PUC

Hundreds of thousands of people face utility shutoffs as pandemic surges

This article discusses the ending of the utility moratorium in Pennsylvania, which expired on November 9th, 2020. As of June, 800,000 customers were at risk of a utility shut-off post-moratorium, but that number is likely higher now. According to PUC's order, anyone whose household income...Read more

Performance incentive mechanisms can support broad policy goals, RMI finds

Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMs) are being considered to nudge utilities' behaviors and have been successful in states like New York and Rhode Island. Hawaii implemented shared savings mechanisms which include solar development and storage. Effective PIMs do require a move away from '...Read more

Pennsylvania Utility Commission Emergency Order

The order begins by giving some background. On March 6th, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf ordered an emergency declaration set to be active up to 90 days unless renewed. Then, on March 11th, 2020, The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

The declaration then goes on to state:...Read more

Unpaid Pa. utility bills soar 68% in the pandemic, and thousands face shutoffs next month

This article documents the end of the utility shutoffs suspension in Pennsylvania, which will take place on November 9, 2020.  

Utilities have said that the moratorium, which was enacted in March, has not led to an increase in payment plan applications, but has instead led to an...Read more

PUC Seeks Comment on Proposed Settlements with Retail Energy SuppliersConcerning Sales & Marketing Practices

This article is a press release by Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission following recent investigations into misleading marketing outlets on the part of Pennsylvania energy suppliers. Following the investigations, NG&E will have to pay civil penalties and contribute to hardship funds in...Read more

Central Pa. landowners relieved as PUC rejects controversial powerline project: ‘We fought hard’

In yet another decision in favor of utility users in Pennsylvania, the PUC voted against building a new pipeline that would have taken land away from 200 landowners, including farmers and business owners. The article brings forward several discussions that have made their way into discussions of...Read more

PUC Issues For Public Comment Settlement Under Which Retail Supplier Would Pay $188,000

The Pennsylvania PUC has brought sanctions against Eligo Energy for using deceptive marketing materials between January 2019 and March 2020. Eligo Energy sent out mailers with 'Final Notice' on customers' electric bills, even when seasonal moratoriums were in place or when there was no cause for...Read more

PUC Prohibits Utility Terminations, Consistent with Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency

On March 13th, 2020, the Pennsylvania Utility Commission put out this press release which informed readers that Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille signed an emergency order prohibiting electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunication and...Read more

Peco improperly shut off nearly 50,000 customers because of computer glitches

PECO, the Philadelphia electric utility company, has agreed to pay $75,000 in penalties under a proposed settlement with the Pennsylvania...Read more

PECO Seeks Rate Increase Of 9 Percent For Average Household

On March 30, PECO

submitted a rate increase request to the PUC which would provide with PECO approximately $246 million per year, a boost of roughly 7 percent. If the entire increase is approved, PECO estimates the average residential customer, using 700 kilowatts per hour, would see their...Read more

Utilities can soon cut off nonpaying customers, Pa. says, but the poorest customers are protected

The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted 3-1 to terminate the shutoffs but put safeguards in place to protect the most vulnerable. According to the article, “The PUC’s order will still prohibit utilities from shutting off “protected customers” whose income is no more than...Read more

Subscribe to PUC