.

“Since taking office, I have made it a priority to protect consumer rights in SD44 and across the Commonwealth. One of the strongest allies in that fight was Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero. With his departure, Pennsylvanians are losing an important nonpartisan voice who was willing to stand up against corporate greed and price gouging. In a Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing held last year, Mr. Cicero highlighted the work of his office and state laws that have been far more favorable to private entities than consumers. The private acquisitions of public water and wastewater systems – directly due to the fair market value provision in Act 12 of 2016 which allows the dollar value of water systems to include not just pipes and plants but market factors such as their worth to the community, allowing them to be sold at much higher prices – have cost or will cost consumers at least $85 million more each year for water and wastewater service than they would have without this law. These are the battles that the Consumer Advocate fought and it is my hope that, whoever is nominated by the incoming Attorney General, will continue to fight.” 

“It is critical for the public to remain engaged and to have their voices heard as water, wastewater and other utility rates continue to soar across the Commonwealth. Under Mr. Cicero’s leadership, the Office of Consumer Advocate made an extraordinary effort to protect constituents from being exploited by large utility corporations by fighting for fair and equitable rates. I want to thank Mr. Cicero for his tireless efforts to advocate for all Pennsylvania ratepayers and for his willingness to provide his input and expertise at several of our Policy Committee hearings over the past few years.”

“Mr. Cicero’s resignation is a stark reminder of how the influence of for-profit entities can hinder the process of good government.”

Under Section 201(b) of Act 164 of 1980 in Pennsylvania law, the Consumer Advocate is appointed by the Attorney General and must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Pennsylvania Senate. The Consumer Advocate, who works within the office of the Attorney General, acts as a voice for consumers in disputes with their electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water or wastewater service.  The Consumer Advocate represents the interests of Pennsylvania utility consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts.