In 1987, Brownell served as the Deputy Executive Assistant to Pennsylvania Governor
Richard Thornburgh. Her career in energy began when she served as a Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) from 1997 to 2001. On April 30, 2001 President George W. Bush nominated Brownell to serve as a
Commissioner for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Her nomination was confirmed by the
United States Senate a month later on May 25. She served until July 21, 2006. Following the conclusion of her term as a Commissioner with FERC, Brownell helped found the energy consulting firm, ESPY Energy Solutions, based in
Alexandria, Virginia. She served as the Board Chair for
Pacific Gas and Electric. She has been a Board Member for many corporations including
National Grid,
Spectra Energy,
Oncor Electric Delivery, and
Times Publishing Company. In addition, she has lectured at the
University of Vermont Law School,
Michigan State University, and the
University of Idaho. ==References==